News Falcons Team Notes

[Atlanta Falcons]

Which way the arrow is pointing for Falcons special teamers after early free agency

Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

A new kicker signing has shaken things up.

The Atlanta Falcons are clearly prioritizing special teams yet again in 2025, with several signings that figure to heavily or primarily contribute there. The big changes at a couple of specialist spots have certainly shaken things up heading out of the first couple waves of free agency, which means it’s a logical time to hand out some arrows.

Arrow Up​

K Lenny Krieg​

The signs are all positive for Krieg. He received a three year deal from the Falcons with a significant signing bonus, was snapped up the day after the International Player Pathway program pro day by Atlanta, and signed with the first team he visited with. That all indicates a significant level of interest for the Falcons, which bodes well for Krieg.

He learned football fairly late in life and has only played in a European league, but kicker is one of those positions that doesn’t have a steep learning curve hopping across the pond. With a strong leg and accuracy, plus the team’s obvious interest in having him be their long-term kicker, Krieg’s arrow is pointing way, way up ahead of his summer in Atlanta. All he has to do is capitalize on his big chance.

LS Liam McCullough​

The Falcons reportedly showed a level of interest in a Michigan long snapper, so maybe you can’t rule out a summer addition for competition. But McCullough just got a new contract and has been extremely reliable during his time in Atlanta, which should keep him here as long as that continues. The fresh deal and the security implied by it, and McCullough’s work in his Falcons career, means his arrow is pointing up.

KR/PR Jamal Agnew​

The Falcons did not, to all appearances, make a strong effort to retain Avery Williams. Instead, they went and grabbed Agnew, who overlapped with Marquice Williams in Detroit and was an extremely productive returner no all that long ago.

Given the relationship with Williams, Agnew’s history, and the fact that he’s a 1:1 replacement for Williams, he should be headed for a quality season as the team’s unquestioned punt returner and one of its primary kick returners. Health is really the only question mark, but I’m bullish on his outlook in Atlanta.

Arrow sideways​

P Bradley Pinion​

The fact that the Falcons haven’t prioritized adding competition should have Pinion’s arrow pointing up, but I still wonder if that competition might come.

Pinion was 32nd in the league in net yards per punt and 34th in punts inside the opposing 20, the latter partly a function of field position and partly a function of Pinion himself. Compare that to 2023, when Pinion was 20th in net yards per punt and 19th in percentage of punts inside the 20, and 2022 when he was 15th and 18th. That may just be the product of a year that seemed to go sideways for everyone, but the sharp decline in effectiveness for Pinion last season might give the team pause. That’s especially true with $2.6+ million in savings from cutting him versus a modest $500,000 dead money hit in the final year of his deal.

That could suggest the arrow is pointing down, but Pinion has been valued by this coaching staff, does not yet have any competition or any indication that competition is coming, and is not ancient by punter standards. We’ll re-visit this after the draft, but right now Pinion’s someone we hope will bounce back.

KR/PR Ray-Ray McCloud​

I don’t expect any real role change for McCloud on special teams, where he’ll pair with Agnew as one of the team’s kick returners and chip in where needed. McCloud showed last year that as a solid returner and better-than-expected receiving option, he has considerable value for this Falcons team. Aside from the possibility that a draft pick could diminish his role on offense a bit, I expect him to continue to deliver that value.

Arrow down​

K Younghoe Koo​

The signs are all bad for Koo, who is no stranger to adversity and now faces a fresh wave of it.

The Chargers gave up on him far too quickly and the Falcons were the beneficiary of accurate, clutch kicking for a few seasons before the wheels came off a bit last year. A combination of tinkered-with mechanics seemingly letting Koo down and injury led to his worst season in Atlanta, one that sent him tumbling down the all-time NFL accuracy leaderboard on field goals and had him at 29th in that metric in the NFL for 2024. His accuracy had been steadily slipping over the previous four seasons, but his worst years were 86.5% in 2022 and 2023, which put him around the middle of the pack in the NFL. The difference between a good kicker and a shaky one is only a few misses, and that was certainly true for him last year.

If the team viewed last year as a mere blip, they would not have rushed to sign Krieg to compete with Koo. The Falcons are likely eyeing the slippage in Koo’s numbers, his recovery, and the fact that they can save $3 million in cap space this year and over $4 million next year if they cut ties with him as they give Krieg a crack at the job. Koo could still theoretically fend off Krieg with a terrific spring and summer, but from where we sit today, I fully expect the team to release or trade him if their new kicking option shines.

After four weeks of the 2024 season, Koo looked to have put any doubts behind him. Now, it’s fair to doubt that he’ll be the team’s kicker in 2025, highlighting how quickly fortunes change for the position in the NFL. It’s a bummer given how many great kicks Koo hit over the years for Atlanta, but things look grim for him at the moment.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...pecial-teamers-after-younghoe-koo-lenny-krieg

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

How impactful could a rookie edge rusher be for the Falcons?

Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

History says to limit your expectations in year one, but that doesn’t mean the Falcons shouldn’t take the swing.

How much help would a first-round edge provide for the Atlanta Falcons in 2025?

It’s a question many of us are thinking about. However, history says very little.

The Falcons have seemingly missed the boat for landing a top EDGE rusher in free agency, which Raheem Morris revealed he anticipated during his interview with team reporters at the NFL Annual League Meetings. Morris noted that based on the team’s current situation (Kirk Cousins debacle), they would’ve been foolish not to be prepared to walk out of free agency without marquee names.

Yes, Trey Hendrickson and Micah Parsons are technically still available via trade, but if this is Morris’s message during these players’ period of availability, it’s clear he’s not counting on landing either. So what is he counting on?

Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart and Nick Scourton have not yet participated at their Pro Day.

Stewart ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Scourton was seen talking to Atlanta Falcons HC Raheem Morris. pic.twitter.com/IRylnow96Q

— Ronald Harrod Jr. (@ronharrodjr) March 27, 2025​

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Falcons have a young group of defenders in the building that they believe in. Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, and Bralen Trice have been cast as the defenders in this recurring storyline. However, Trice is the only one classified as an EDGE defender and the only one who didn’t play in 2024—barely.

The team needs more edge talent, and that’s why 2025 has been relentlessly discussed as the year the Falcons draft an edge rusher with their first-round pick.

But how much impact should the team realistically count on from a Day 1 rookie and Trice (a pseudo-rookie) in 2025? I compiled a table using PFF data showing pass rush production from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round draft picks from the past 5 years–rookie seasons only. The data also separates all dropbacks from true pass sets (eliminating plays that utilize screens, play action, or rollout concepts). The results are as follows:

Rookies needed ~100 snaps to qualify. Rookies that missed their entire season due to injury had their 2nd year data used (if possible).

The game isn’t played on a spreadsheet, but the numbers can’t be ignored. Drafting a pass rusher is like investing in an index fund, where instant gratification is rarely an outcome. The data makes a few other obvious points, the main one being to draft a pass rusher on Day 1.

Production is relative. A season total of five sacks is subpar compared to the best pass rushers in the league, but that’s the average return for top draft prospects. I expected first-round picks to be the most productive rookie group. They were the largest group in the data pool (23), and Day 1 draft picks typically got more playing time and opportunities than pass rushers taken on later days.

The gap from Day 1 to Day 2 was a foreseen outcome. However, I didn’t expect second and third-round pass rushers to be statistically nearly indistinguishable. Factors like over-drafting and overweighted data are present, but overall, the data speaks to the difficulty rookies face when transitioning to the next level. The less talented the player, the more difficult that transition can be, and this is one of the toughest positions to evaluate.

