
The Atlanta Falcons have the 15th pick in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 24 in Green Bay. The Falcons own just five picks in the seven-round draft.
Falcons’ draft picks
ROUND | PICK | OVERALL | NOTES |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
15 |
15 |
|
2 |
14 |
46 |
|
4 |
16 |
118 |
|
7 |
2 |
218 |
From Browns |
7 |
26 |
242 |
From Rams |
Full draft order
Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.
NFL Draft details
- Round 1: April 24, 8 p.m. ET
- Rounds 2-3: April 25, 7 p.m. ET
- Rounds 4-7: April 26, noon ET
About the Falcons
- General manager: Terry Fontenot (fifth season with team)
- Head coach: Raheem Morris (second season with team)
- Last year’s record: 8-9
The Falcons posted the franchise’s seventh straight losing season in 2024 but finished the year with at least some internal optimism thanks to the play of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who started the final three games. The offense finished 13th in scoring (22.9) and returns mostly intact with, in theory, an improved quarterback. The defense is a different story. Atlanta finished 23rd in points allowed (24.9), released defensive line stalwart Grady Jarrett and didn’t make any splashy free-agency additions. Morris’ second season as head coach will be interesting.
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Scouting the decision-makers
Atlanta has trumpeted its collaborative approach since Fontenot was hired as GM before the 2021 season. Fontenot and former head coach Arthur Smith and now Morris all insist that no one in the room dominates the decision-making. This will be Fontenot’s fifth draft with the Falcons, and it could be his last if the team’s fortunes don’t change.
Falcons’ key free-agent signings
- Edge Leonard Floyd: One-year, $10 million deal
- LB Divine Deablo: Two-year, $14 million deal
- DE Morgan Fox: Two-year, $8.5 million deal
- CB Mike Ford: Two-year, $4 million deal
Falcons’ 2025 free-agency tracker
Falcons’ key positions of need
Edge rusher: The Falcons finished 31st in sacks last year with 31, and this is the only franchise in the league with fewer than 300 sacks (298) in the last 10 years combined and fewer than 640 sacks (606) in the last 20 years combined. Veteran Leonard Floyd joined in free agency, and last year’s third-round pick, Bralen Trice, returns after missing all of last year with a torn ACL. But it still will be a big surprise if the Falcons don’t draft an edge rusher in either the first or second round.
Cornerback: Both starting cornerbacks from last year — A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes — return, but there’s still a big need at the position. Last year’s starting nickel, Dee Alford, remains unsigned in free agency, and Atlanta would clearly like an upgrade at that position. If one of the draft’s marquee corners is available at No. 15, that might be the pick with the thought that Hughes could bump inside to nickel.
Offensive tackle: Left tackle Jake Matthews is entering his 12th season and right tackle Kaleb McGary is entering his seventh season. The Falcons shouldn’t take the stability at that position for granted and, at the very least, need to be thinking about the future. There’s no heir apparent for Matthews’ or McGary’s starting jobs whenever the time comes, and getting one in the building this offseason might be wise.
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Falcons’ draft analysis
Falcons NFL Draft big board: 3 tiers, 21 players and options for extra picks
All-32: Each NFL team’s biggest remaining need after 2025 free agency
Falcons mailbag: What’s going to happen with Kirk Cousins and the NFL Draft?
Falcons mock draft reaction: Is Jalon Walker too good to be true for Atlanta?
2025 NFL Draft consensus Big Board: Abdul Carter holds at No. 1; Armand Membou rises
2025 NFL Draft Big Board: Who are the top 100 prospects in this year’s class?
The Athletic’s latest mock drafts
March 24: Ben Standig mock draft
Falcons address their pass rush with Texas A&M DE Shemar Stewart
March 21: Beat writer mock draft 2.0
Falcons add to their secondary with South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori
March 10: Nick Baumgardner rounds 1-3 mock draft
Michigan CB Will Johnson leads a pair of defensive picks for Atlanta
March 6: Falcons 7-round mock draft
Trades result in the Falcons taking Texas CB Jahdae Barron at No. 19
March 5: Dane Brugler mock draft
Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker is the pick at No. 15
(Photo of Josh Simmons: Jay LaPrete / Associated Press)
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