News Falcons Team Notes

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons build trenches in way-too-early 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft

Ken Ruinard - Imagn Images

With no first-round pick, the Falcons still come away with critical linemen.

Despite what national media may say about the Atlanta Falcons and their 2025 draft, fans of the team seem optimistic about the haul they were able to muster, given their limited draft capital.

Grabbing two bona fide pass rushers, one prototypical, one ideational, and two ballhawks in the secondary at value is a great foundation to build a defensive identity. Despite this, there was one glaring omission from the 2025 draft: Physicality.

After years of defenses getting smaller, the league has done a 180-degree turn on its axis and reverted to its roots of running the football and playing rugged defense, starting with the trenches. If you ask Terry Fontenot, Atlanta addressed the trenches within the last few years with Ruke Orhororo, Zach Harrison, Brandon Dorlus, and Ta’Quon Graham.

So, yes, the darts have been thrown, but none of them are necessarily answers to write home about along the defensive line. David Onyemata and the addition of Morgan Fox provide a little ointment on the sting of losing longtime Atlanta staple Grady Jarrett. Not to mention, there isn’t a true nose tackle on the roster. Sure, Onyemata can play there, but that’s not where you want him long-term. There needs to be a true space-eater in the middle of the defense.

On the other side, Jake Matthews, the ironman he is, can’t do this forever. There needs to be a contingency plan so that Matthews can ride off into the sunset on his terms. The great thing about having Matthews is that this player doesn’t need to be fully developed. Matthews, Kaleb McGary, and Chris Lindstrom can be great mentors to assist any player who may come in. Not to mention that Ryan Neuzil, as of right now, is not a lock to become a high-end starting center over the long haul.

Since the Falcons don’t have their first-round pick next year, we needed to find someone who went beyond the first round in their initial 2026 mock draft, and by God, we found him. Pro Football & Sports Network’s Ian Cummings went three rounds deep in his latest mock, giving us 97 names to look for in next year’s draft, from Arch Manning to Aveion Terrell to Jadyn Ott. For the Falcons, however, he had a clear vision: Build the Trenches. Atlanta did just that with their two picks.

Second Round, Pick #42: DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson​

The Falcons will need to completely overhaul their interior defensive line in 2026. DeMonte Capehart can be a nice central piece as an explosive, powerful linear nose tackle at 6’5″, 315 pounds. His motor runs hot, his power output blasts opponents off the line, and he can stack-and-shed.

Will Atlanta need to completely overhaul the interior? Maybe not. If they did, Capehart is a great start. Reuniting Ruke with a lineman with the motor and power of Capehart could be a blessing for Falcons fans.

Demonte Capehart pic.twitter.com/OQzRPxygex

— Clemson Highlights (@ClemsonRT) November 9, 2023​

Third Round, Pick #74: Trey Zuhn, OT, Texas A&M​

Zuhn had a chance to go to the draft this season but decided to return to a Texas A&M team that returns all its starters for a potential CFP run. The third-team All-SEC lineman projects to potentially move inside, which could benefit Atlanta if Bergeron or Neuzil don’t take the necessary steps forward.

LT Trey Zuhn III #60
The one thing Trey shows amazing flashes in is his reach/Widezone footwork. At times he goes off his course and doesn’t get the reach, but there’s no doubt he has almost mastered the footwork. #NFL #NFLDraft https://t.co/n731nwvOrr pic.twitter.com/Ht6os5oqx3

— Charlie Prio (@CharliePrio1) May 3, 2024​

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...raft-way-too-early-demonte-capehart-trey-zuhn

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

The Falcons bet on themselves in the 2025 NFL Draft

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Falcons bet on themselves in the 2025 NFL Draft with a bold trade up in the first round and an emphasis on finding immediate contributors on defense. Kevin Knight breaks down the draft class and discusses Atlanta’s overall strategy.

The Atlanta Falcons bet on themselves in the 2025 NFL Draft with a bold trade up in the first round and an emphasis on finding immediate contributors on defense. I break down the draft class and discusses Atlanta’s overall strategy, including why I’m much higher on the team heading into the summer. 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/...selves-jalon-walker-james-pearce-xavier-watts

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Atlanta Falcons receive top marks with The Athletic’s analytics-based grading system

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Hail to the nerds who love this draft.