The gap between second-round and third-round edge rushers isn’t all that significant, and these results could also lead one to believe that trading up on Day 2 isn’t worth the trouble.

Day 2 rookies are lucky to see 100 pass rush snaps in their first year, and those reps are priceless for rookies. Giving rookie pass rushers as much as possible is a priority, but you can’t overexpose them too early. Managing them is a delicate balance, which is why the best teams stockpile and draft edge rushers every year. Defenses that can attack the quarterback consistently are constantly updating their queue with new pass rushers.

Mykel Williams in the SEC championship game (he will be 20 years old until June) https://t.co/M2TmLY9iSn pic.twitter.com/UpUGIeG8mP

— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) February 15, 2025​

The Falcons have taken swings on Day 2 and Day 3 during Fontenot’s tenure, and their results align with that somewhat complacent philosophy. Atlanta cannot hope to land a tier-one pass rusher if they don’t pay the price. Bralen Trice shouldn’t be dismissed, but he shouldn’t have unrealistic expectations put on him in his first year of action, either.

Drafting an edge rusher in the first round will always be the most effective way to land an elite one, and it’s time to take a shot. Trying to make a five-star meal out of five-dollar ingredients has burned Fontenot four years in a row.

Rookie pass rushers are not high-level producers; they are, at best, pieces that can elevate a room and generate a spark in pass rush situations. Rookie seasons like Jared Verse and Micah Parsons’ are statistical outliers, not realistic benchmarks. Everyone in Atlanta should prepare for a four-sack outcome, or worse, if the team adds a pass rusher. However, don’t let sack totals overshadow promising metrics and indicators (win %, total pressures) that point toward the defender being on the right track.

These statistical realities are why teams are intrigued by players like Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart. The odds are that even the most refined and polished-looking college pass rusher (Latui Latu) will need a year to adjust before becoming effective, so why not take a shot on players who are athletic outliers? Sometimes, you get Travon Walker; other times, you get Tyree Wilson.

Building up this room will be a process, but that process won’t truly begin until the Falcons have added a player who can be a foundational piece. The question is, can they find that person in this year’s NFL draft?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...for-the-falcons-terry-fontenot-2025-nfl-draft

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

The Falcons have re-signed slot CB Dee Alford

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The team’s starter inside the past two seasons returns to the Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed slot cornerback Dee Alford, a move that indicates those within the building genuinely believe that coaching was a bigger issue than ability in 2024.

The team had declined to tender Alford, a restricted free agent, earlier this offseason. They never did close the door on a reunion, however, and today the deal is done.

ATL Glo!

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 7, 2025​

Alford was a gem in 2023. The defensive back arrived in Atlanta in 2022 as an unknown who had to jump-start his career in the Canadian Football League, but then he became a full-time starter in 2023 and 2024. His time with the Falcons has been a rollercoaster, and last year was the low point after that productive 2023.

Just last week, Raheem Morris discussed how the team is confident in the abilities of Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips when it pertains to playing in the slot. That confidence never resonated with me because Hughes has proven that he is better suited on the outside at multiple stops, and the team has done everything they can to prevent Phillips from seeing slot action (he was outsnapped by UDFA Natrone Brooks 31 to 3 in 2024). The signing of Alford highlights that “coach speak” is at an all-time high, as Alford should be expected to compete for the starting job with Phillips with a good chance to win it outright.

Is there an argument to be made that Jimmy Lake had defenders like Alford in unfavorable decisions? Most certainly, it’s why he’s gone. However, it would be ignorant to put the bulk of the blame for Alford’s season at the feet of Lake. Players have to perform, and more times than not, Alford’s failures came from his play, not scheme. Zach Ertz dismantling you in simple man coverage is not the fault of the defensive coordinator.

zone-coverage ball is on the 5. Falcons only rush 3

-idk what Alford sees here that causes him to react so late. his process has to be sped up.

-he has help inside, and the TE is threatening his zone, but he lets him run by him. leverage has been an issue for him this season. pic.twitter.com/MZxfz3CSko

— Tre’Shon (@tre3shon) October 28, 2024​

Betting on Alford’s 2025 to land somewhere between his 2023 and 2024 performance isn’t a wild gamble, and that’s especially not a bad gamble if he ends up being a depth player. But the Falcons have signed/re-signed a lot of players that would be best in a depth role, a theme of the Fontenot era.

We assume these players will see a reduced role every year, but they often become starters or high-volume players due to the inability to fill spots with draft talent from the current year or years prior. They’re stuck in a cycle of over-relying on budget signings; Alford is a strong bet to push hard for a starting job without a significant upgrade arriving via the draft.

Still, this move changes nothing regarding team draft needs. Atlanta still needs high-caliber defenders in both the secondary and defensive front. It’s good that the Falcons recognized their issues from a defensive coaching standpoint, but moving on from Lake will be meaningless if the other half of the equation isn’t solved. The hope is that if they are betting on Alford to return to his 2023 form, he does so, but the Falcons need to limit the number of bets they’re making.

Talent trumps all, and it won’t matter who’s calling plays if the Falcons can’t acquire any.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ned-slot-cb-dee-alford-mike-hughes-jimmy-lake

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Justin Simmons is open to reunion with Atlanta Falcons. Should the feeling be mutual?

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Tell us how you feel about it in the comments.

The whiteboards in the facilities in Flowery Branch should all have one word plastered on the top of them: Defense. The Atlanta Falcons fielded a lackluster defense last season that allowed 30+ points in four of their last seven starts, including their final two weeks that resulted in overtime losses. One of the more disappointing aspects of the defense, other than its lack of creativity, was the play from two veterans that were picked up toward the beginning of the season: Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons.

Both players were picked up for one-year deals, giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents to either be re-signed and be a part of the Falcons retooling efforts or find a worthwhile opportunity elsewhere. Instead, both players underwhelmed and are still on the market, waiting for someone to take another chance on them.

As a part of his free agency tour, Simmons went onto FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams with host Kay Adams. Before discussing all the other opportunities that may arise this season for the former four-time Second Team All-Pro, Simmons and Adams discussed a return to the Falcons as a potential option. An option that Simmons seems to be tentatively open to.

Justin Simmons isn't closing the door on a Falcons return, just yet... @heykayadams | @jsimms1119 pic.twitter.com/py5z7iPwSK

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 8, 2025​

So, Simmons is open to come back. Should the Falcons look to bring him back?

The answer is yes, but on a discount.

Last season, everybody outside of Kaden Elliss were a victim of a largely lifeless defensive gameplan from first-and-last-year defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake. On the other hand, the Falcons have a couple of safeties in Demarcco Hellams and free agent signing Jordan Fuller that they could slot in alongside Jessie Bates.

However, the presence of Fuller and Hellams aren’t deterrents to getting better at the other safety position. In fact, one of the better fits in this year’s draft is Georgia’s Malaki Starks to the Falcons at 15 if there is an early run on edge rushers.

But, as Simmons is going into his age-32 season, Atlanta has to guard themselves away from the proverbial cliff that defensive backs find themselves teetering off of once they hit 30.

So, if Simmons can find a way back to the team on another one-year deal for around $3-$5 million, maybe even $5.5 million if the brass believes that his struggles were scheme-based.

However, pushing toward that $7 million number again after he failed to live up to that contract last season simply isn’t good business.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-free-agency-2025-atlanta-falcons-depth-chart

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

LIVE Falcons mock draft 2025 ft. Supporters: Tuesday Takes

Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s time for our first LIVE Falcons mock draft of the 2025 season, as Kevin and Tre’Shon take you through all seven rounds with some help from our supporters on YT and Patreon. Trades considered and all prospects are on the table, let’s get weird.

