FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons will take the field for their first 2025 training camp practice on Thursday, providing the first glimpse of a group with plenty of upside and an air of mystery.
The offense has a lot of young talent and an offensive line that has been among the league's best in recent years. Defensively, a number of offseason additions are expected to help the group improve in some key areas. What the final product looks like is impossible to guess right now, though, and there are some individuals who could really swing that outcome.
Here are the players who would best be served by getting off to a great start in camp.
Michael Penix Jr.
This should come as no surprise. The second-year pro will enter his first training camp as an NFL starting quarterback, and he's surrounded by a desirable cast. With a dominant run game in place, the Falcons don't need to put too much on Penix's plate early. However, if he looks poised and in-sync with his receivers during camp, the offense might open up sooner rather than later. At the very least, a good preseason would imbue the fan base with confidence ahead of the season opener against Tampa Bay.
Ryan Neuzil
Sticking with the offense, let's discuss the man slotted to take over in front of Penix. Neuzil has more NFL experience and started eight games in place of the injured Drew Dalman last year. Those games were a factor in the Falcons feeling comfortable moving forward with Neuzil after Dalman left in free agency. One nuanced aspect of this offense to monitor in preseason will be who is handling the protection assignments and pre-snap communications between Neuzil and Penix. Regardless of how that shakes out, Neuzil can answer any lingering questions with a good camp.
Brandon Dorlus
I chose Dorlus over Ruke Orhorhoro for this spot, which may come as a surprise to some. Entering camp, I think Orhorhoro has a more natural role on the defensive line after Grady Jarrett's departure this offseason. Dorlus has a lot of tools that will be useful on Sundays, but how the team plans to use him remains a bit of a mystery. After spending much of his first year adjusting to the NFL, Dorlus will now get the chance to make his impact. Where he makes that impact is the key question, because Dorlus is a player who could play many spots. Therefore, a standout training camp should not only help clarify his role but also expand it.
Jalon Walker
Walker gets the nod over fellow first-round pick James Pearce Jr. for this, because it can be difficult for a pure edge rusher to show his full potential in practice. However, Walker is a player who might be at his best when used in a variety of ways. The Falcons have said they're going to start Walker off as an edge rusher, so that's where I expect him to begin training camp. But if Walker is able to quickly digest the responsibilities given to him, his versatility could come to light sooner rather than later. It could also have a ripple effect for the rest of the defense.
Younghoe Koo
While much of this offseason has centered around Atlanta's defense, Raheem Morris has made no bones about his desire to be more consistent in the kicking game. Koo endured his worst season as a Falcon in 2024, and he'll have some competition this camp. Atlanta signed German kicker Lenny Krieg this offseason, so Koo will have to earn his spot on this roster with a strong preseason.