Over the past couple of weeks, the Atlanta Falcons have been eviscerated for their resource allocation in the 2025 NFL Draft. National media from various platforms have ripped the Falcons for their use of next year’s 1st-round pick to acquire the now-enigmatic EDGE prospect out of Tennessee, James Pearce, Jr.

Atlanta sent the 46th and 242nd picks in the 2025 draft, which the Rams used to select Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson and Pittsburgh WR Konata Mumpfield, as well as next year’s first-round pick to move back into the first round to choose Pearce and snag a third-round pick just outside the top-100.

To most, this is an egregious misuse of resources. As The Athletic’s Josh Kendall pointed out, according to the Fitzgerald-Spielberger, Jimmy Johnson, and Rich Hill NFL Draft trade value charts, Atlanta gave up the equivalent of a mid-first-round pick to trade back into the first round. ESPN’s Kevin Clark called it “awful” and “reckless.” Kendall states the NFL is “collectively wondering ‘what the heck is going on in Flowery Branch?’” as the Falcons continue to beat to the tune of their own drum when they are on the clock.

Everyone is finding this trade baffling and ultimately inexcusable.

Everyone except the numbers.

The Athletic’s Austin Mock put together an analytics-based grading system to help grade the 2025 NFL draft on a basis free of outside interference. This grading system doesn’t know the prospects, aside from the dollar value given to the slot they were chosen in and their spot on The Athletic’s consensus big board.

When given this criterion, five teams were given A-grades or better. The Cleveland Browns, the New York Giants, the Tennessee Titans, the Carolina Panthers, and...this can’t be...the Atlanta Falcons.

According to the numbers, the Falcons and their bets on building their edge room and their secondary shot them up to one of the five best grades in this year’s draft. A fact that shocked Mock, who questioned the results in his write-up.

The Falcons had a top-five draft? Really? I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I understand how we got there. So, our formula saw their controversial trade back into the first round for James Pearce Jr. as giving up the equivalent of a late first-rounder. That’s not great, but they managed to overcome it overall.

It starts with their selection of Jalon Walker, who plays a premium position and was drafted below consensus. Pearce also plays a premium position, so that helped the Falcons’ cause. Still, I can’t get over how “same-y” they appear to be, with each playing the same position and weighing less than 250 pounds. I have concerns about how those players will fit together into the same scheme outside of passing situations.

Listen, I’m no mathematician and don’t pretend to be one, but Jay-Z had a line on his song “Reminder” from his 2009 album The Blueprint 3 that may fit well here: “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.”

This draft may also give Atlanta a chance to remind the league that playing by your own rules can yield as much success as following consensus.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...s-analytics-based-grading-system-jalon-walker

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

NFL to debut new ‘Rivalries’ jersey program, Falcons won’t get theirs till 2028

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

What will these new jerseys look like? We’ll have to wait to find out.

THE ATLANTA FALCONS ARE GETTING A NEW JERSEY...in 2028.

As reported by Jonathan Jones, the NFL has announced that beginning in the 2025 season, it will introduce new uniforms inspired by the local communities of the NFL teams, with a focus on division rival games.

The concept, now known as the “Rivalries” program, will mimic what Nike has done with the MLB and the NBA in recent years. This new concept will roll out over a four-year span, with the AFC North and NFC South getting theirs in 2028 (the final rollout year).

Here are the general guidelines the league has provided on how teams can utilize these uniforms:

• Each team will be required to wear the jerseys for one home game against a divisional rival
• Teams must wear it once a year over a three-year period.
• Teams can wear the jersey against the same divisional rival or across the division.
• Since the jerseys must be worn in home games, there won’t be a game featuring both teams wearing the “Rivalry” jerseys.

The league has also stated that current alternates, including throwback uniforms, can and will remain in each team’s rotation.

The Falcons’ current uniforms have not been as well-received as the franchise had hoped. The number font and the portly ATL logo are the two most notable complaints. Don’t get me started on the “Rise Up”-inspired gradient jerseys, which were the equivalent of using auto-tune after T-Pain’s peak.

This is the first year Atlanta has been eligible for new jerseys, and many fans have been hoping for a redesign.

This jersey announcement might scratch the itch for those design-focused fans, but they’ll have to wait to cast judgment, as the NFL won’t be revealing Atlanta’s jersey anytime soon.

