(Written for prompt that needed to be between 350-450 words in length, enjoy.)
After receiving positive results from 2024 NFL first-round draft pick, Michael Penix Jr., that came sooner than expected, the Atlanta Falcons future appears bright. It’s important to note though, the four year, $180 million dollar contract of Kirk Cousins certainly is hindering the team’s ability to improve the roster. However, the injection of incoming rookies from the 2025 NFL Draft will certainly make the inclusion of Cousin’s contract in the Falcons salary cap hurt much less.
The Falcons had a considerably smaller draft class when compared to other teams in the NFL. However, that doesn’t seem to be an issue for them. All five of the Falcons 2025 draft picks have made the team’s 53-man roster to begin the 2025 Season. The Falcons are just one of eight teams in the National Football League to have this happen this season, and that should be something that’s celebrated.
With the Falcons allowing their opponents to gain a total of 5,868 yards in 17 games last season, bad enough for the 10th most yards given up in the NFL, it makes sense that four of their five 2025 draft picks are defensive players.
Linebacker/Edge Rusher Jalon Walker from Georgia and Tennessee Edge Rusher James Pearce Jr. have the most eyes on them. Both players were first-round draft picks, yet are currently listed as backups behind starters Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie. With the team’s defensive struggles last season however, the injection of both Walker and Pearce Jr. into games will certainly happen relatively early into the season.
The other two defensive draft picks, Notre Dame Safety Xavier Watts, and Oklahoma Safety Billy Bowman, are also two players that fans need to keep an eye out for. Watts was a multiple time All-American while at the University of Notre Dame while also being awarded the Bronko Nagurski award for his play during the 2023 NCAA Season. Bowman was First Team All-Big 12 in 2023. Additionally, the 2024 Oklahoma defense that Bowman was a part of also gave up the seventh least amount of rushing touchdowns in the NCAA.
So while the Falcons had their defensive struggles during the 2024 NFL season, and have the large contract of now backup QB, Kirk Cousins, to deal with on the offensive side of the ball, the 2025 Rookie Class for Atlanta should be exactly the youth injection that the team needs to improve their poor defense from last season.
SLOT 