Which NFL Draft Players Should the Falcons Target?
The 2025 NFL Draft begins April 24th, and the Atlanta Falcons look to hit on the few picks they have. They own the 15th overall pick in the first round, one pick in the second and third rounds, and two in the seventh. The Falcons traded the third pick last summer to the New England Patriots for edge rusher Matt Judon. The fifth pick was taken by the league for tampering during last season’s free agency. With only two picks in the first two days, the draft room must all be on the same page when it comes to the selections.
The Falcons have needs across the roster but most notably on the defensive side. Last year’s trade for Judon was massive at the time and made to address the lack of pressure Atlanta produced on opposing quarterbacks. The trade turned out mediocre at best. Judon recorded five and a half sacks on the season and Atlanta ranked second to last in sack percentage with only 31 total. The Falcons also lost veteran All-Pro defensive tackle Grady Jarrett who signed to the Chicago Bears this offseason. Jarrett played 10 seasons in Atlanta and was a captain of the team. The Falcons need to address defensive ends in the draft, as it is important, especially after failing to sign a top pass rusher in a loaded free agency pool. All-Pro players Myles Garrett, Joey Bosa, Maxx Crosby, and others already found new homes or re-signed with teams. Last season’s leader in sacks, Trey Hendrickson, was given permission from the Cincinnati Bengals to seek a trade. He has yet to sign a long-term deal with an organization. If the Falcons don’t have enough cap space to sign Hendrickson, look for them to take a top edge rusher at the 15th or second round pick. The latest mock draft from NFL Network’s Draft Analyst, Daniel Jeremiah, predicts the Falcons will select Georgia Bulldog Mykel Williams. ESPN’s Draft Analyst Mel Kiper sees Atlanta selecting Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart. Neither player posted eye-popping sack numbers, but both are explosive rushers who excel at tackles for loss and do generate pressure on quarterbacks.
Another need for the Falcons defense is depth at cornerback. Atlanta was last in the league in opposing completion percentage as well as bottom half in passing yards per game and interceptions. Atlanta signed corner AJ Terrell to a four-year, $81 million contract in 2024, which at the time was the second highest paid corner in the NFL. Terrell is a lockdown corner but doesn’t record many interceptions since quarterbacks are scared to throw his way. Teams picked on targets opposite Terrell and were able to take advantage of those matchups. Texas corner Jahdae Barron is a ball hawk who can throw press slot receivers off routes. Will Johnson is a physical corner from Michigan who has great pre-snap recognition and presses at the line better than any corner in the draft. Taking a cornerback with the 15th pick would give the defense security on the outside and allow more time for the defensive line to generate pressure on quarterbacks.