It’s time for our first LIVE Atlanta Falcons mock draft of the 2025 NFL Draft season, as Kevin Knight and Tre’Shon Diaz take you through all seven rounds with some help from our supporters on YouTube and Patreon. Trades considered and all prospects are on the table, let’s get weird. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below.

If you’re interested in supporting the show, check out our Patreon page to unlock access to exclusive perks including Patron Q&A sessions, Discord perks, live shout-outs and more!

Be sure to check out the new community Discord server here! Come chat with your fellow Falcons fans about the show, the team, the NFL draft, and more.

You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...s-mock-draft-2025-ft-supporters-tuesday-takes

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

The Beast: One-Liners on the 2025 NFL Draft’s Top EDGE Rushers

Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Dane Brugler has dropped his highly-anticipated draft guide, and we’re diving in to his appraisals at a position of need.

It’s back, baby.

The most comprehensive look at the NFL draft is back, as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released the 2025 version of The Beast for everyone to enjoy.

400+ profiles. 2,700+ prospects. In a few words, it’s an NFL Draft lover’s dream from one of the best analysts in the game.

On his cameos on The Athletic Football Show, Brugler speaks about how scouts can boil down a prospect to one line. One sentence to describe hours of film study and days of research on a kid’s potential in the NFL.

So, this year, we look at a few of the one-liners that Brugler put on some of the top names in the 2025 NFL draft at positions of need for the Atlanta Falcons.

I hope you enjoy, and please, if you haven’t, go and read The Beast. Words can’t describe how invaluable a tool it is to get an in-depth look at all the top prospects in the draft.

Positions of Need for the Atlanta Falcons​

Brugler listed the following three positions as the top positions of need for Atlanta in the 2025 Draft, with the following note on the importance of this year’s draft for General Manager Terry Fontenot:

EDGE

CB

OT

Atlanta has trumpeted its collaborative approach since Terry Fontenot was hired as GM. He and Raheem Morris insist that no one in the room dominates the decision-making. This will be Fontenot’s fifth draft with the Falcons, and it could be his last if the team’s fortunes don’t change.

Top EDGE Rushers in 2025 NFL Draft​

Marshall’s Mike Green​

Overall, Green is a twitchy athlete with the burst and body control to win one-on-one as a pass rusher and set a violent edge in the run game.

Mike Green is a WEAPON on the edge.

He’s put up 23 sacks and 89 pressures in the last 2 seasons and boasts a 20.1% pass rush win rate.

He’s also been an absolutely dominant run defender, posting a 90+ grade in the last two seasons.

Top 15 player in the draft. pic.twitter.com/xiPmnkpRyW

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 10, 2025​

Georgia’s Mykel Williams​

Overall, Williams is more toolsy than nuanced and needs to develop a more unified pass-rush plan. The individual traits (length, strength, explosiveness), promising toughness and football character, however, are reasons to bet on his upside.

Mykel Williams in the SEC championship game (he will be 20 years old until June) https://t.co/M2TmLY9iSn pic.twitter.com/UpUGIeG8mP

— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) February 15, 2025​

Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart​

Overall, Stewart needs to mature his rush efficiency and finishing skills, but he has a rare combination of talent and motor to be a game-wrecker against both the pass and the run.

OLB Shemar Stewart (#4) pass rushing vs:
- Notre Dame
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- LSU
- South Carolina pic.twitter.com/rTAk0ahIyF

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 8, 2025​

Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku​

Overall, Ezeiruaku is a tad light for a stack-and-shed edge setter. But rushing the passer is his calling card, and he has the arc acceleration, body flexibility and long, active arms to break down the balance of blockers.

Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku has such nasty flexibility and length. Runs the arc with such ease … a true edge bender.

Ezeiruaku was sixth in the country in pressures last season (60). pic.twitter.com/qf4tL2awKi

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) April 4, 2025​

Tennessee’s James Pearce, Jr.​

Overall, Pearce is upright and frenetic in his play style, but his blend of explosiveness and power creates consistent disruption as a pass rusher.

James Pearce Jr. is still my EDGE1.

He’s dominated SEC play and improved MASSIVELY as a run defender since 2023. pic.twitter.com/L6jFGjPJdV

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) November 7, 2024​

Arkansas’ Landon Jackson​

Overall, Jackson has a different type of pass-rushing skill set because he isn’t a super-fluid athlete, but his raw power, strength in his hands and consistent effort make him effective.

Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson (6'6 - 260) has arguably the most upside in this class. He has a really nasty cross chop... And the effort he plays with, the quick sudden movement, and his quick hands are all Elite. He is going to be really good. pic.twitter.com/kfxxgfDF3x

— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) March 19, 2025​

Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau​

Overall, Tuimoloau’s college tape is more good than exceptional, but he is competitive, skilled and doesn’t have major deficiencies that would keep him from being a dependable edge presence in the NFL.

.@OhioStateFB @JT_Tuimoloau has great size. Great power. Great production. In a draft deep and talented on the Defensive Line....where is JT? #nfldraft #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/QAZ82SxLAz

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 9, 2025​

Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen​

Overall, Umanmielen won’t easily dismantle NFL tackles or tight ends at the point of attack, but his edge speed, body control and flexibility make him a dangerous two-way pass rusher.

If the #Titans decide to address edge rusher early on day 2, Ole Miss' Princely Umanmielen is sure to be near the top of the list.

-bends like a motorcycle around the corner
-uses a lethal inside spin
-flashes a nice speed-to-power/long-arm
-white hot first step pic.twitter.com/VahZaUfx56

— Drew Beatty (@IronCityFilm) April 6, 2025​

Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer​

Overall, Sawyer often plays one-dimensionally as a pass rusher and lacks ideal suddenness or length for an edge player, but his activity level and the strength in his hands make him an every-down factor.

All of my clips of #33 Jack Sawyer is him winning with speed to power. There's not much to say about his bull, outside of he doesn't go with it enough. He's at his best when he's consistently going power through the outside shoulder.#NFL #NFLDraft #OhioState pic.twitter.com/aLq3BiJcX2

— Charlie Prio (@CharliePrio1) April 9, 2025​

Oregon’s Jordan Burch​

Overall, Burch is a smooth edge rusher in a defensive tackle’s frame.

Jordan Burch improved a lot as a pass rusher this year. Arguably the best bull rush/long arm in this edge class pic.twitter.com/pDIBvoEZ9P

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 17, 2025​

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ts-top-edge-rushers-mykel-williams-mike-green

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Are you taking the over or under on Falcons wins this season?

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Do you think the Falcons will go over or under their projected win total of 7.5 in the 2025 NFL season? Let us know your thoughts in this week’s SB Nation Reacts poll!

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Atlanta Falcons fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

We’ve yet to see how the 2025 NFL Draft will play out for the Falcons, but we have seen the first round of win total over/under projections go out. At the moment, Atlanta’s line is sitting at 7.5 per FanDuel—which seems about right given my read on the current state of the team.

For this week’s SB Nation Reacts question, we want your take! Answer the poll below to let us know if you think the Falcons will go over or under 7.5 wins in the 2025 NFL season.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...alcons-wins-nfl-2025-fanduel-sb-nation-reacts

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Buying or selling Falcons NFL Draft rumors: The Falcoholic Live, Ep323

Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 2025 NFL Draft is just over two weeks away, and the rumor mill is starting to heat up. Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic discuss the most intriguing rumors and decide whether to “buy” or “sell” their potential truth.