We’re unsure how this new program will affect the teams’ decision about whether/when they want to debut new jerseys. The Tennessee Titans have announced they will be getting new uniforms this year, and they aren’t set to enter the “Rivalries” program until 2026, so it doesn’t appear the league will make teams wait to roll them out in tandem.

The question everyone will be asking is, what in the world will these look like, and their guess is as good as mine. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait three years for the final answer.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...sey-program-falcons-wont-get-theirs-till-2028

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie promises attacking front, talks 2025 roles

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

It’s good news for Atlanta’s intriguing young defensive linemen.

With no offense intended toward any of the coaches the Atlanta Falcons hired this offseason, Nate Ollie was the one I was most excited about. A well-regarded coach who has consistently found a way to elevate the pass rushing prowess of lines he’s worked with at stops from Philadelphia to Indianapolis to Houston, Ollie was the right hire for a Falcons team in desperate need of development and cleverness up front.

That impression was reinforced when Ollie joined other coaches in speaking to the media earlier this week. Reiterating Raheem Morris’s belief that no team can ever have enough pass rushers, Ollie talked about the importance of having talent and depth in late game situations, when games can be won and lost by whether a defense is ruthless or gassed.

“Most of these games, you’re not blowing nobody out,” Ollie said, noting most games come down to the final minutes in today’s NFL. “You need everybody. You can never have enough rushers. Really, I stamp that, I stand on that.”

Ollie said the team will be in an “attack-style” front, where he’ll want linemen (and outside linebackers, naturally) to play free, attack gaps while maintaining integrity, and not worry so much about reading what’s happening and reacting as going after the quarterback and ball carrier like very large bats out of a very hot hell. He specifically mentioned the benefits of an attacking front for second-year defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro, who will handle the three technique (where a defensive lineman is lined up against the outside shoulder of the opposing guard) and should benefit from “taking the thinking out of it” and simply using his athleticism, strength, and savvy to get into the backfield.

“Shoot, just all I know is get off the ball and attack,” Ollie said.

In addition to Ruke’s role, Ollie talked about using Brandon Dorlus both inside and on the edge this season, where he said he’ll be a mismatch against tight ends forced to try to block him. Dorlus came out of college with pass rushing production and a history of playing all over Oregon’s defensive line, and it sounds like he’ll both A) get significant playing time and B) get to showcase his versatility and pass rushing chops for Atlanta this year. Zach Harrison will be used off the edge as a big end, and Ollie’s motto for this line is a pretty simple “GTFO.” That’s a direct quote. He’s as fired up about rushing the passer as any coach I’ve heard from in Atlanta.

Ollie’s passion for having a deep stable of pass rushers and showing aggression is welcome for Falcons fans who saw Jimmy Lake’s curiously passive approach last season, not to mention the years of ineptitude this defensive front has weathered since John Abraham was pushed out way back in 2013. Now the job is just translating that passion into results, but I’ll leave you with a quote that illustrates exactly what Ollie envisions for the pass rush from this front in 2025.

“When a guy gets tired, you can just go in waves. Everything we trying to do now, we’re trying to be like Mike Tyson and throw haymakers, we’re getting off the ball and attacking, throwing haymakers, no jabs.”

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...tacking-front-talks-2025-roles-brandon-dorlus

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Evaluating the Falcons draft and UDFA haul with Thor Nystrom

Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images

The Falcons had a polarizing 2025 NFL Draft class followed by a strong group of UDFA additions. Kevin Knight is joined by Thor Nystrom (Fantasy Life) to evaluate the value and fit of Atlanta’s draft class.

The Atlanta Falcons had a polarizing 2025 NFL Draft class followed by a strong group of UDFA additions. I’m joined by Thor Nystrom (Fantasy Life) to evaluate the value and fit of Atlanta’s draft class, including the controversial trade-up for James Pearce Jr. and the three top-200 talents added by the values as UDFAs. 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/...draft-2025-cobee-bryant-nick-nash-joshua-gray

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

3 Falcons draft picks make ESPN’s list of Top 100 picks

In what was viewed by most fans and experts as a largely successful draft for the Atlanta Falcons, three of the team’s draftees are being ranked as the best among all 257 picks. Let’s take a look at which players gained this honor.

