The Atlanta Falcons defense recorded 20 sacks over the final six games but finished with just 31 total in 2024 (31st in the NFL). Even if you believe sacks are overrated, the Falcons have finished near the bottom of the league for the majority of their seven-year playoff drought.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will have his hands full figuring out a solution in 2025, especially with a lack of salary cap space and numerous free agents on defense. The Falcons must re-sign or replace Matthew Judon, Lorenzo Carter, Mike Hughes and Justin Simmons — all starters in 2024.
The 2025 NFL draft is the team’s best option to upgrade these defensive holes. But what will the Falcons do with the 15th overall pick? ESPN’s Matt Miller envisions the Falcons addressing the secondary or the pass rush in Round 1:
Will the Falcons shock us again in Round 1? It’s more likely the front office will do what we expected them to do last season and focus on defense. Both cornerback and defensive end remain big-time needs, and the 2025 class is rich at both spots. Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. would give them a speedy pass rush presence. He’s coming off a 7.5-sack season with a pass rush win rate of 18.6%, tied for second best in the FBS. — Matt Miller, ESPN
Pearce is ranked ninth on Pro Football Focus’ 2025 NFL big board. In a class full of high-potential pass rushers, the Tennessee standout has the production to back it up. Over the last two seasons, Pearce has recorded 21 sacks and 71 hurries.
If Pearce falls to the Falcons at pick No. 15, it would be hard to imagine them passing on the young edge rusher. This team desperately needs an impact player up front, and Pearce would check that off the list.
General manager Terry Fontenot suggested the Falcons could trade down at his end-of-the-year press conference. 2025 will be the first year that Fontenot doesn’t enter the draft with a top-10 pick.
The Falcons have hit on their first-round picks in the last four drafts but haven’t done much beyond Round 1. Perhaps trading down will give the team a better chance to hit on some of those mid-round picks in 2025.