PFF identifies Falcons’ perfect 2025 NFL draft prospect

For what feels like the 10th year in a row, the Atlanta Falcons will enter the offseason searching for a pass rusher. In 2024, the team lost Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell in free agency. This time around, the Falcons may lose starting outside linebackers Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter.

Atlanta’s lone bright spot at the position is Arnold Ebiketie. The former second-round pick recorded 39 pressures and six sacks last season. Ebiketie should play a bigger role in 2025, but the team could still use some help up front.

The 2025 NFL draft is one potential option for the Falcons to address this need. The team holds pick No. 15 and there should be some solid options available. So which players would be a good fit in Atlanta?

Pro Football Focus labeled one perfect draft prospect for each NFL team.  Georgia linebacker Mykel Williams was named the Falcons’ ideal target by PFF’s Jordan Plocher and Josh Liskiewitz:

The Falcons generated pressure on only 28.9% of their defensive plays in 2024, which ranked No. 31 in the league. The defender that generated the most pressures for the Falcons in 2024 was Kaden Elliss, who is more of a true off-the-ball linebacker than an edge defender, so they could use some more pressures from their defensive line moving forward. 

Mykel Williams is a tall 6-foot-5 defender who is so athletic that he can play multiple positions along the line and rush standing up or down in a stance. Williams is already a stout run defender who posted run defense grades over 80.0 in the last two seasons. Williams is still developing as a pass-rusher and in 2024, Williams recorded five sacks, six QB hits and 15 hurries. — PFF

The Falcons just hired Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator and we expect them to focus heavily on retooling their defense during the offseason. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t have a ton of draft capital to work with.

Atlanta currently has three draft picks but general manager Terry Fontenot indicated the team may trade down to acquire more picks, which would help fill out the roster for 2025.

Check out the team’s list of impending free agents on offense and defense as we approach the start of the new league year. The 2025 NFL draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25.