DeAngelo Malone

DeAngelo Malone (born July 12, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Early life Malone grew up in Ellenwood, Georgia and originally attended Martin Luther King Jr. High School before transferring to Cedar Grove High School. He recorded 49 tackles with eight tackles for loss and was named first-team All-State and All-Metro by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as Cedar Grove won the AAA state championship. Rated a three-star recruit, Malone committed to play college football at Western Kentucky over an offer from Buffalo. As a sophomore, he was named honorable mention All-Conference USA (C-USA)after finishing the season with 60 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, and eight quarterback hurries with two forced fumbles. In his junior season, Malone made 99 total tackles and was fourth in the nation with tackles 21 for loss and 12th in the nation with 11.5 sacks and also had 16 quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. He was named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-C-USA.

Malone considered entering the 2020 NFL draft, but ultimately decided to return for his senior year. Malone entered senior season on the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlists and was named the preseason C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and as one of the top five outside linebacker prospects for the 2021 NFL draft according to ESPN.

Professional career

Malone was selected in the third round with the 82nd pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL draft. The Falcons previously obtained the pick in the trade that sent Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. Malone recorded his first professional sack in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Malone began the 2025 season as one of Atlanta’s auxiliary defensive ends. In Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, Malone recorded his first career interception against Josh Allen, helping secure the 24–14 win. On November 13, 2025, Malone was placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts.

On April 1, 2026, Malone re-signed with the Falcons on a one-year contract. He was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list on August 4, ending his season.

NFL career statistics Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TfL FF FR 2022 ATL 15 0 29 18 11 1 4 0 0 2023 ATL 17 0 6 4 2 0 0 0 0 2024 ATL 17 0 16 8 8 2 3 0 0 Career 49 0 51 30 21 3 7 0 0

Personal life Malone is first cousins with Justin Shaffer, who was also selected by the Falcons in the 2022 NFL draft.