How the Atlanta Falcons are going to approach the 15th pick in this year's draft remains a mystery. Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot has rarely made the expected move, and there is no reason to believe that this year will be any different. The Falcons need help rushing the passer and in the secondary. It seems likely the pick is going to address one of these remaining concerns. Looking at the team's current depth chart at the edge position, Bralen Trice, Arnold Ebiketie, and Leonard Floyd project as the team's top pass rushers.
This is far from a proven group and could suggest the Falcons prefer to add a starting option. Considering the amount of edge rushing prospects it wouldn't be a surprise to see Atlanta trade down if the opportunity were to present itself.
Atlanta has limited draft selections, making the team a clear target for a team needing to move up
The Falcons lost one pick courtesy of Kirk Cousins and another due to the trade for edge rusher Matthew Judon. This leaves Atlanta with only five picks in this year's draft and a myriad of defensive needs. The fact that you could justify a first-round selection at safety, corner, linebacker, or edge rusher speaks to an alarming lack of defensive depth.
One great first-round pick isn't going to fix all of the issues for this defense. Atlanta needs an incredibly strong draft class, and that is going to mean adding more picks. This is obviously completely hinging on a team being willing to give up a pick to move up on night one. Atlanta will be taking all calls, but going to need the right deal to present itself to be able to make the move.
AdChoices
ADVERTISING
Trading down should be high on Terry Fontenot's draft priority list unless the Falcons have another path to bringing in additional picks. Looking at the team's lack of trade assets, this seems unlikely. If Atlanta is going to have a chance to greatly improve the defense, it must involve trading back and adding additional selections.
Page 2
The Atlanta Falcons' 2025 offseason is still in the early stages as the team looks to rebuild the defense and continue to develop Michael Penix Jr. As early as in the offseason as it might be, there is no denying just how underwhelming the team's early moves have been. The headline signing has been veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd. While this is a solid move, it isn't what you want the headline of the offseason to be unless you're a proven contender.
Atlanta's moves at best are replacing the lost production of their rebuilding defense. This in itself might be too generous when you consider the loss of Grady Jarrett and a myriad of other defensive pieces. Atlanta's best defense doesn't involve the team getting better, it is the belief that the offseason moves have already replaced the lost defensive production.
Atlanta's offseason is far from over and deserves patience despite an underwhelming start
Winning free agency rarely results in your team becoming a Super Bowl favorite. There are exceptions to this, such as when Tampa Bay landed Tom Brady and went all in on the team's Super Bowl window. A year later, the Rams chose a similar path, going all in to build around Matthew Stafford. However, if you don't have a franchise changing quarterback and proven veterans already on the roster, winning free agency rarely works in your favor.
More often, it is a signal from rebuilding teams that they are ready to move forward. Looking back at the recent years of free agency this tracks. The teams making the splashy moves are rarely the ones still standing at the end of a season. Two things can be true: Atlanta had an extremely underwhelming free agency, and they are choosing the right path.
Atlanta must own the mistake that is Kirk Cousins and not borrow from the future just to make moves in free agency. The Falcons' offseason is pointing to the fact that the team's timetable has been reset under a young quarterback. The offensive core of Penix, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson are going to keep this team's window open for a long time.
The Falcons are focusing on the draft and not making the splashy mistakes they have in the recent past. While this is the right approach, it does mean the fate of the 2025 season entirely rests on the shoulders of Penix. Atlanta isn't going to build a complete team in one draft with their overwhelming number of defensive needs. This offseason might be frustrating, but it is a reality check of understanding the mess you've put yourself in and realizing one wave of free agency signings isn't going to fix a losing organization. Atlanta must start by winning the draft and then finding out exactly what they have in Penix.
