FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The 2025 NFL Draft has officially wrapped, and the Falcons made a substantial investment in their defense during the three-day event.
Despite making only five selections, which ties the fewest for a draft class in franchise history, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris feel their team added several impact players to their roster, a primary goal for Atlanta.
"I couldn't be more pleased with obviously the class and what was available to us and to be able to go out there and get that thing accomplished like that," Morris said. "I can't say enough positive things about us."
Below is a full recap of the Falcons' 2025 draft class.
Round 1 - Pick No. 15
With the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker.
Walker may have been just a one-year starter for Kirby Smart, but his overall impact and playmaking ability makes him arguably the top edge rusher/linebacker not named Abdul Carter in this year's class. Despite his smaller frame when compared to other edge rushers, Walker's upside is exactly what he showed at Georgia: An ability to consistently put a quarterback under pressure.
How he fits with the Falcons: Call him an edge rusher. Call him a linebacker. Call him a hybrid of the two. Whatever you call him, just make sure you know to use the word "versatile" when describing his play, because that's exactly what it is. Walker is the type of player defensive coordinators would love to move around the front-seven while putting creative rush plans together for him. This tracks for why the Falcons would want him seeing as what they've liked to do with Kaden Elliss in the past. For Walker, that's a role that he values himself, saying he is at his best when he's used as a chess piece. For the Falcons, continuing to unlock his potential in this way — as a hybrid, chess piece of sorts — could pay dividends for what the Falcons could do defensively. - Tori McElhaney
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Round 1 - Pick No. 26
After trading back into the first round, the Atlanta Falcons selected University of Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In the trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons gave up pick Nos. 46 and 242 in this year's draft as well as their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In addition to the No. 26 pick, the Falcons will also receive pick No. 101 this year.
How he fits with the Falcons: The Falcons needed to add juice to their pass rush, and Pearce brings a lot of juice. He's an athletic player who stays clean by ripping, dipping and dancing his way past offensive tackles. Pearce has elite first-step explosiveness and will have opponents on their back foot in the blink of an eye. Don't expect Pearce to hold up at the point of attack in the run game, but that's not what he's here to do. The Falcons need someone to get after the quarterback, and he does that as well as any player in this draft class as evidenced by his 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons. - Will McFadden
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Round 3 - Pick No. 96
The Atlanta Falcons traded up in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select University of Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts with the No. 96 overall pick.
The Falcons received No. 96 from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Atlanta's No. 101, also in the third round, and a 2026 fifth-rounder.
How he fits with the Falcons: Watts doesn't have athleticism that leaps off the tape or rare size, but he is an excellent football player. He has a feel for the game that seems almost preternatural at times, as evidenced by his 13 interceptions the last two seasons, which were the most of any player in college football. Like many of the defenders Atlanta has sought in the draft, Watts is a versatile player who played free safety, box safety and even linebacker during his career with the Irish. Watts also fits the character profile the Falcons seek and was a two-time team captain. Pairing Watts with Jessie Bates gives Atlanta two safeties with very high football IQs that can work well off of each other to create confusion for opposing quarterbacks. - Will McFadden
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Round 4 - Pick No. 118
The Atlanta Falcons selected University of Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. with the No. 118 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Bowman joins Xavier Watts as the second college safety drafted. Watts was the Falcons' No. 96 pick Friday in the fourth round. Together, they enter a position room that features Jessie Bates III, Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams.
How he fits with the Falcons: He's a really good downhill player who is quick to come up and be physical against the run. Bowman could fill a box safety/nickel role, similar to a way they utilized Kevin King last year. Bowman has all of the traits to be a core special teams player as well. Bowman's biggest knock against him is shorter arms — at 28 ½ inches, with a wingspan of 70 ¾ inches — but he is often in the right place due to his high level football IQ and is a fearless defender. - Will McFadden
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Round 7 - Pick No. 218
The Atlanta Falcons selected University of Wisconsin offensive tackle Jack Nelson with the No. 218 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
How he fits with the Falcons: Nelson was a four-year starter for Wisconsin. He is super durable, having played in all 51 of the Badgers' games from 2021-24. He started 50 of those, too. While Nelson has the most experience at left tackle, he has taken reps across the offensive line. Nelson will be a developmental depth piece for the Falcons' otherwise veteran offensive line. - Terrin Waack
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Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Draft Coverage
- Tori McElhaney's mock drafts: Version 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0
- Prospect previews: Edge rushers | D-line | cornerbacks | safeties | O-line
- McFadden’s 7-round mock | McElhaney’s 7-round mock | Waack’s 7-round mock
- Falcons Insider Draft Guide
- Where to watch and stream the 2025 NFL Draft
- Where the Falcons pick in the draft
- Falcons keeping close eye on “loaded” defensive draft
- Medical, background checks a serious part of process for Falcons
- The benefits and hurdles of trading back in the draft
- Keith Brooking to announce Falcons draft pick
- Atlanta willing to trade back if opportunity is right
- Falcons have special way of noting Georgia prospects
- A look at Falcons’ draft trade history under Terry Fontenot
- Falcons know they need to "get the picks right"
Join us as we take a look at the 2025 NFL draft class for the Atlanta Falcons, presented by American Family Insurance.
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sets up for a play against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sacks TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) during the second half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) works against Florida offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) reacts to making a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
UTEP quarterback JP Pickles (19) is sacked by Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) lines up for a play during an NCAA football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas won 19-14. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
Photos of the Georgia Tech vs Notre Dame Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) leaps up to try and make an interception near the sideline as Northern Illinois full back Brock Lampe (49) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) tries to rip the ball away from Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Scenes from the College Football National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) celebrates after intercepting a Texas pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) tackles UCF running back RJ Harvey (7) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. warms up before an NCAA college football game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Dallas. Texas won 34-3. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) tackles BYU running back Aidan Robbins (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson smiles on the bench during the an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Wisconsin's Jack Nelson lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin's Jack Nelson lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
