Falcons forge a defensive identity in latest PFN 7-Round mock draft

We’re almost to the draft, and the mocks are arriving at a defensive consensus for Atlanta’s picks

Welcome to the final stretch, Atlanta Falcons fans. After months of mental gymnastics and agonizing over this year’s draft class, the 2025 NFL Draft will be open in only a matter of days. After pulling off one of the most shocking draft moments in recent memory in the 2024 draft, one of the questions surrounding the Falcons is how they will follow up that act in 2025;

Will they stay conservative and stick to consensus, or do they have one more trick up their sleeve? According to Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings, Atlanta does the seemingly impossible task of somehow doing both, while also finding a semblance of a defensive identity. Leave it to the Falcons.

15) Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

We know the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has to be defense, but nailing down the specific position isn’t as simple. There’s a void on the interior, a startling lack of impact players at EDGE, and uncertainty in the secondary. It may come down to value.

In this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Johnson is the best remaining prospect at a position of need for the Falcons. His injury-impacted 2024 campaign has soured his stock a bit, but he’s still a top-flight coverage defender with vision, coverage malleability, and ball skills.

Snagging a cornerback with the instincts and coverage ability of Johnson in the middle of the round would usually be a perfect solution. Johnson fills a need as the corner on the other side of A.J. Terrell and pushes each corner in the room down a notch (Mike Hughes coming off the bench is a much better value than Hughes as CB2). But you can’t help but wonder about the potential opportunity cost of taking Johnson over the EDGE rushers in this class like Mike Green and Mykel Williams.

Notable players still on board: Marshall EDGE Mike Green, Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart, Georgia S Malaki Starks, Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams

46) Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Nick Emmanwori needs to improve his run support diagnosis, but he’s a tantalizing complement to Jessie Bates III with his coverage mobility and closing burst at his size.

Here was the potential issue with going with a cornerback in the first round. Terry Fontenot doesn’t have the usual ammunition to work with for his patented second-round trade-up, so he’s forced to sit and watch names like Nic Scourton, JT Tuimoloau and Landon Jackson fly off the board right in front of them. With no other front-seven players they love here, they build the defense from back to front, solidifying the other safety spot across from Bates. Is it conventional? No. Football is a physical game. Building from the trenches back usually yields better results. However, Emmanwori is a rare athlete who should allow Raheem Morris and Jeff Ulbrich to have a bit more leeway to utilize Bates as a weapon on the backend.

Notable players still on board: Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, LSU EDGE Bradyn Swinson, Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Texas S Andrew Mukuba, Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison

118) Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland

Grabbing a defensive tackle in Phillips that doesn’t add pass-rush juice is certainly a choice, but the Falcons need bodies across the defensive line. Phillips does give you a compact, explosive athlete who could give offensive linemen some trouble with his block-shedding ability. Phillips knows how to use his smaller frame to his advantage, similar to former Falcon Grady Jarrett, even though he’s not the same athlete as Jarrett.

Notable players still on board: Louisville EDGE Ashton Gillotte, Alabama EDGE Que Robinson, UConn OT Chase Lundt, Georgia DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

218) Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse

The Falcons could use another quarterback in the room in case Kirk Cousins decides he doesn’t want to hold the clipboard on the sidelines next season. Kyle McCord showed an attack mode last season at Syracuse that was not present in his time at Ohio State. He isn’t the most athletic option at the position, but he does have the arm strength to air the ball out and has enough deep ball accuracy to make his aggressive approach to the position worthwhile. He led the country last season in passing yards, with the difference between him and Cam Ward in second being more than the difference between Ward and Dillon Gabriel in 8th.

Notable players still on board: Georgia Tech DT Zeek Biggers, Oklahoma State LB Collin Oliver, Rutgers OT Hollin Pierce

242) Johnny Walker, EDGE, Missouri

There you have it, Falcons fans, your 2025 NFL Draft EDGE rusher. Not to be confused with the whiskey, Johnny Walker Jr. has some serious power in his paws generated from those nearly 33-inch arms he has on his 6’2 ⅝ frame. Combine that with a good motor and some nice bend around the edge, and Walker could contend for a spot on the roster. His athleticism at least makes him a good candidate for some special teams work.