The 2025 NFL Draft is just over two weeks away, and the rumor mill is starting to heat up. Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic discuss the most intriguing Atlanta Falcons draft rumors and decide whether to “buy” or “sell” their potential truth. Will Atlanta actually draft an offensive tackle in Round 1? Is the trade down buzz real, perhaps even out of the first round? Will Kyle Pitts or Kirk Cousins be moved during the draft? Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live!

Watch the stream below or on YouTube beginning at 8 PM ET​

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below. The podcast typically posts a few hours after the live show records.

If you’re interested in supporting the show, become a Channel Member or check out our Patreon page to unlock access to exclusive perks including Patron Q&A sessions, Discord perks, live shout-outs and more!

Be sure to check out the new community Discord server here! Come chat with your fellow Falcons fans about the show, the team, the NFL draft, and more.

You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...5-buying-or-selling-the-falcoholic-live-ep323

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons re-sign defensive back Kevin King

Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images

The Falcons continued to bolster their secondary and special teams depth heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, re-signing defensive back Kevin King.

The Atlanta Falcons have continued to build up their secondary depth heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, announcing the re-signing of defensive back Kevin King on Friday afternoon. King, now heading into his age 30 season, spent the entirety of the 2024 season with the Falcons.

OFFICIAL: The Falcons re-signed cornerback Kevin King, who played in 15 games for them last season.

MORE: https://t.co/NsGTJbEuHT

— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) April 11, 2025​

A former second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers (33rd overall) back in 2017, King never quite lived up to his draft hype. He did have a plus season in 2019, starting 14 games and piling up five interceptions and 15 PDs, but injuries would start to chip away at his career. King sat out the 2022 season and wound up missing the 2023 season due to a torn Achilles.

Jerry Gray, who coached King in Green Bay, brought him into training camp in Atlanta prior to last season. King caught on and wound up playing a versatile depth role for the Falcons, appearing in 15 games and starting one. He played a mixture of cornerback and safety, along with some special teams work. King was a solid addition but played only 71 snaps on defense.

The Falcons seem to have been encouraged by what they saw, bringing back King to compete for a depth role once again in 2025. What do you think about the Return of the (Kevin) King?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...efensive-back-kevin-king-nfl-2025-free-agency

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons fans smash the over on 7.5 win projection for the 2025 NFL season

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Despite relatively bad vibes surrounding the Falcons heading into the 2025 season, a clear majority of fans expect Atlanta to outperform their 7.5-win projection.

The vibes surrounding the Atlanta Falcons are...not great at the moment. A lackluster free agency period perpetuated by a lack of salary cap space has dampened the spirits of the fanbase, but there’s a long way to go before the season kicks off in September. The 2025 NFL Draft could certainly change minds, depending on what Atlanta is able to accomplish, and there’s obviously tons of hope surrounding 2024 first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Earlier this week, we asked Falcons fans how they were feeling about the team’s over/under projection of 7.5 wins, per FanDuel Sportsbook. Given the aforementioned bad vibes, I was expecting fans to be pretty evenly split on this topic. But that was incorrect, as Falcons fans are apparently much more optimistic than I am at this stage.

Fans are smashing the over, with an overwhelming 68% majority taking more than 7.5 wins for Atlanta in 2025. That means the expectation is for the Falcons to win at least eight games, matching (or potentially exceeding) their 2024 total. With the team slated to play what looks like, on paper, a more difficult schedule in 2025...that could be easier said than done.

My baseline assumption is usually that Atlanta will split with the NFC South, so that’s four wins. I’d expect the Falcons to be road favorites against the New England Patriots and New York Jets, but otherwise, I’m not sure about the rest of the schedule. That being said, those games alone get you to six wins, so the Falcons would just have to find a couple more between their NFC South foes, the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, etc.

That seems potentially do-able, and I doubt you’ll find anyone who expects the offense to regress under Penix. Reasons for concern would obviously be the departure of veteran center Drew Dalman, and the overall state of the defense—which hasn’t improved on paper thus far.

I’m sure we’ll revisit this number after the draft, and it’s likely to shift a bit between now and the start of the season. But as it stands now, I have to applaud fans’ optimism. I don’t know if the assumption of over is “eight wins” or “more than eight wins”, and I assume that few are expecting the Falcons to vault themselves into double-digit wins and/or playoff contention territory. But eight wins is at least solid football, and not the dumpster fire that we’ve seen from this team in the past decade (looking at you, 2020).

What are your thoughts on the Falcons win total for 2025? Do you expect Atlanta to go over or under 7.5 wins next season?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...on-7-5-win-projection-for-the-2025-nfl-season

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Offseason Falcons History Trivia: Part 2

The next installment to the Falcons history trivia is here! Falcons fans, lets test our dirty bird knowledge!

A month ago we put together a history trivia collection for the Atlanta Falcons’ franchise since their inception in 1966, and tested your knowledge to see how well you know your favorite team. If you haven’t gotten the chance to do that trivia, make sure you go check that one out too!

Now it’s time to put our knowledge to the test once more with the second installment of the offseason Falcons history trivia! Remember: For every right answer, you get 10 points to your overall score. Some questions will have bonus sections, and these parts will be worth 5 points. Good luck!

1. Over the years, Atlanta has had some great rushing talent. Which Falcons running back currently holds the record for most rushing yards in a single season? (Bonus points if you can name what year this record was set.)

2. What is the Falcons current longest win streak in a single season? (Bonus points if you can name the two years in which Atlanta reached this streak.)

3. The Falcons have several NFL rivalries with other teams, but by far their most notable rival is the New Orleans Saints. How did these two teams become rivals?

4. The Saints and Falcons have had a ton of memorable games and plays that have defined the rivalry over the course of their history. Name two memorable plays, moments, or games that have happened during a Falcons-Saints game. Bonus points for a third named!

5. Since the Falcons entered the NFC South division in 2002, how many division championships do they have?

6. During the Falcons’ 2004 NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, who was the commentating crew? (Play-by-play & color commentator, bonus points if you can name the sideline reporter too!)

7. The NFL record for most sacks in a game is 7, held by 9x bro bowler Derrick Thomas. One former Falcons player came very close to tying the record in 2017 with 6 sacks against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10. Who was this player? (He also set the single game Falcons sack record. Bonus points if you can name who held it first.)

8. In 2016, Quarterback Matt Ryan won his only MVP award after a career year, receiving a total of 58 points by panelists who voted that year. Who were the two other players that Ryan beat out for MVP? (Bonus points if you can name the 2 other players that rounded out the top 5)

9. In 2014, Devin Hester returned a punt for a touchdown that would break the record for most punt/kick returns by a player in their career with 20. The record was previously held by another Falcons great and Hester would share the record with him after tying it in 2013. Who held the record before Hester?

10. When the Falcons first started playing in 1966, they debuted jerseys that included an all red helmet with a black Falcons crest logo, and in the center of the helmet was a black stripe outlined by two gold and white stripes. What was the reason for this color scheme on the helmet?

---

Alright, let’s test how we did!

1. Over the years, Atlanta has had some great rushing talent. Which Falcons running back currently holds the franchise record for most rushing yards in a single season? (Bonus points if you can name what year this record was set.)

Falcons’ great Jamal Anderson broke the record for most rushing yards in a single season during our first Super Bowl run in 1998.

2. What is the Falcons current longest win streak in a single season? (Bonus points if you can name the two years in which Atlanta reached this streak.)

The Falcons went on nine game win streaks in both 1998 and 1980.

3. The Falcons have several NFL rivalries with other teams, but by far their most notable rival is the New Orleans Saints. How did these two teams become rivals?

When the Saints joined the NFL in 1967, a year after Atlanta, both teams were the only NFL franchises in the “deep south”. This coupled with them playing each other twice each season helped develop a rivalry.

