The Falcons will still have a shot at high-level talent and addressing their needs at the end of the third round.
The Atlanta Falcons made a big splash on the first day of the 2025 NFL Draft, and I applaud them for it. Fontenot addressed the pass rush with a historic level of aggression by drafting Jalon Walker at 15 and trading up for James Pearce Jr.
Atlanta lost pick 46 in the trade for Pearce but acquired pick 101 from the Rams in the process. It’s the second-to-last pick of Round 3. A plethora of quality prospects remain, and Fontenont can still add an impact player today.
Here are the best-remaining prospects that the Falcons could target:
- iDL CJ West, Indiana
- iDL Jordan Phillips, Maryland
- iDL Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon
- CB Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
- CB Cobee Bryant, Kansas
- CB Justin Walley, Minnesota
- TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
- S Billy Bowman Jr, Oklahoma
- LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
This interior defensive line class is deep, and the Falcons have the potential to land a solid prospect at pick 101. Caldwell didn’t test well, but his film is impressive, and at pick 101, he’s worth betting on. West and Phillips would be my top choices. Both have a similar skill set and would be disruptive in the A gaps.
CB isn’t top-heavy this year, but there are good options in this range. Corners like Parrish and Bryant offer slot help, which the Falcons desperately need if they’re going to be in nickel at a high rate again. Walley is a late riser this cycle, and it’s easy to see why. He looks comfortable in both man and zone and has the ability to play inside and out. He has over 30 starts under his belt and many qualities that Jerry Grey covets.
Justin Walley was the final 2025 prospect I watched. Ended the class on a high note pic.twitter.com/com4P8b2Lt
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) April 22, 2025
Helm, Bowman, and Stutsman aren’t priorities, but they are some of the most talented players projected to be available. It’s easy to imagine Fontenot and the brass talking themselves into a BPA approach.
We’ll have to wait longer than we expected to see the Falcons next pick, but it could be worth the wait if Atlanta can continue to address their most significant needs.