Here’s hoping they don’t stay there once the season starts!
One of the best feelings in the world is the feeling of optimism. This weekend, Atlanta Falcons fans felt that optimism for the first time as Terry Fontenot put on a masterclass of drafting for value. According to Arif Hasan’s Consensus board, Fontenot did not reach for a single prospect and brought in a litany of UDFAs to arouse more excitement, most notably former three-time All-Big-12 cornerback Cobee Bryant.
With this much value for a team that was just outside the playoff picture last season, there has to be a semblance of optimism about Atlanta’s prospects in 2025, right?
Well, let’s just say the national NFL media isn’t impressed. After four years under Terry Fontenot, everyone outside the 404 area code needs to see more before believing in the Falcons again. Atlanta started on the lower end of most NFL experts’ post-draft power rankings.
There are still needle-moving actions they can take to bring more optimism. Last we heard, they were one of the few teams in the running for a potential Jalen Ramsey trade. Also, a potential Kirk Cousins trade post-June 1st could alleviate room for Atlanta to get more aggressive in bringing in one last piece to help push the Falcons into the playoffs.
However, until then, people outside of Atlanta will continue to place the Falcons at the lower end of the NFC totem pole.
Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what some media members had to say in their latest power rankings.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: 21st, 13th in NFC, 2nd in NFC South
I didn’t like the trade up and selection of edge rusher James Pearce Jr. in the moment, and even some time passing and dust settling have yet to make me see the light of that aggressive first-round move. It felt like an unnecessarily bold selection, even while adding another layer of pass-rush talent (which was a big need). I hope I am proven wrong on that, believe it or not. Some of the Falcons’ picks actually got me a little excited, especially given where they got LB/edge Jalon Walker (15th overall) and S Xavier Watts (96th). Other decisions, like doubling up at safety and not crossing off a few other checklist items, had me scratching my head. And they still need to sort out the Kirk Cousins situation. Atlanta has the potential to make noise next season if Michael Penix Jr. takes a big leap forward, but I don’t know if I am fully on board yet.
Steve Serby, New York Post: 21st, 13th in NFC, 2nd in NFC South
No. 1 draft picks Jalon Walker and Michael Pearce Jr. should juice the moribund pass rush but all those offensive weapons will be at the mercy of Michael Penix Jr.
Josh Kendall, The Athletic: 24th, 13th in NFC, 2nd in NFC South
The Falcons needed edge rushers and defensive backs and got two of each, but they traded away next year’s first-round pick and fifth-round pick to get the ones they wanted. If Walker and James Pearce Jr. fix the pass rush finally, and if safety Xavier Watts can compete for starting snaps, it’ll be worth it. If not, Atlanta will miss the playoffs for an eighth straight season.
Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report: 19th, 11th in NFC, 2nd in NFC South
The Atlanta Falcons entered 2025 with one massively glaring need—for the second time in the past three seasons, the Falcons amassed the second-fewest sacks in the league in 2024. Atlanta signed veteran Leonard Floyd in free agency, but the team was only getting started. First, the Falcons selected Georgia “tweener” Jalon Walker at No. 15. Then the team went all-in, sending a package of picks (including a first-rounder in 2026) to the Los Angeles Rams to move up and draft Tennessee edge-rusher James Pearce Jr. The Pearce pick wasn’t especially well-received, but general manager Terry Fontenot defended it while speaking to the media. ”Well, if you look at the trade from yesterday,” Fontenot said, “basically what we did is we used our first-round pick this year, right? When you really think about it, what we gave up for it is we went from the second round to the third round, if you really put it in a nutshell. It’s about who the player is, and we’re not being irresponsible about it. We’re making decisions based on conviction and love for players and knowing the impact they’re going to make on this team.” Of course, not everyone hated the deal. That may be foreshadowing.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. can be the difference in the Falcons finally pulling themselves out of the muck of mediocrity and actually compete for a division title and possibly more. The offense has had significant talent for years. Now, Atlanta finally understood the assignment and loaded up on defensive talent during the 2025 NFL draft, with Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. bringing legitimate pass-rush juice.
Pro Football Network: 18th, 10th in NFC, 2nd in NFC South
The Atlanta Falcons finished with the 10th-ranked offense in 2024, but that unit still has much uncertainty. That’s solely due to the unknown ceiling of Michael Penix Jr., who fared reasonably well in his three-game cameo to end last season but will be the unquestioned starter for 2025. What’s certain is that Penix will likely need to perform at a reasonably high level given the defensive shortcomings. Atlanta dropped from 11th in 2023 to 29th in 2024, with the pass rush once again serving as the team’s inexorable weakness. The front office made it a priority to address that weakness through the draft, taking Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. with their first two picks. Both players possess enticing physical traits and join Leonard Floyd, Arnold Ebiketie, and Bralen Trice in a group that should perform better in 2025. The Falcons also added a bona fide playmaking safety in Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts to solidify the back end. Six of the Falcons’ nine losses in 2024 came by a single score, as Atlanta was in control of the division most of the year. That suggests they could be a surprise playoff team if Penix develops quickly, particularly given the NFC South’s perpetual weakness.
Robert Zeglinski, Cory Woodroof & Christian D’Andrea, USA Today’s For The Win: 19th, 11th in NFC, 2nd in NFC South
Michael Penix Jr. is coming. His first three starts should have the rest of the NFL on notice. The defense … well, the draft hints that at least it won’t be boring!