4. The Saints and Falcons have had a ton of memorable games and plays that have defined the rivalry over the course of their history. Name two memorable plays, moments, or games that have happened during a Falcons-Saints game. Bonus points for a third named!

Several moments come to mind when I think of the Saints vs. Falcons rivalry.

1. Steve Gleason’s punt block for a touchdown in 2006, during New Orlean’s first home game since Hurricane Katrina hit. No matter if you’re a Saints or Falcons fan, you can’t argue that this isn’t an iconic play.

2. Deion Jones game winning endzone interception in 2017.

3. Week 13 in 2012, the Falcons not only snapped Drew Brees 54 game touchdown streak, but also forced 5 interceptions. What makes this even more impressive, is that Brees then went on to put together a 45 game touchdown streak right after, so if it weren’t for the Falcons stopping him at 54, his streak and current NFL record could have very well reached almost 100 straight games with a touchdown.

5. Since the Falcons entered the NFC South division in 2002, how many division championships do they have?

The Falcons currently have four division titles since becoming members of the NFC South, ones in 2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016.

6. During the Falcons’ 2004 NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, who was the commentating crew? (Play-by-play & Color commentator, bonus points if you can name the sideline reporter too!)

The crew actually consisted of three broadcasters, including Joe Buck for Play-by-Play, and both Cris Collinsworth and Troy Aikman as Color Commentators. On the sidelines, Pam Oliver and Chris Myers were reporting.

7. The NFL record for most sacks in a game is 7, held by 9x bro bowler Derrick Thomas. One former Falcons player came very close to tying the record in 2017 with 6 sacks against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10. Who was this player? (He also set the single game Falcons sack record. Bonus points if you can name who held it first.)

Adrian Clayborn against the Dallas Cowboys. Chuck Smith set the record with five in 1997 and held it for 20 years before Clayborn broke it.

8. In 2016, Quarterback Matt Ryan won his only MVP award after a career year, receiving a total of 58 points by panelists who voted that year. Who were the two other players that Ryan beat out for MVP? (Bonus points if you can name the 2 other players that rounded out the top 5)

The Top 5 vote getters were in order

1. Matt Ryan
2. Tom Brady
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Ezekiel Elliot
5. Derek Carr

9. In 2014, Devin Hester returned a punt for a touchdown that would break the record for most punt/kick re turns by a player in their career with 20. The record was previously held by another Falcons great and Hester would share the record with him after tying it in 2013. Who held the record before Hester?

Deion Sanders

10. When the Falcons first started playing in 1966, they debuted jerseys that included an all red helmet with a black Falcons crest logo, and in the center of the helmet was a black stripe outlined by two gold and white stripes. What was the reason for this color scheme on the helmet?

The reason for this color scheme was representative of the Georgia’s two rival colleges Georgia Tech and The University of Georgia. The gold trim that represented Georgia Tech was removed after 1969

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ry-trivia-part-2-deion-sanders-jamal-anderson

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons NFL Draft 2025: Top 10 targets with the 15th pick

Photo by CFP/Getty Images

With just two weeks left until the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s time to stack the top of the board for the Falcons. Kevin Knight brings you his top 10 targets for Atlanta with the 15th pick, including the possibility of a trade down.

With just two weeks left until the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s time to stack the top of the board for the Atlanta Falcons. Kevin Knight brings you his top 10 targets for Atlanta with the 15th pick, including the possibility of a trade down. Will Atlanta finally draft an edge rusher in the first round? Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below.

If you’re interested in supporting the show, check out our Patreon page to unlock access to exclusive perks including Patron Q&A sessions, Discord perks, live shout-outs and more!

Be sure to check out the new community Discord server here! Come chat with your fellow Falcons fans about the show, the team, the NFL draft, and more.

You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...h-pick-jahdae-barron-mike-green-malaki-starks

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

The Beast: One-liners on the 2025 NFL Draft’s top offensive tackles

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Falcons may be shopping for a long-term answer at tackle. Here’s what Dane Brugler thinks of a few of the top options.

It’s back, baby.

The most comprehensive look at the NFL draft is back as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released the 2025 version of The Beast for everyone to enjoy.

400+ profiles. 2,700+ prospects. In a few words, it’s an NFL Draft lover’s dream.

On his cameos on The Athletic Football Show, Brugler speaks about how scouts can boil down a prospect to one line. One sentence to describe hours of film study and days of research on a kid’s potential in the NFL.

So, this year, we look at a few of the one-liners that Brugler put on some of the top names in the 2025 NFL draft at positions of need for the Atlanta Falcons.

I hope you enjoy, and please, if you haven’t, go and read The Beast. Words can’t describe how invaluable a tool it is to get an in-depth look at all the top prospects in the draft.

Positions of Need for the Atlanta Falcons​

Brugler listed the following three positions as the top positions of need for Atlanta in the 2025 Draft, with the following note on the importance of this year’s draft for General Manager Terry Fontenot:

EDGE

CB

OT

Atlanta has trumpeted its collaborative approach since Terry Fontenot was hired as GM. He and Raheem Morris insist that no one in the room dominates the decision-making. This will be Fontenot’s fifth draft with the Falcons, and it could be his last if the team’s fortunes don’t change.

2025 NFL Draft’s Top Offensive Tackles​

Texas’ Kelvin Banks​

Overall, Banks doesn’t have ideal length and needs to improve his sustain tactics to be a consistent finisher against NFL talent, but he has controlled footwork and depth in his pass sets, plus the fundamental know-how to fit and leverage blocks and keep defenders occupied.

#Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (6–4, 324)

Very raw, but naturally gifted pass protector. Physical run blocker. Plays with plenty of raw power. pic.twitter.com/I0ryJbJI8D

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) June 5, 2024​

Ohio State’s Josh Simmons​

Overall, Simmons is a nimble, coordinated pass protector with tremendous athletic poise and the body control to be a long-term starting left tackle in the NFL.

OL prospect Josh Simmons will do whatever it takes to protect his QB

: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/doB0UjSDyW

— NFL (@NFL) April 10, 2025​

Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr.​

Overall, Conerly must continue refining his hands and core strength, but he is on the right trajectory and enters the NFL with a promising foundation based on athletic movements and body control.

Josh Conerly Jr is one of the best pass protectors in this draft.

Held Abdul Carter to zero pressures during their matchup. Sound athlete with coordinated hands. pic.twitter.com/QRt01EENhe

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 14, 2025​

Minnesota’s Airenotae Ersery​

Overall, Ersery has the size, strength and movement talent to become an NFL starting tackle — if his timing, angles and overall consistency continue to improve with pro coaching.

#Patriots are taking a top 30 visit with Aireontae Ersery. He's better than advertised ...and should go higher too.

Had a day over Abdul Carter. Just 1 pressure & zero sacks.

Brutal takedown here. pic.twitter.com/j3CqpdYlW5

— ZeeBee (@BellinoZee) March 25, 2025​

Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson​

Overall, Jackson’s sustain and recovery hiccups must be addressed by an NFL coaching staff, but his athletic traits and play strength should translate well to the next level.

Fully caught up on Donovan Jackson’s tape & the shift he made in the playoffs was incredible.

W10-14 when he first moved to LT was an admirable performance from someone playing out of position. Last 4 games was legitimately shutdown tackle tape. Verified 36-in arms in HS btw pic.twitter.com/317jxT7CQj

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 21, 2025​

Boston College’s Ozzy Trapilo​

Overall, Trapilo is a towering athlete and can be jarred at contact on occasion, but he has swing-tackle traits with his smooth weight distribution and the impressive strike timing he uses to consistently complete the mission.

