The Atlanta Falcons enter the 2025 NFL Draft looking to build around last year’s first-round pick, Michael Penix Jr. As they look to rebuild on the fly, what selections do the Falcons have in the 2025 NFL Draft order, and what needs do they need to look to fill with them?
What Are the Atlanta Falcons’ Draft Picks in 2025?
| Pick | Round | Round Pick No. | Team | Player | Position | School | Notes |
|---|
How Many Picks Do the Falcons Have in the 2025 NFL Draft?
The Falcons currently have five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Three of those five were originally theirs, having traded a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for Matthew Judon ahead of the season.
The Falcons obtained a seventh-round selection from the Cleveland Browns via the Los Angeles Chargers in return for Taylor Heinicke. Additionally, they gained back a seventh-round selection in a pick swap with the Los Angeles Rams.
That same pick swap, however, also cost the Falcons their original sixth-round pick. Meanwhile, their original seventh-round selection was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for defensive tackle Kentavius Street.
What Are the Falcons’ Biggest Needs in 2025?
- CB, DT, EDGE, S, LB
It was a strange season for the Atlanta Falcons. Before things fell apart, they looked to have the NFC South under their control. However, despite missing the playoffs, Michael Penix’s play in his late-season opportunity was promising. Ultimately, the Falcons would finish the season ranked 10th on offense and 29th defensively.
As you might expect, that means a lot of Atlanta’s needs come on defense. Their secondary looks incredibly thin. They have high-end options in A.J. Terrell and Jessie Bates III, but behind them, there is a big drop in talent. Addressing the cornerback issues is the far bigger need out of the two and could be an area they focus on Day 1 or the start of Day 2.
The Falcons also ranked inside the bottom 10 in terms of pressure rate. That, combined with a number of free agents at EDGE, means that Atlanta needs to add more pass-rushing talent. Atlanta also released Grady Jarrett, meaning there is now a need to address the interior of their defensive line. You could make the case that CB, EDGE, and DT are nearly as important as each other in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Just because the offense was good in 2024 does not mean the Falcons shouldn’t be looking to improve it. Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud were both useful options for them last season, but they could still benefit from adding more talent at the position. Similarly, Kyle Pitts flashes in moments but has been underwhelming since they drafted him.
With both Drake London and Pitts set to be free agents next offseason, this year would be a good time for the Falcons to draft either a WR or a TE that they can develop into a potential starter in 2026 if they allow either of those two pass catchers to walk.
