MOBILE, Ala. — The Atlanta Falcons appear set up well offensively for the foreseeable future. The defense, however, is a different matter.
Several key defenders are set to hit free agency, and the unit will seek a higher quality of play moving forward, leaving many to believe Atlanta’s focus will be on the defense this offseason.
Just two years ago, the Falcons had a similar approach. The team’s 2023 free agent class was headlined by safety Jessie Bates III, inside linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive tackle David Onyemata. All have been starters for the Falcons, with Bates and Elliss truly shining. However, Atlanta’s current salary-cap situation could preclude it from a similar free-agency investment this year.
That leaves the 2025 NFL Draft as the Falcons’ best way to infuse their defense with new talent. It’s a good year for that to be the case. Unlike the 2024 edition, which didn’t have a defensive player taken until pick No. 15, this year’s event is considered laden with talented defenders. So, whichever positions the Falcons target on that side of the ball, they should find someone to like.
“They really need a standout edge rusher in my opinion,” Trevor Sikkema, the lead NFL Draft analyst at Pro Football Focus, told AtlantaFalcons.com. “This draft has some pretty good edge rushers. They have some really good guys at the top. Guys like James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee, Abdul Carter — obviously if he lasted to the Falcons’ pick they’d be overjoyed — Mike Green from Marshall, who’s here at the Senior Bowl. These are all options for them in the middle of the first round.”
Atlanta currently holds the 15th pick in the draft, and it has five picks total. Despite using four picks last year on defensive linemen and edge players, it could add to that group once again.
If the crop of talent at this year’s Senior Bowl was any indication, that may prove to be a wise approach.
There were a wide range of skill sets and body types on display in Mobile, where the practices took place. Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart is 6-foot-5, 281 pounds and has exceptional length to disrupt blockers. Marshall’s Green, however, is smaller at 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds, possessing quick-twitch explosion and nice bend around the corner.
Those two illustrate the differences among the defensive linemen and edge players, but virtually everyone had a standout moment or two at practice.
“It’s a really deep D-line class,” Sikkema said. “So, I know that Falcons fans probably think, ‘Hey, we have to go with a pass rusher in the first round.’ Obviously, if a guy falls to you and you love him and think that he’s a great fit, you want to make that move because it’s a big-time need for them as it stands right now.
“But even if they don’t do that, even if there’s somebody else where they go, ‘Man, this guy we just like him a lot better fitting for our team at a different position,’ in Round 2 and Round 3, I still think you can get a pretty dang good edge rusher because it’s a deep class.”
Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau as well as Josaiah Stewart from Michigan were a few names Sikkema offered up as potential options for Atlanta on Day 2. Those names just scratch the surface of this class, however. In Daniel Jeremiah’s initial list of the top 50 prospects, 16 play on the defensive line or edge.
The Falcons could also add a few pieces to their secondary. Defensive back is another position that features both top-end talent and impressive depth in this year’s draft (seven players in Jeremiah’s top 50).
This year’s defensive back class has something for everyone. Teams looking for a long, man-press corner will have options. So, too, will those in need of a ball-hawking zone defender. Atlanta can build around Bates and cornerback A.J. Terrell however they see fit.
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