Boston College RT Ozzy Trapilo is one tackle who actually looks like a tackle in this class. There are legitimate concerns about his play strength and falling off blocks at times, but if teams are impressed with his development, he could make himself a lot of money this week. pic.twitter.com/pTadjZ1NGl

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) February 23, 2025​

William & Mary’s Charles Grant​

Overall, Grant is a nimble big man with outstanding range, length and movement twitch, but he needs to develop better patience and muscle mass to match up with NFL competition.

Charles Grant is an absolute dawg with some NASTY tape.

Raw technique and new to the game, but his William & Mary film displays the athletic tools, size, and 7-foot wingspan to develop and stick at tackle for a long time. pic.twitter.com/g2dEdpBUVN

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 4, 2025​

UConn’s Chase Lundt​

Overall, Lundt needs to continue developing his lower body to hold the point and answer NFL power, but he has the athletic movement traits that will be interesting for wide-zone teams.​

UConn tackle Chase Lundt is one of the most athletic run blockers I’ve ever seen at the college level. Executing these pulls/climbs/backside cutoffs at almost 6-7 is absurd

pic.twitter.com/z3QBBXo6b6

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) December 26, 2024​

Texas’ Cameron Williams​

Overall, Williams is incredibly raw, which presents itself in several ways, but the physical traits and power are easy to identify and will have NFL offensive line coaches excited about developing him.

Texas OT Cameron Williams keeps getting better with every start. His traits are already off the charts, and I become more and more impressed by his eyes and spacing as the weeks go by. In this tackle class, he has a legitimate chance to be the first one drafted. pic.twitter.com/txyiM97Iez

— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) October 1, 2024​

Kansas’ Logan Brown​

Overall, Brown’s untidy technique and lack of experience lead to balance issues, but he has an interesting combination of size, quickness and natural power that can be developed by NFL coaching.

Kansas OT Logan Brown is a player I’m becoming a big fan of.

Former consensus 5 whose profile I compare to Trey Smith (potential move to G).

The size, athletic tools, and production metrics are there, but injuries and inconsistency derailed his college career. Extreme upside. pic.twitter.com/RQhII1Zmum

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 15, 2025​

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...p-offensive-tackles-kelvin-banks-ozzy-trapilo

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Malaki Starks, Jalon Walker among the dozens of prospects at Falcons local pro day

Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Falcons had a host of Bulldogs in for their local pro day, and it’s not unreasonable to think they’ll mine Georgia talent for their 2025 roster.

It would be fair to suggest that a healthy percentage of NFL talent comes from the state of Georgia, either born and raised in the state or through college programs. Native Georgians—and Georgia Bulldog fans in particular—often clamor for the Atlanta Falcons to add more talent from that pool.

In recent years, the Falcons have been scooping up Dawgs late in the draft, but this spring might show us an early round investment. That’s both because the current class is heavy on talented Georgia defenders and because the Falcons are showing some real interest in those defenders, top safety Malaki Starks and do-it-all linebacker Jalon Walker included. That includes both prospects appearing alongside 80-plus players at the team’s local pro day.

I call out Starks and Walker because both are seen as top-20 selections, and there’s a good chance one or both of them will be sitting there at 15 when the Falcons pick. The team also invited intriguing center prospect Jared Wilson from Georgia, well-regarded EDGE prospect Brice Bass from Texas, and Chuck Smith from Villanova, who is the son of former Falcons great Chuck Smith and would be a fun addition, among many others.

That pro day took place last Friday and featured 88 players in total, and it’s worth paying attention to because the team drafted two players last year who attended in linebacker JD Bertrand and defensive lineman Zion Logue, though Logue is not still with the team. With limited draft capital to work with, there’s a very good chance a small handful of players from that local pro day will be with Atlanta this summer as undrafted free agents, depending on who impressed.

Here’s the complete list of players, courtesy of the Falcons themselves. Who would you like to see on Atlanta’s roster this year?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...cts-at-falcons-local-pro-day-georgia-bulldogs

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

The Beast: One-liners on the 2025 NFL Draft’s top cornerbacks

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Falcons have a need at cornerback. What does Dane Brugler think of some of the class’s top options?

It’s back, baby.

The most comprehensive look at the NFL draft is back as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released the 2025 version of The Beast for everyone to enjoy.

400+ profiles. 2,700+ prospects. In a few words, it’s an NFL Draft lover’s dream.

On his cameos on The Athletic Football Show, Brugler speaks about how scouts can boil down a prospect to one line. One sentence to describe hours of film study and days of research on a kid’s potential in the NFL.

So, this year, we look at a few of the one-liners that Brugler put on some of the top names in the 2025 NFL draft at positions of need for the Atlanta Falcons.

I hope you enjoy, and please, if you haven’t, go and read The Beast. Words can’t describe how invaluable a tool it is to get an in-depth look at all the top prospects in the draft.

Positions of Need for the Atlanta Falcons​

Brugler listed the following three positions as the top positions of need for Atlanta in the 2025 Draft, with the following note on the importance of this year’s draft for General Manager Terry Fontenot:

EDGE

CB

OT

Atlanta has trumpeted its collaborative approach since Terry Fontenot was hired as GM. He and Raheem Morris insist that no one in the room dominates the decision-making. This will be Fontenot’s fifth draft with the Falcons, and it could be his last if the team’s fortunes don’t change.

2025 NFL Draft’s Top Cornerbacks​

Michigan’s Will Johnson​

Overall, Johnson is more “good” than “great” in terms of twitch and speed, but he has outstanding eyes, feet and coverage IQ to match and make plays on the football.

With dynamic playmaking skills and elite physical traits, no wonder Will Johnson is one of this year's highly-touted prospects ️

: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UuSDfsPijc

— NFL (@NFL) April 4, 2025​

Texas’ Jahdae Barron​

Overall, Barron doesn’t have the top-tier size that most teams prioritize at the position, but he trusts his instincts and competes with the toughness and ball skills to hold up versus pass or run.

Jahdae Barron is DOMINANT.

9 PBUs, 5 picks, and 0 TDs allowed in 2024 to go with just 279 yds allowed.

He’s the most physical and versatile DB in the class, capable of playing the boundary, safety, or wreaking havoc as a nickel.

Barron is a top 10 player and an elite talent. pic.twitter.com/Ssb4F4p3AW

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 25, 2025​

Ole Miss’ Trey Amos​

Overall, Amos has an appetite for press, but I liked him best in zone (Cover 2, Cover 3, quarters), where he can trust his athletic instincts from depth to read and rally.

Draft Trey Amos at 23. Prosper.
pic.twitter.com/WtG0OGKA7u

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) April 11, 2025​

Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas​

Overall, Thomas isn’t the most sudden or button-upped cover man, but he consistently crowds receivers on the outside with his size, fluidity and competitiveness.

Azareye'h Thomas (@Azareyehthomas) has elite man coverage skills. pic.twitter.com/NAWSsLAQSA

— oollie (@BA2kLEY) March 10, 2025​

East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr.​

Overall, his durability will be questioned, understandably, but Revel is a boundary bully with terrific speed, length and ball-tracking skills.

Shavon Revel has got the goods pic.twitter.com/wPb1VZJsna

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 21, 2025​

California’s Nohl Williams​

Overall, Williams will need to prove he can overcome his average long speed against NFL competition, but there are far more pros than cons to his game, including his awareness, ball skills and physical play demeanor.

Cal CB Nohl Williams has outstanding ball skills. But I'm even more impressed with the edge and physicality he put on tape.

