The Falcons have been on the brink of a playoff berth for the last three seasons but due to poor play at the quarterback position, they haven't been able to get over the hump. Over the 2024 NFL offseason, the team signed free agent Kirk Cousins and drafted Michael Penix Jr. to solidify the quarterback position for the next decade.

Cousins undoubtedly makes Atlanta a better team, but all this focus on quarterbacks caused some of the other positions to be overlooked. With lingering questions on defense, particularly in the secondary and outside linebacker position, the Falcons made two major moves just as training camp wrapped up.

First, the team traded a third-round pick to the Patriots for edge rusher Matthew Judon. Then, Atlanta signed Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons. Both players should have a noticeable impact on the defense this season. ESPN's Ben Solak compiled a list of every NFL team's "X factor" for 2024 and the 32-year-old Judon was selected for the Falcons:

X factors for all 32 NFL teams: Which players could help define the season?

As Solak pointed out, the Falcons lost their top two sack leaders from 2023 (Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree). Judon is a welcome addition who has played some of his best football over the last three years. In 2021, Judon racked up 12.5 sacks, then topped that number with 15.5 sacks in 2022.

While the former Patriots outside linebacker missed 13 games in 2024, he still finished with four sacks. Judon totaled 32 sacks over 38 games for the Patriots from 2021-2023.

The Falcons don't have a ton of depth at outside linebacker, but third-year man Arnold Ebiketie has been a consistent source of pressure off the edge. Plus, Lorenzo Carter is a capable veteran with some versatility. The loss of rookie Bralen Trice prompted Atlanta to pull off the trade for Judon.

Unlike in recent seasons, the Falcons should have enough offensive firepower to overcome any defensive shortcomings. Perhaps that six-year postseason drought can finally end in 2024.

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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN names Falcons defender as 'X factor' for 2024 NFL season