Following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the undrafted free agency period, often informally called the “eighth round,” has begun. Atlanta Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot emphasized the importance of this phase in the player acquisition process.
Fontenot remarked on Wednesday, “We really have to attack undrafted free agency in the right way,” highlighting the quality of players still available. The Falcons, who selected five players in the draft, have started efforts to sign undrafted players, with announcements expected soon.
Last year, none of the Falcons’ undrafted free agents made the final 53-man roster, although past successes, such as Ryan Neuzil and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, underscore the potential value of this talent pool.
Fontenot remains optimistic about this year’s prospects, citing the depth created by eligibility extensions granted to student-athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fontenot stated, “There’s going to be undrafted free agents that end up being really good players” and emphasized the importance of making the right picks, regardless of whether they come from the draft or undrafted free agency.
With this year’s undrafted free agents regarded as particularly promising, Fontenot aims for aggressive yet strategic selections to benefit the team. “We’ve got to be aggressive in the right way and make sure we affect this team,” he concluded.
