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Just like the other 31 teams in the league, the Atlanta Falcons are gearing up for the 2025 NFL draft. Head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have been attending college pro days as the team narrows down its options for the 15th overall pick.
After the first round, though, the team doesn't have much draft capital. With so many needs on defense, don't be surprised to see the Falcons use the majority of their picks on that side of the ball. In a new seven-round mock draft from ESPN, the team uses four of its five picks to upgrade the defense.
ESPN analyst Matt Miller projected Atlanta to take Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in Round 1, saying some believe Campbell has a chance to be the next Micah Parsons.
"Every NFL team is trying to find the next Micah Parsons, and there's hope Campbell could be that as a 3-4 outside linebacker," wrote Miller. "With Atlanta's free agent addition of Leonard Floyd, Campbell could ease himself into the lineup like Parsons did as a rookie."
The Falcons had the chance to draft Parsons with the No. 4 overall pick in 2021 but took tight end Kyle Pitts instead. Despite a 1,000-yard rookie season by Pitts, Parsons has turned into a generational pass rusher while the Falcons have yet to draft a difference maker on defense under general manager Terry Fontenot.
In Round 2 of Miller's mock draft, Atlanta takes Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins. The Longhorns standout has the size and versatility to instantly upgrade the team's front seven. After losing veteran defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, Collins could help replace the 10-year NFL veteran in 2025.
"The 6-foot-6, 332-pounder can play all over the defensive front and has room to grow," explained Miller. "His quickness off the snap and backfield chase ability indicate pass-rush upside. But he's stout enough against the run to see snaps at 1-technique and could even start in Year 1."
The Falcons took another defensive player out of Texas in Round 4 of Miller's mock, adding Longhorns edge Barryn Sorrell with pick No. 118. Make sure to check out the rest of ESPN's seven-round mock draft.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Falcons upgrade defense in new ESPN mock
Continue reading...
After the first round, though, the team doesn't have much draft capital. With so many needs on defense, don't be surprised to see the Falcons use the majority of their picks on that side of the ball. In a new seven-round mock draft from ESPN, the team uses four of its five picks to upgrade the defense.
ESPN analyst Matt Miller projected Atlanta to take Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in Round 1, saying some believe Campbell has a chance to be the next Micah Parsons.
"Every NFL team is trying to find the next Micah Parsons, and there's hope Campbell could be that as a 3-4 outside linebacker," wrote Miller. "With Atlanta's free agent addition of Leonard Floyd, Campbell could ease himself into the lineup like Parsons did as a rookie."
The Falcons had the chance to draft Parsons with the No. 4 overall pick in 2021 but took tight end Kyle Pitts instead. Despite a 1,000-yard rookie season by Pitts, Parsons has turned into a generational pass rusher while the Falcons have yet to draft a difference maker on defense under general manager Terry Fontenot.
In Round 2 of Miller's mock draft, Atlanta takes Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins. The Longhorns standout has the size and versatility to instantly upgrade the team's front seven. After losing veteran defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, Collins could help replace the 10-year NFL veteran in 2025.
"The 6-foot-6, 332-pounder can play all over the defensive front and has room to grow," explained Miller. "His quickness off the snap and backfield chase ability indicate pass-rush upside. But he's stout enough against the run to see snaps at 1-technique and could even start in Year 1."
The Falcons took another defensive player out of Texas in Round 4 of Miller's mock, adding Longhorns edge Barryn Sorrell with pick No. 118. Make sure to check out the rest of ESPN's seven-round mock draft.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Falcons upgrade defense in new ESPN mock
Continue reading...
