The Atlanta Falcons are doing their best this offseason to begin to remake the defense in Jeff Ulbrich’s image after hiring the longtime coach to be the new defensive coordinator heading into the 2025 season. Part of the overhaul includes adding a new defensive back from the Kansas City Chiefs who they hope will compete for meaningful reps.

Former Chiefs’ corner Keith Taylor was allowed to test the open market, and the Falcons announced the news that they’d signed him in free agency on Friday.

Keith Taylor now has a chance to make his impact felt in Jeff Ulbrich’s new defense.

Taylor felt like a potential re-signing for the Chiefs this spring, even after letting him hit free agency. He was a preseason hit for the Chiefs and ended up playing in 11 games, primarily on special teams. He played 79 reps on defense as the secondary had to shift around Jaylen Watson’s injury. With Kristian Fulton signed to play a major role in ’25, Taylor would have faced an even tougher climb up the Chiefs’ depth chart in ’25.

WIth the Falcons, Taylor, who entered the NFL as the Carolina Panthers’ fifth-round choice in the 2021 NFL Draft, joins former Chiefs corners Mike Hughes and Lamar Jackson in Atlanta for the coming season.

As for the Falcons defense, their import of Taylor is just one of numerous moves that need to be made on the part of a defense that struggles in all phases. The Falcons defense has a talent deficiency, and rushing the passer has been the ghost they’ve been chasing for years—something that won’t get any easier after allowing Grady Jarrett to leave this offseason.