The Atlanta Falcons roster could look significantly different next season, depending on how they handle their 20 pending unrestricted free agents. Adding to the challenge, Atlanta currently holds just four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As has been well-documented, one of the Falcons’ most glaring needs—whether addressed through the draft or free agency—is fixing their defensive front and pass rush. Atlanta has been one of the worst pass-rushing teams in the NFL in recent years and has failed to find a long-term solution.
That weakness was evident yet again last season, even after the team traded with the New England Patriots for veteran linebacker Matthew Judon. In 17 games, Judon recorded just 5.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, and seven tackles for loss. However, four of those sacks and five of those tackles for loss came in the final seven games.
The trade cost the Falcons a third-round pick but ultimately didn’t elevate their defense, making it likely that Judon will hit free agency. That only reinforces the need for Atlanta to prioritize pass-rushing help with their first-round selection.
In Sporting News writer Vinnie Iyer’s latest mock draft, he has the Falcons doing just that—but not with one of the more notable names often linked to them, such as James Pearce Jr., Nic Scourton, or Mykel Williams. Instead, he projects Atlanta to select Marshall’s Mike Green.
“The Falcons seem to have a perpetual need for a dominant edge pass rusher, and getting an aging Matthew Judon was just a desperation Band-Aid for Raheem Morris,” Iyer wrote. “They need to revamp their pressure for new DC Jeff Ulbrich. Green’s huge week at the Senior Bowl, combined with his explosiveness and high college production, lines up well.”
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Green was his size, as he was previously listed at 235 pounds. However, at the Senior Bowl, he weighed in at 251 pounds—easing some of those concerns.
Green had a dominant final season at Marshall, recording 17 sacks—just half a sack shy of Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. in 2021—and 23 tackles for loss. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 92.5 overall grade, with 59 pressures, a 20.1% win rate, and a 90.2 run defense grade.
Given that Green played at a Group of Five school like Marshall, this is a pick that some Falcons fans might initially dismiss. However, if Green can continue building off his impressive final college season and standout Senior Bowl performance, he could be exactly what Atlanta has been searching for.