While the dust continues to settle on an eventful NFL draft weekend, experts have been using the past week to analyze the best picks out of all 257 selections. Obviously ranking the best out of a draft class of insanely talented players is subjective, especially because they haven’t played a down of NFL football yet. Still, receiving post-draft high praise from experts is nothing to sniff at, especially after the Atlanta Falcons have been one of the most highly criticized teams in recent years after the draft.

The list we’ll be taking a look at today is ESPN analyst Matt Miller’s Top 100 draft picks from all three days of the draft, and Atlanta had three of their five selections that cracked this list. What I like about Miller’s list is that he didn’t rank these picks based solely on talent, but mainly factored in value, scheme fit, how well the pick addressed a need, what the player brings to the field, and whether any additional assets were gained or lost in draft-day trades to acquire him.

These many components resulted in a highly detailed analysis of the ways the picks mentioned can benefit the team short and long term. So... what Atlanta newbies cracked Miller’s top 100?

5. Jalon Walker, Edge, Atlanta Falcons (Pick 1-15)​

Miller’s excerpt: Walker was a top-five player on my board, and Atlanta ended his draft-night slide midway through the first round. Not only did the Falcons get great value, but they also got a player who fits perfectly for Atlanta’s scheme and need. Walker’s NFL position has yet to be determined (he played both linebacker and edge at Georgia in 2024), but he brings desperately needed speed and high upside as a pass rusher in a 3-4 alignment.

Honestly, couldn’t have said it better myself. Walker is a highly versatile player as Miller mentioned, playing both linebacker and edge at the University of Georgia this past season, having success at both positions. It only took Philadelphia winning a Super Bowl with all the Georgia talent they acquired for Atlanta to catch on.

Walker’s speed and size take me back to the days of John Abraham with his ability to stretch offensive lineman and squeeze past them for easy pressures and sacks. His different alignments on defense allowed him to keep the offense guessing which contributed to him running free a ton of times in 2024. This pick came in high on Miller’s list at #5, ranking above noteworthy selections of Travis Hunter (#6), Abdul Carter (#8), and Will Campbell (#17) just to name a few.

31. Xavier Watts, S, Atlanta Falcons (Pick 3-96)​

Miller’s excerpt: Getting a 54-pick value is always good, but pairing Watts with Jessie Bates III is great. It gives Atlanta a ball-hawking safety duo. Watts’ 13 interceptions in his past two seasons at Notre Dame made him one of the country’s best defensive backs, and he now brings that ability to a Falcons defense that also nabbed edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in Round 1.

Probably one of the biggest steals of the draft, Xavier Watts was taken by the Falcons in round 3 with the 96th pick. After Demarcco Hellams sustained an ankle injury during the 2024 pre-season, Atlanta signed then free agent Justin Simmons to a 1-year contract, but the marriage delivered underwhelming results with Simmons looking like a shell of his former All-Pro self in this team’s shaky defense. The team has declined to re-sign him to this point.

That leaves a void at the other safety position alongside Jessie Bates III, and a ball-hawking defensive back like Watts that posted 13 interceptions the last two years could fill it with his exceptional coverage, play recognition, and ability to break on the ball. His ability to pick up and recognize coverage responsibilities and shadow receivers will prove crucial when playing a team like the Bucs, who just added to their loaded receiving core selecting Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka. It’s also a great depth move for Atlanta, with Hellams returning from injury and Jordan Fuller also being signed in late March. Regardless if Watts wins out the starting job, I feel strongly that he’ll make an impact in year 1.

72. Billy Bowman Jr., S, Atlanta Falcons (Pick 4-118)​

Miller’s excerpt: Atlanta doubled down at edge rusher and safety, and Bowman’s versatility aligns with new teammate Xavier Watts’ skills. Bowman might see snaps at nickel safety first, but he has starter upside and ball skills.

Just one round and 22 picks later, Atlanta picked another safety, selecting Billy Bowman Jr. from Oklahoma. Selecting the same position in back to back picks may raise some eyebrows, especially already having a cemented starter in Bates, but a player like Bowman Jr. has a slightly different skillset than Watts. While Watts is a great zone coverage player with remarkable lateral and downhill quickness, Bowman Jr. is a player with exceptional man coverage ability showing an innate skill for coming down and manning up the slot.

