The Atlanta Falcons made defense their top priority in the 2025 NFL Draft. They went all-in on that side of the ball, using nearly every pick to strengthen their defense, making just one selection to support the offense.
The Falcons landed Jalon Walker and James Pearce in the first round—two of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in the draft. Head coach Raheem Morris made it clear that last season’s failure to pressure opposing quarterbacks had become unacceptable.
“Raheem Morris says he was tired of getting grilled for the lack of a pass rush for the Falcons, and they were intentional about fixing that this offseason,” Will McFadden wrote. “That’s got to change, and the only way to change that is to change that.”
On offense, the Falcons should still be fun to watch, with their young core developing into experienced playmakers. Michael Penix Jr. is expected to take over as the starting quarterback—but the presence of Kirk Cousins, along with how his signing was handled, has created some tension.
“The Falcons are gambling that sophomore first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. can do more with a stacked group of offensive weapons than Kirk Cousins could in 2024, but with the tantalizing caveat that the expensive Cousins also remains on the roster,” Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon wrote. “Bring on the drama.”
Penix is projected to have a breakout season and could finally be the long-term answer at quarterback for Atlanta since the departure of Matt Ryan. However, as USA Today’s Jacob Camenker notes, the pressure is high—not just for Penix, but for Morris as well.
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“One would think Atlanta would have a longer leash with Morris, but the team believed it would be a playoff contender in 2024 and finished with an 8-9 record. Arthur Blank turns 83 in September, so if he doesn’t see enough growth from second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in 2025, he may consider moving on from Morris in favor of an offensive-minded coach,” Camenker wrote.
While Morris is only in his second year as head coach, expectations are mounting. The Falcons believe they have a playoff-caliber roster. But if the team underperforms again, Morris’s tenure in Atlanta could be shorter than expected.
