The Atlanta Falcons are in win-now mode and their two youngest players are a direct reflection of that mindset. After finishing 2024 with a disappointing 8-9 record, the Falcons knew were especially weak at getting to the quarterback.
So, the team was aggressive in the 2025 NFL Draft, pushing all of their chips in to draft the two best pass rushers in the draft. The Falcons have made a conscious effort to improve their defense with controllable talent, and their roster reflects it. They also have a hidden gem on special teams.
The Youngest Players on the Atlanta Falcons
1. James Pearce Jr. – EDGE – 6’5″, 243 lbs – Age 21 – Rookie – Tennessee
The Atlanta Falcons desperately needed a pass rusher, and boy did they pay dearly to get one. They traded their 2026 first-round pick to the Rams to get back into the first round and grab James Pearce Jr., who was one of the most dynamic edge rushers of the entire 2025 NFL Draft. He explodes off the line with elite bend and closing speed. He had 19.6% pressure rate since 2023, second in the FBS only to Abdul Carter. Pearce will immediately join the edge rotation with Leonard Floyd, Arnold Ebiketie, and Bralen Trice.
2. Jalon Walker – EDGE – 6’2″, 245 lbs – Age 21 – Rookie -Georgia
Jalon Walker could be the steal of the draft for the Falcons at 15th overall. Walker’s hybrid skill set makes him dangerous off the edge and as a SAM linebacker. He showed burst and instincts at Georgia, often playing behind a stacked front seven. He dropped because some teams may have seen him as more a “tweener” because of his lack of length. The Falcons ignored that and focused on his energy, awareness, and versatility. His selection is a case of not overthinking it.
3. Billy Bowman Jr. – DB – 5’9″, 192 lbs – Age 22 – Rookie – Oklahoma
The Falcons grabbed Billy Bowman Jr. in the fourth round of the 2025 draft. He’s a compact, athletic defensive back with experience at safety and slot corner. Bowman thrives in space. He anticipates routes well and has returner-level acceleration. His tackling can be hit or miss against larger backs, but his football IQ and range should make him an early contributor in nickel packages.
4. Lenny Krieg – K – 6’1″, 211 lbs – Age 22 – Rookie
Lenny Krieg is the Falcons’ hidden gem. Krieg grew up playing soccer in Berlin, Germany. His brother came home from the University of Wisconsin raving about American football. Krieg then taught himself how to placekick using YouTube videos. He went on to kick for the Berlin Adler of the German Football League and the Stuttgart Surge of the European Football League. He participated in the 2025 NFL Combine and hit 14 of 14 kicks, the only kicker at the combine to do so. He signed a three-year contract with the Falcons in March 2025.
5. Jase McClellan – RB – 5’11”, 215 lbs – Age 22 – Year 2 – Alabama
Jase McClellan is a powerful one-cut runner with a championship pedigree from his time at Alabama. Injuries limited his college ceiling, but his vision, pass blocking, and low center of gravity make him an intriguing RB2 and a solid insurance policy behind Bijan Robinson.
6. Zach Harrison – DL – 6’5″, 270 lbs – Age 23 – Year 3 – Ohio State
Zach Harrison is a long, athletic lineman with huge upside that hasn’t yet fully translated his traits into consistent production. He flashes on tape—especially against the run—but still needs to develop his pass-rushing skills. He’s a rotational piece with starting potential.
7. Drake London – WR – 6’4″, 215 lbs – Age 23 – Year 4 – USC
Drake London is already one of the franchise’s crown jewels. He combines size, body control, and catch radius to bully DBs at the point of attack. Entering Year 4, he’s still just 23 and poised for a breakout with more consistent QB play. He’s a clear-cut WR1 building block.
8. Ruke Orhorhoro – DT – 6’4″, 295 lbs – Age 23 – Year 2 – Clemson
Ruke Orhorhoro brings athleticism and burst to the interior line. He’s explosive off the snap with good hands and lateral movement, though he’s still developing consistency against double teams. He could become a key interior rusher in sub-packages.
9. Clark Phillips III – CB – 5’9″, 185 lbs – Age 23 – Year 3 – Utah
What he lacks in height, Clark Phillips III makes up for with competitiveness and ball skills. A polished technician with natural instincts, he’ll fight for starting nickel reps. He needs to avoid mismatches vs. bigger wideouts, but he plays with heart.
10 (1). Makai Polk – WR – 6’3″, 197 lbs – Age 23 – Year 1 – Mississippi State
Makai Polk is a long-striding receiver who put up huge numbers in the Air Raid system. Polk’s precise routes and sure hands make him a reliable depth option. He lacks elite speed but could earn a WR4/5 role with special-teams value.
10 (2). Bijan Robinson – RB – 5’11”, 215 lbs – Age 23 – Year 3 – Texas
He’s another one of the franchise’s crown jewels. Bijan Robinson combines vision, power, and elite receiving skills. The 2023 first-rounder is a modern three-down back with All-Pro upside. Despite his age, he’s one of the team’s most complete young stars, and he’s still on a rookie contract.