This is why Miller mentioned that he believes Bowman Jr. would see more snaps at nickel first rather than safety, something the Falcons have confirmed. This is especially the case given his smaller stature standing 5’10”, 192 pounds. The smaller quicker receivers often line up in the slot, providing an easy target for quarterbacks who like to look for fast drag, slant, or whip routes. Depending on how Bowman Jr develops, he could find his role as a shutdown nickel back taking away those easy throws.

That’s a quick analysis on the Falcons’ that made Matt Miller’s top 100 picks in the NFL draft. Do you agree with who Miller included and where he placed these picks? If not, who would you have chosen instead and where would they be? Comment your thoughts below!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-picks-jalon-walker-xavier-watts-billy-bowman

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

How did the Falcons pull off the James Pearce trade? Albert Breer has details

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Why Pearce? Why Walker? This breaks it down nicely.

We know the broad contours of how the Atlanta Falcons landed Jalon Walker and James Pearce, a haul destined to be the subject of hype and criticism for years to come. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer fills in many of the missing details in his latest column.

For those with tired eyes, the crux of the article is this: The Falcons spent quite a bit of time trying to dig into whether Pearce was as difficult as he was reputed to be, were impressed that despite pouring rain the prospect was pushing hard to still go ahead with a workout and find a space to do so himself, and came away excited about him. Breer also adds to the raft of confirmations that the Falcons would have taken Pearce at 15, but were surprised Jalon Walker fell to their pick and couldn’t pass him up.

Lengthy block of Breer’s article incoming:

Because of all that, they were ready to take (Pearce) at No. 15.

Then came the twist they didn’t expect, where Jalon Walker, who could’ve gone as high as No. 4, started falling. And when the Indianapolis Colts chose to pick at No. 14, and not trade, Atlanta’s draft room erupted before even hearing Tyler Warren’s name. Walker impressed the Falcons as he had just about everyone else—every Georgia player told the brass, when asked what teammate they’d bring with them to the pros, that Walker would be the guy. And Walker impressed Fontenot when he came to Atlanta’s local pro day to cheer on friends working out there.

Morris has already had some success deploying another hybrid, in seventh-year pro Kaden Elliss, and envisions using Walker in a supersized version of that role.

That last note is interesting, even if I suspect we’ll see Walker used much more off the edge than as an off-ball linebacker. But it’s clear the Falcons tried to replicate their efforts last year with greater success, where they got their top target (Michael Penix in 2024, Walker in 2025) and then tried to come back up for a pass rusher (Laiatu Latu in 2024, Pearce in 2025). The fact that Pearce might be a better fit than Latu makes last year’s miss perhaps a blessing in disguise, while also providing fuel for those who argue the team shouldn’t be in the business of giving up future firsts.

What is obvious—and what Breer writes—is that the Falcons considered Walker and Pearce to both be top talents in this class, and were hellbent on getting both when it was evident they were going to fall. The Falcons paid a premium price for doing so, but Breer writes that the team essentially considered this getting a second first rounder a year early, which reinforces just how high they were on Pearce. They called the Broncos at 20 but wound up finding a partner at 26 with the Rams, who were willing to toss back pick 101 to give the Falcons a swing in the third round at Xavier Watts.

As Breer notes—and as I’ve written before—the cost discussions will fade if the Falcons found great players at 15, 26, and with Penix in 2024, just as they did over time in the great Julio Jones trade of 2011. If not, we’ll be having Takk McKinley discussions in perpetuity.

So the team’s thinking was clear: Get two players they considered building block caliber, deal with the loss of a first rounder next year, and count on finally assembling a winning team to ease the criticism and justify the approach. That last bit is the part that remains to be seen, and the team’s aggression in parting with picks is not a guarantee to work. But even those who are detractors of the deal admit the talent on hand the Falcons brought in is considerable.

The best example of that recognition may come from one of the league’s better pressure artists. Reader NorthernHawksFan dropped a comment about Raiders superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who was practically giddy with how the Falcons approached attacking their biggest weakness, cost be damned.

#Raiders All-Pro Maxx Crosby absolutely loved the #Falcons draft pic.twitter.com/47uibEihCX

— Rise Up Walker (@RiseUpReader) May 6, 2025​

If Walker and Pearce turn out to be the caliber of players the Falcons have long lacked up front, that may well be the consensus view in the future. For now, it has to be enough to know the Falcons really thought this through, and may the results reflect that.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...e-trade-albert-breer-has-details-jalon-walker

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Have the Falcons improved this offseason? The Falcoholic Live, Ep327

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Falcons had a slow free agency period followed by an aggressive NFL Draft and UDFA class. Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic attempt to answer the big question: have the Falcons meaningfully improved this offseason?

