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If the Atlanta Falcons don't select an edge rusher in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, fans might finally lose their minds. The team continues to finish near the bottom of the league in sacks each year, ranking 31st last season with 31 total.
The Falcons have heavily invested in their offense over the last four drafts while largely neglecting their defense. General manager Terry Fontenot has yet to select an offensive player in the first round since taking the job in 2021.
As NFL mocks drafts come out at warp speed, analysts are almost unanimously projecting Atlanta to address its defense early. A new network mock draft from USA TODAY Sports projected the Falcons to take Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker at pick No. 15.
"The Falcons would be thrilled to land a player of Walker’s caliber at No. 15 in this year’s draft," wrote For The Win's Cory Woodroof. "He is the exact kind of high-energy, high-ceiling pass-rusher the franchise has craved for years now. While he’d need time to reach his potential, he would immediately give Atlanta the kind of player it loves at outside linebacker."
Walker is an interesting prospect because he's being projected as an edge rusher but spent more time as an off-ball linebacker at Georgia. His versatility should be viewed as a positive as he was still able to record 6.5 sacks last season despite lining up all over.
Other options at pick No. 15 include Marshall's Mike Green, Georgia's Mykel Williams and Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart. Check out the team's recent pre-draft visits below.
Make sure to check out our latest pre-draft starting lineup projections for the Falcons in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Falcons take Jalon Walker in latest mock
Continue reading...
The Falcons have heavily invested in their offense over the last four drafts while largely neglecting their defense. General manager Terry Fontenot has yet to select an offensive player in the first round since taking the job in 2021.
As NFL mocks drafts come out at warp speed, analysts are almost unanimously projecting Atlanta to address its defense early. A new network mock draft from USA TODAY Sports projected the Falcons to take Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker at pick No. 15.
"The Falcons would be thrilled to land a player of Walker’s caliber at No. 15 in this year’s draft," wrote For The Win's Cory Woodroof. "He is the exact kind of high-energy, high-ceiling pass-rusher the franchise has craved for years now. While he’d need time to reach his potential, he would immediately give Atlanta the kind of player it loves at outside linebacker."
Walker is an interesting prospect because he's being projected as an edge rusher but spent more time as an off-ball linebacker at Georgia. His versatility should be viewed as a positive as he was still able to record 6.5 sacks last season despite lining up all over.
Other options at pick No. 15 include Marshall's Mike Green, Georgia's Mykel Williams and Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart. Check out the team's recent pre-draft visits below.
Falcons' recent pre-draft visits
- Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
- USC DB Jaylin Smith
- Georgia LB Chaz Chambliss
- Georgia TE Ben Yurosek
- William & Mary OL Charles Grant
- LSU EDGE Bradyn Swinson
- Pittsburgh WR Konata Mumpfield
- Memphis LB Chandler Martin
- UCF DB BJ Adams
- Georgia OL Dylan Fairchild
- South Carolina EDGE Kyle Kennard
- Texas WR Isaiah Bond
Make sure to check out our latest pre-draft starting lineup projections for the Falcons in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Falcons take Jalon Walker in latest mock
Continue reading...