This dude competes! Really impressive match up vs. Ayomanor. pic.twitter.com/PnImMdvxPg

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 23, 2025​

Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison​

Overall, the play strength and durability concerns will follow him to the next level, but Morrison is an athletic, technically-sound cover man who works hard to stay attached to routes and make plays on the ball.

CB Benjamin Morrison, ND
Decent size at 6’0” 193 pounds - Patient Press Corner with Short term memory - Motors out of Press stance to stay Square - Smooth transitions – Active hands - Excellent closing speed - Attacks the catch pocket - Good angles from Off Coverage - Competitive… pic.twitter.com/6Tx75s81VU

— The Film Room (@Cover1FilmRoom) April 2, 2025​

Louisville’s Quincy Riley​

Overall, Riley will need to prove that he won’t be a liability against NFL size and strength, but he has the requisite speed and nose for the football to carry vertical routes and challenge catch points.

DB | @QuincyRiley03 from @LouisvilleFB who racked up 109 tackles, 8 interceptions and 34 passes defended while at Louisville pic.twitter.com/6YdquPIQ3z

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) April 10, 2025​

Iowa State’s Darien Porter​

Overall, Porter is a unique prospect that requires heavy projection because of his meager experience, but he has the rare combination of physical traits and promising ball skills to develop into an NFL starting corner.

Darien Porter is pure RAW talent.

He’s a 6’2 197lb CB from Iowa State expected to run in the 4.3s. Former WR and special teams maestro.

Porter allowed an UNREAL 4.7 passer rating in 2024, including 3 picks and 2 PBUs on just 17 targets in 11 games.

Reminds me of Riq Woolen… pic.twitter.com/BBrVy01xqF

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 28, 2025​

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...op-cornerbacks-benjamin-morrison-quincy-riley

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Dolphins star DB Jalen Ramsey on the trade block. Will the Falcons be interested?

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

The Raheem Morris connection makes it natural to wonder, but there are real hurdles to a deal.

The Miami Dolphins are looking to move Jalen Ramsey, one of the great cornerbacks of his era. Every NFL team will have some degree of interest in Ramsey, even if it’s just a “hey, he’d be a nice addition to the roster” before moving on, and the Atlanta Falcons are no exception.

In fact, the Falcons are in need of secondary upgrades and have a strong connection to Ramsey through Raheem Morris, who was Ramsey’s defensive coordinator for years when the duo was with the Los Angeles Rams.

NFL Network’s Steve Wyche brought up both the obvious mutual appreciation between Morris and Ramsey—the defensive back lit up Morris critics with a fiery, swear-heavy five minute speech back in 2022, for example—and the fact that both coach and player have talked about moving Ramsey to safety in the twilight years of his career. The Falcons notably have some serious question marks at the position, with former Ram Jordan Fuller and recovering-from-major-injury DeMarcco Hellams as their only real options next to the great Jessie Bates, so Wyche’s thoughts here hold some weight even if a positional shift for Ramsey would be no small undertaking.

Of course, it’s not like they’re loaded at corner, where Ramsey was still excellent in 2024 and has spent his career dominating, so a trade with an eye on having Ramsey as a clear upgrade at either spot makes plenty of sense from a pure talent and fit perspective. Acquiring Ramsey to start opposite AJ Terrell while kicking Mike Hughes inside and relegating Clark Phillips, Dee Alford, and Natrone Brooks to depth role would give the Falcons a very good group.

Can’t stop thinking about how much Falcons HC (then Rams DC) Raheem Morris and Jalen Ramsey told me of their admiration for one another - and about a potential move to Safety for Ramsey as his career went on. Ramsey has told me how much he respects Hall of Fame CB/S Charles… https://t.co/Uvmh2I5tUN

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 15, 2025​

So that raises an obvious question: Would the Falcons consider a trade for Ramsey? The short answer is yes, but the obstacles to getting that kind of deal done are legion.

The Dolphins will likely want draft capital, and the Falcons are quite limited in that regard for 2025. Perhaps they can swing a deal for 2026 picks, but they’d still have to absorb nearly $16.7 in a 2025 cap hit, with a $25 million hit for 2026 on the way and no good way to escape the deal until 2027. The team also would need to make a determination on whether they’d prefer to keep him at corner, where his cap hit is high but not outlandish, or explore that shift to safety, where it would be less palatable. For a team that’s been fighting through a cap-strapped moment, adding Ramsey might be prohibitively costly from a contract and compensation standpoint.

All that may well keep the Falcons from seriously exploring a trade, but I’m not going to entirely rule it out. Morris loves Ramsey, Ramsey loves playing for Morris, and this team both needs major upgrades on defense and wants to win right now. If they can spin a 2026 day two pick for an excellent, fairly durable defensive back who would give them the makings of a dominant secondary, the temptation will likely be there for this team. They don’t have an easy path to acquiring a talent of that caliber up front, after all.

It’s worth keeping an eye on these rumors as we approach the draft. Ultimately, I imagine the Falcons will hold on to their draft capital and shy away from a trade for Ramsey, but the pressure to win right now, Morris’ esteem for Ramsey, and Ramsey’s obvious appreciation for Morris means we can’t rule out the possibility entirely.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-will-the-falcons-be-interested-raheem-morris

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

The Falcons are teasing a defense-heavy draft. Will they actually do it?

Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The needs are evident for Atlanta, but can we expect them to have a laser focus on those needs?

Everyone in the Atlanta Falcons organization is saying it. Terry Fontenot has mentioned how “loaded” this defensive draft class is, Raheem Morris has mentioned the need to upgrade the pass rush in particular, and Arthur Blank said Tuesday that the Falcons draft will “be focused” on defense.

The needs on defense are acute and varied, from greater depth along the defensive line to better edge rushers to improvements in the secondary, so that approach would make a ton of sense. With limited draft capital, too, the Falcons have to be a little stingy about making picks on offense that they might be tempted to chase in other years with more selections. Clearly, the Falcons will prioritize defense in the draft.

But will they primarily focus on the defense, or will they once again prioritize a big offensive upgrade early before stacking help on the needier side of the ball? This is an open question because infamously, the Falcons have now invested four straight first round picks on offense, so we can’t take it for granted that pick #15 (or wherever they end up after a trade down) will go to the neediest side of the ball. Fresh rumors that link them to tackles aren’t helping anyone’s nerves in that regard.

A quick look back won’t do much to settle those nerves, but let’s take a moment to do so regardless.

In 2024, five of the team’s eight picks were spent on defense; only their first round pick was spent on offense at a (truly) premium position. That was a slightly different trend line than the Arthur Smith era, where the team went 12/23 on offense for their draft picks, including 6/11 in the draft’s first two days. I don’t need to tell you that these are not hugely significant splits, and last year’s draft was a bit of a unique case with the team falling in love with Penix.

Still, I think the talk about the defense being a priority is more than just humoring a disgruntled fanbase before the Falcons do something crazy and/or stupid. It’s logical to think that a defensive-minded head coach with a fairly established offense might want to prioritize defensive drafting, and the fact that the team now believes they have their quarterback should only strengthen that desire. The team’s needs line up with the strengths of this class, the owner is pushing hard for the Falcons to focus on that side of the ball, and the relative lack of splash moves in free agency and the addition of a new defensive coordinator all speak to the priority being on D. It’s a sensible focus, and whether the Falcons retain their meager number of picks or trade down, sinking most of that capital into the defense feels not just logical but somewhat inevitable.