The Atlanta Falcons had a slow free agency period followed by an aggressive NFL Draft and UDFA class. Adnan Ikic and I attempt to answer the big question: have the Falcons meaningfully improved this offseason? What can we expect from Atlanta in 2025, and should this team be considered a contender in the NFC South and beyond? 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/...diaz-the-falcoholic-live-ep327-nfl-draft-2025

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Should the Atlanta Falcons sign WR Gabe Davis?

Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

The former Bill and Jaguar is a buy-low candidate, but one that comes with question marks.

A little over a year after inking a 3-year $39M ($24M guaranteed) contract, the Jacksonville Jaguars have moved on from Gabe Davis.

The announcement came earlier today.

Last off-season, the Jaguars signed then free-agent WR Gabe Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract. Davis played 10 games with the Jaguars, catching 20 passes for 239 yards. https://t.co/Rp0sjXtVs2 pic.twitter.com/V3BksthhTy

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2025​

Davis disappointed in his one year with the Jaguars, during which time he posted career lows in yards per reception, receptions per game, and yards per game. His season ended after 10 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Jaguars believe they are now better off with a $20M dead cap figure than with his services.

Davis was a hot name during the 2024 free agency cycle, and one that many Atlanta Falcons fans desired. Davis’s skills never really justified the deal former Jaguars GM Trent Baalke gave him, but he does fill a niche as a clear-out specialist. If you need a guy to run in a straight line as fast as possible, he’s your man. The problems arise once teams start asking him to do more, which is why he will be looking to join his third team in three seasons.

Davis’ market has peaked; he’s unlikely to see a double-digit guaranteed money contract again. He’s an ideal buy-low candidate for cash-strapped teams like Atlanta, who could use an X on the outside to open up things for his fellow receivers underneath. This clear-out role was primarily filled by Kyle Pitts in 2024.

Speed and the ability to stretch the field are lacking in the WR room. Darnell Mooney is currently the best option, but he’s too valuable to be used as a decoy consistently. Jamal Agnew, Davis’ 2024 teammate, has the potential to fill this role if he’s healthy, but he’s a big unknown after he missed the entire ‘24 season. However, so is Davis.

The idea of Davis is better than the player. He’s unlikely to be ready for camp due to that injury, and there’s no telling if he’ll even be the same player again post-recovery. He wouldn’t have time to build chemistry with Michael Penix in the summer and would have to be worked in once the team starts rolling.

A veteran minimum deal would make him an enticing addition, and Fontenot is always combing through the veteran free agent market, but he’s not a player the team should be banging down the door to sign. For this writer, signing Davis is currently off the table, but there is a legitimate argument for his services if the price is right.

Where do you stand?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...e-davis-darnell-mooney-kyle-pitts-free-agency

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons sign draft picks Xavier Watts, Billy Bowman, and Jack Nelson as rookie minicamp kicks off

Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Three-fifths of Atlanta’s class is now under contract.

The Atlanta Falcons have three draft picks signed, which means a majority of their class is under contract in early May. Two to go.

On Friday, the Falcons announced the signings for third round pick Xavier Watts, fourth round selection Billy Bowman, and seventh rounder Jack Nelson. Only first round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. remain unsigned.

Making it official pic.twitter.com/ZHFi7ZOMDc

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 9, 2025​

Watts is a ball-hawking, super savvy safety expected to contend for a starting role next to Jessie Bates, and he’s the early favorite to win out over DeMarcco Hellams and free agent signing Jordan Fuller. Bowman, primarily a safety in college, will compete for nickel duties with Dee Alford, Clark Phillips, and Natrone Brooks, among others. He’s also a playmaker with a reputation for aggressive, physical play, which should make him a nice fit for a defense that wants to offer all three of those qualities on all three levels.

Nelson is a developmental tackle who the team would like to become their swing tackle of the future, if not a future starter. We keep expectations relatively modest for seventh round picks around here, though, so for now we’ll pencil him in as the last man on the roster on the offensive line in 2025.

It’s good to see these guys under contract with rookie minicamp getting underway today. We’ll see if we get any further news out of camp!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...t-picks-xavier-watts-billy-bowman-jack-nelson