The Atlanta Falcons concluded their selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, focusing primarily on strengthening their defense. Head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot expressed satisfaction with their draft picks over the weekend.
The Falcons’ strategy did not go unnoticed, as the team gave up a 2026 first-round pick to move back into the first round. Fontenot explained their decision, stating, “Well, if you look at the trade from yesterday, basically what we did is we used our first round pick this year, right? When you really think about it, what we gave up for it is we went from the second round to the third round, if you really put it in a nutshell. … It’s about who the player is, and we’re not being irresponsible about it. We’re making decisions based on conviction and love for players and knowing the impact they’re going to make on this team.”
While some analysts were critical of this decision, NFL data analyst Warren Sharp praised the Falcons for achieving the best value in the draft. The team will now look to these new selections to contribute significantly on defense, given the relatively small draft class.
National media outlets provided varying assessments of Atlanta’s draft performance. The Associated Press awarded the Falcons a B+ and spoke favorably of the potential impact of edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. NFL.com gave a more mixed review—Day 1 received a B, Day 2 a B-, and Day 3 a C+—noting the addressal of pass rush needs but cautioning about future positional needs.
Pro Football Focus graded the Falcons with an A-, highlighting Walker’s athletic versatility and the team’s defensive line improvements. In contrast, ESPN gave a C, expressing skepticism about trading away a future first-round pick and addressing multiple defensive positions. The Ringer also rated the strategy with a C, echoing concerns about the high cost of acquiring Pearce. CBS Sports provided a B-, noting Fontenot’s aggressive moves to fortify the defense.
As the Falcons proceed into the upcoming season, the performance of their draft picks will be closely monitored, especially given the investment and strategic moves made by the franchise.
