Fаlconѕ mаy һаve wаѕted 2025 drаft pіck followіng lаteѕt report

The Falcons might have thrown away a valuable 2025 draft pick.

On Monday, Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter revealed the Falcons and edge-rusher Matthew Judon, who played on an expiring deal in 2024, haven't had contract discussions yet this offseason. 

The Falcons traded a 2025 third-round pick (No. 77 overall) to the Patriots for Judon during training camp last season.

Judon finished the year with 5.5 sacks, five passes defended and an interception. Per Pro Football Focus data, he ranked fourth on the Falcons with 25 total pressures.

The Falcons only have five picks in this year's draft, including a paltry three in the top 200.

Atlanta was docked a fifth-round pick and fined $250,000 for violating the league's anti-tampering policy when signing 2024 free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner.

The Falcons also traded their sixth-round pick to the Rams for wide receiver Van Jefferson and a 2025 seventh-rounder — No. 218 overall before all compensatory picks are awarded — in October 2023.

Atlanta is sending a pick to the Eagles due to conditions of a 2023 trade for defensive tackle Kentavius Street. Per PhillyVoice's Jimmy Kempski, the Eagles initially traded Street and their 2025 seventh-round pick to the Falcons for a 2024 sixth-rounder under the condition that Street play six games for Atlanta in 2023. 

In his fifth game with the Falcons, he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury, making the final trade package Street for Atlanta's 2025 seventh-rounder.

Atlanta acquired an additional seventh-round pick from the Chargers for quarterback Taylor Heinicke, which could have been a sixth-round selection had Heinicke reached certain benchmarks in Los Angeles.

Most of those transactions failed spectacularly.

Cousins started 14 games last season before being benched after throwing nine interceptions and one touchdown in a five-game span. 

Woerner caught seven passes for 46 yards, while Jefferson had 12 receptions for 101 yards before signing with the Steelers during free agency last offseason. Street has two sacks in 18 games for the Falcons and is a pending free agent.

Mooney was the best signing, finishing 2024 with 64 receptions, 992 yards and five touchdowns.

Per Over The Cap, the Falcons are one of five teams above the projected 2025 salary cap, currently $4.988 million over the estimated $279.5 million cap.

In a challenging financial situation, Atlanta could struggle to manipulate the cap to keep Judon. But it also can't afford to allow him to walk.

The Falcons have had the league's worst pass rush under general manager Terry Fontenot, and they can't expect a rookie edge-rusher (if they select one in the first round) to flip the unit on his own. Atlanta needs as much depth as it can get.

If Judon departs, the Falcons' pass rush will become an even bigger concern. With the two sides failing to hold discussions, Atlanta risks that becoming a reality.