We also have to remember that it makes sense from a looking-out-for-your-own-neck perspective, it makes sense. Terry Fontenot does not seem particularly likely to survive another losing season, and getting the boot because your defense let down the exciting young quarterback you drafted would be a difficult way to lose your job. Raheem Morris probably has another year minus a complete meltdown, but as a defensive-minded head coach who gave a coordinator/friend the boot because of poor outcomes in 2024, a second straight year of lackluster play on that side of the ball would at minimum increase the heat on him. The Falcons’ brass has every reason to prove they can add to and improve this defense, in other words.

This doesn’t mean every pick is going to go to the defense, but after years of prioritizing offense in the first round and missing the mark on too many defensive selections, this feels like the year the tides change. Whether that leads to better outcomes in 2025 is the major question mark we’re all wringing our hands about, but I would be stunned if the team’s early selections did not go to the defense and the offensive line.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...y-actually-do-it-raheem-morris-terry-fontenot

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Dane Brugler delivers defense to Falcons in seven round mock draft

Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The esteemed draft analyst gives defensive help and a tackle prospect to Atlanta.

The Athletics’ Dane Brugler is one of the best in the business, so any time he talks about the Atlanta Falcons, it’s an opportunity to learn and understand what he views as the team’s most pressing needs come draft time.

Here are the results of his seven round mock draft, with the 2025 NFL Draft looming:

• (15) EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
• (46) DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
• (118) OT Logan Brown, Kansas
• (218) CB Cobee Bryant, Kansas
• (242) RB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers

Brugler clearly has his thumb on the pulse with his selection of EDGE Mike Green. Green has all the makings of a bona fide NFL pass rusher. He can kill tackles with speed, but his explosive profile shows that he has the potential to convert that speed into power with more refinement. Green would finally end the team's drought of drafting first-round EDGE defenders, which dates back to Takk McKinley in 2018, and he is worthy of the pick.

Interior defensive lineman Tyleik Williams would be a force in the run. Williams is arguably the best run-defending nose tackle in this class, and while he doesn’t boast impressive pass rush numbers, he has enough upside to become a pocket pusher. He gives the team a legit answer to their run-defense woes and can keep the more juiced-up pass rushers on the team fresh for later downs.

Tyleik Williams is a massive DT who dominated against the run at Ohio State.

Not a particularly productive pass rusher, but absolutely has the traits to develop in a way similar to what we saw with Alim McNeill’s rise to stardom in both phases of the game.

Day 2 pick, easily. pic.twitter.com/jrQMzuQyKS

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 9, 2025​

Offensive tackle Logan Brown is a name the Falcons were attached to early in the process. While Banks and other first-round OTs have garnered the attention of fans (and the team) in recent weeks, a project like Brown makes more sense, given the current timeline regarding the team’s offensive line. The Falcons need to start thinking about their succession plan for Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary, and Brown fits the scheme well.

Defensive back Cobee Bryant would be an absolute steal in the seventh round. The man is undersized on the scale, but you’d never realize it watching him play. A feisty DB who loves to jaw at opponents, Bryant displays impressive click and close ability, has fantastic lateral movement, and a nose for the football. He would push for the starting nickel corner role, and that’s good because relying on Dee Alford alone, as the team did in 2024, proved unwise.

Kyle Monangai is the pick most are probably scratching their head at, but the Falcons have talked extensively about adding a strength to a strength. This is one of the best running back classes we’ve seen in years, and Monangai is being slept on. The running back is quicker than fast, but his vision and tackle-breaking ability compensate for his lack of long speed. He is excellent in pass protection and, most importantly, does not fumble the football. Tyler Allgeier is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and Monangai would be an excellent replacement.

Finally got to Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai. I don't think any RB in this class had to make something out of nothing more frequently than he did behind this horrendous blocking unit. Forced the 8th most missed tackles in the class last season and 0 career fumbles. Really solid day 3… pic.twitter.com/tr8noUGXlb

— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) April 6, 2025​

What I appreciate most about Brugler’s mock is the reality surrounding everyone’s desire to trade down. There’s no guarantee that it will happen (odds are it won’t), and being unable to do so isn’t an excuse for coming away empty-handed. Atlanta will still have plenty of players to choose from with picks they hold, and it’s the brass’s job to make the most of it, after all, they put themselves in this position.

Is this a mock you can get behind, or is one more running back a step too far?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...n-round-mock-draft-mike-green-tyleik-williams

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons Reacts Survey: What will Atlanta do with its first-round NFL Draft pick?

Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Take our survey, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Atlanta Falcons fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...tlanta-do-with-its-first-round-nfl-draft-pick

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Will the Falcons make a pick at No. 15?

Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

The Falcons rarely trade up and never trade down, but circumstances suggest we should take the latter possibility seriously.

The Atlanta Falcons are currently slated to pick 15th in the 2025 NFL Draft. They should be sitting at a position where some intriguing defensive talents and possibly a top tackle are available for them there, and I don’t think anyone would be particularly vexed if they came away with a potential high-end starter by sitting still.

This is also a draft class where circumstances may conspire to move the Falcons off their pick. I’m not suggesting they’ll trade up in the first round—that’s not something they’ve done under Terry Fontenot thus far, though they were more willing to do so under previous general manager “Trader” Thomas Dimitroff—but I am suggesting they might move down.

Why? Let’s examine the case for all three possible scenarios, starting with that move down, with the note that I think the likeliest outcome is still staying put.

Trade down​

The Falcons only have five draft selections in 2025. They have their first and second round picks, a fourth rounder, and two seventh rounders. That’s it.

If this was a team fresh off a playoff berth with all its roster-based ducks in a row, you’d be okay with that meager draft capital. The Falcons, though, are fresh off an 8-9 season, have had to scrounge for cap space, and still have significant roster holes. They could use more picks just to have more shots at adding quality players, and as it stands now, you can only reasonably expect to get two day one starters out of this class.

A trade down requires an interested partner, but it would make as much sense at 15 as it would in the second round, in all likelihood. Unless the Falcons are extremely invested in a particular player—hopefully a defender—bumping down a few picks is unlikely to put them out of range of a useful talent. Collecting additional draft capital this year and perhaps next week to do so would put the team in a position to add at least one more starter or high-end reserve, depending on the capital they’d pick up, which feels necessary right now and well into the future for a squad that needs an infusion of young talent.

Trading down makes as much sense as it ever has for this team, in other words. If they don’t do it this year, they’re never going to.

Stay put​

The argument for staying at 15 is simple enough: A player you covet is there and you know you won’t get him if you move down. That could be an explosive pass rusher like Mike Green, a slightly falling cornerback like Will Johnson, or a superior safety talent like Malaki Starks, or it could be a player the Falcons feel confident can be a long-term starter at right tackle.

Whoever it is, the Falcons would need to be A) enamored with that player and B) not have a knockout offer that would force them to move off the spot. The fact that there may not be a player other teams covet enough to move up at 15 and the fact that there is likely to be a player the Falcons like a lot there means sticking is probably the outcome you should bet on.

Trade up​

I’m including this because it’s technically possible, but would be beyond foolish for these Falcons. With only five selections, Atlanta would have to likely surrender their second round pick this year and potentially their fourth for any significant sort of jump, or give up significant capital next year.

If it’s for Abdul Carter, perhaps you can talk yourself into that, but it would leave the Falcons with very little room to add to their roster via the draft in a meaningful way and be a declaration that they believe they can be a legitimate playoff contender with...well, a defense that’s quite similar to what they had a year ago, plus Leonard Floyd, Divine Deablo, Jordan Fuller, and a talent like Carter. I like those additions, I think Jeff Ulbrich will be an upgrade, and I still wouldn’t want to make that bet.

Let’s hear your take! Are the Falcons picking at 15, trading down, or trading up?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...no-15-2025-draft-nfl-malaki-starks-mike-green