15 top NFL Draft targets for Falcons in Dane Brugler’s Top 100

Three picks in the Top 120. How many of these top prospects will don the red and black in April?

After using an aggressive amount of resources to optimize the 2024 season, the 2025 off-season doesn’t start great for the Atlanta Falcons. According to OverTheCap.com, they start over $11 million over the projected $272.5 salary cap, buoyed by the exorbitant $40 million cap number from now-projected backup quarterback Kirk Cousins.

On top of that, Atlanta only has five picks in next year’s draft, with only two in the top 100 and the third right on the outskirts at pick 117.

Atlanta Falcons 2025 Draft Picks

• Round 1, Pick #15
• Round 2, Pick #46
• Round 4, Pick #117
• Round 7, Pick #224
• Round 7, Pick TBD

That leads us to today. On Tuesday, the Athletic’s Dane Brugler dropped his Top 100 prospects of the 2025 NFL Draft. This year’s class is interesting, because outside of the two can’t-miss prospects at the top: WR/CB Travis Hunter and EDGE Abdul Carter, there isn’t a consensus on where the rest of these players would fall on teams’ big boards.

Another aspect of Brugler’s Top 100 is the fact that in the top 55 picks, there are only two quarterbacks ranked. With the lack of talent at the position, more focus will be on building the rosters around the quarterback, more specifically in the trenches.

The way the Eagles dismantled the Chiefs and their protection plan in Super Bowl LIX could be something that new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was brought in to do for the Falcons and their consistently anemic pass rush.

Could Atlanta find part of that answer in this draft? Or do they go the route of a premier cornerback to line up alongside A.J. Terrell, who has yet to experience a running mate that will take some of the load off his plate. There’s plenty of places the Falcons can go with the abundance of talent in this draft and only so many picks to get there.

Here are 15 prospects, five for each of Atlanta’s first three picks, that could don the red and black come April.

Round 1, Pick 15

Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams (#16)

Consistent production was absent from his 2024 tape, but Williams battled through an ankle injury much of the year and flashed enough high-end plays to remind teams why he belongs in the first-round mix. He has length for days with the athletic body control and natural power teams will be willing to bet on, even if the nuance in his game isn’t there yet.

Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr. (#21)

Long and athletic, Pearce is able to convert his speed to power, and he rushes from a low position to forklift blockers using his extended levers. There are some question marks about his ability in the run game, but he chases with terrific effort to make stops near the sidelines.

In several ways, Pearce reminds me of Will McDonald IV, who wasn’t the most well-rounded prospect but had the juice to create pressure. Pearce’s game will be valued at the next level.

Michigan CB Will Johnson (#13)

After an All-America sophomore season, which included defensive MVP honors in the national championship, Johnson put up-and-down play on his 2024 tape before missing most of his final season due to injuries.

Johnson is comfortable in both press and off-coverage, with the fluid athleticism and route recognition to seamlessly transition or attack the football.

Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell (#23)

Campbell is one of the more interesting prospects in this draft class. Though he doesn’t have top-tier instincts as an off-ball player, his sideline-to-sideline speed and explosiveness lead directly to production (he led Alabama in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles in 2024).

Some teams have him as part of their edge-rusher stack, while others want his promising versatility at linebacker. Regardless, Campbell is a first-round talent.

Marshall EDGE Mike Green (#12)

Too many people are hung up on Green’s size instead of appreciating his edge speed, play violence and the ways in which he impacts the game. He has serious juice as a pass rusher to bend, capture the corner and finish at the quarterback.

He might not have 35-inch arms to easily outleverage blocks in the run game, but he plays with the pop to shock and separate, which allows him to impact the ball carrier. Green also led the FBS this season with 17 sacks.

Round 2, Pick 46

Oregon EDGE Jordan Burch (#51)

Burch is somewhat of a one-trick pony as a pass rusher — he creates pocket push with power. But the 285-pounder has the unique athletic traits to be more, if he improves his setup and secondary moves.

He needs to be more explosive with his hands to shed blocks in the run game, but he showed much improved awareness and finishing skills on his 2024 tape.

Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer (#44)

An Ohio kid who grew up to be a Buckeyes captain, Sawyer increased his number of pressures created from 22 to 37 to 64 over the last three seasons. He will forever be remembered within the program for his strip-sack, 83-yard scoop and score against Texas in the College Football Playoff title game.

He is one-dimensional as a pass rusher and lacks the ideal suddenness or length for an edge player, but his activity level and the strength in his hands make him an every-down factor.

Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison (#55)

Regardless of the coverage, Morrison has terrific foot quickness, body fluidity and technique to mirror early and regain phase late, which allows him make plays on the football without panic. He shows a natural feel in coverage and understands play indicators, although play-strength and durability concerns will follow him to the next level.

As he’s back from his second hip surgery, Morrison’s medicals will be critical for his final grade.

Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston (#54)

Hairston moves fairly effortlessly in all areas of the field, and he plays to his help in man-to-man coverage while showing conviction and awareness in Cover 3. He is a natural making plays at the catch point, but he’s also more scrappy than strong, which will show up against physical NFL receivers and in run support.

Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton (#53)

A thickly built, high-motor rusher, Scourton is a banshee off the edge with the quickness and power to work half-a-man and wear down blockers. His game plan, however, is overly reliant on effort because of his average athletic tools, which keeps his approach relatively basic.

Still, his aggressive worker-bee play style should translate to NFL starting snaps.

Round 4, Pick 117

Kansas CB Cobee Bryant (#96)

Bryant barely tops 170 pounds after a good meal, but he rarely gets punked by size on the field. He is a quick read-react athlete and plays with the compete skills that will speak to NFL coaches.

Texas S Andrew Mukuba (#97)

Plenty of teams won’t consider drafting a sub-200-pound safety, but Mukuba put enough on tape in 2024 to force GMs to rethink that threshold. He is at his best flying through alleys with urgency and conviction.

Ole Miss CB Trey Amos (#93)

At six feet tall with 32-inch arms, Amos can match up well against NFL size. He is very scheme-specific, though, which will eliminate him for several teams. But his consistency in coverage improved each season.

Florida State DT Joshua Farmer (#88)

A lot went wrong for Florida State this season, but there were several bright spots on the defense, such as Azareye’h Thomas at corner and Farmer in the trenches.

A team captain, Farmer is an explosive mover and attacks gaps like a bull in a china shop.

Ole Miss LB Chris Paul (#100)

Though he’s undersized, Paul is a high-energy Mike ‘backer who sees the field well and had the dirtiest jersey on each tape studied. He might not be a fit for every scheme, but I’ll bet he finds a way to be productive at the next level..