5 ‘the Atlanta Falcons would never draft him’ prospects the Atlanta Falcons should consider drafting

These guys don’t fit the front office’s past history, but they could big-time difference makers for the team.

Everyone’s got a type.

Terry Fontenot likes them long, old, and with measurements in the top percentile of all previously recorded athletes in the database. Some (all of you) might point out that these preferences haven’t yielded great results, and unfortunately, that is an accurate statement.

So, what prospects in 2025 break the current mold and lead to unexplored pastures? Let’s ignore the process vs. results debate for the next 5 minutes and look at 2025 draft prospects that would cause Fontenot and Co. to get out of their comfort zone.

Program Note: Georgia players will not be mentioned in this article as the Falcons have taken a Bulldog in 2/4 drafts (3 players total) during Fontenot’s career. Did you know that the Falcons have drafted more players from the University of Georgia than any other school during the Fontenot era? (Tell your UGA friends).

EDGE David Walker, University of Central Arkansas

Walker is the antithesis of a typical Terry Fontenot EDGE defender. He doesn’t boast 34” arms, he’s barely 6’1”, and he doesn’t come from a P4 program. None of those things should stop Atlanta from wanting to add this player to their EDGE room.

All David Walker has done during his career is kick the teeth in of the guy trying to stand in his way. Walker finished in the top 20 of PFF EDGE grading in all three years at UCA–finishing as the highest-graded EDGE player in all of CFB in 2024.

In those three years, Walker amassed 37 sacks, 17 QB hits, and 97 hurries with a ridiculous 21% pass-rush win rate and 9.2% run-stop rate. Walker is a prospect who falls into that classic “how did the entire league miss on this guy” category due to his unconventional size and small school grading curve.

However, he showed that his physical gifts and abilities still matched up with his competition in the Senior Bowl. The Falcons need proven commodities, and with Walker, you know exactly what you’re getting.

Safety Nick Emmanwori, University of South Carolina

On the surface, Emmowanri appears to be a prospect that Fontenot would covet, yet he would be a physical anomaly in the Atlanta secondary. Emmanwori possesses the physical traits that Fontenot is always after in the front seven, but rarely applies to the secondary. If current listings (6’3”-227lbs) remain mostly accurate, Emmanwori would be the team’s most physically gifted safety by a landslide.

Even better, the player can move at that size, which offers the Falcons true personnel flexibility with his slot coverage and run defense ability. The Falcons’ will they won’t they, relationship with three safety looks could finally come to an end.

Emmanwori would also inject some much-needed youth into the room. He’s a true junior with only three years under his belt, a stark contrast to Richie Grant’s resume (which included a stint at Radio Shack), who Fontenot’s first-ever defensive pick. The Falcons have prioritized older prospects with more defined abilities for their secondary, but a change in philosophy after underwhelming results should be on the table.

LB Chris Paul Jr, Ole Miss

Like Emmanwori, Paul Jr. would stick out physically in his position group, but for the opposite reason. The WILL linebacker would be the smallest player in the group, checking in at 6’0” and 224 lbs. JD Bertrand is the only current off-ball LB listed below 6’2”, but all of them are between 235-245.

Size isn’t everything, and what Paul Jr provides as a player fits the Falcons needs. As previously stated, Paul Jr is a WILL, which means he’ll be tasked with more coverage responsibilities and needs to be able to move laterally at a high level in the run, two qualities consistently showing up in his film.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich values speed and explosive traits from his linebackers, and Paul Jr is in more of that Deion Jones mold as a linebacker. When left clean, he holds up well in the run game and operates with a see-ball, get-ball mentality with the physical abilities to match.

Atlanta needs better movers at the second level. Kaden Elliss is better served in a hybrid role (a fancy way of saying he’s not good in coverage), Nate Landman only moves forward, and Troy Andersen’s health has become unreliable (JD Bertrand’s has me cautious, too). This defense needs to add speed and instincts at the second and third levels, and Paul Jr could provide both.

IDL CJ West, Indiana University

Another prospect that would typically fall short of the Fontenot rollercoaster height chart, West reminds me of another Falcon that had to overcome size doubters. The interior defensive lineman measured just above 6’0” at the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl events, but the only thing folks in attendance were talking about were West’s sensational reps and practice sessions.

West is at his best when he’s allowed to play fast, penetrate gaps, and cause havoc. In his senior season, he finished with a 10.2% pass-rush win rate and 11.4% run-stop rate (top quartile figures among DTs with 300+ snaps). I interviewed the prospect, and he’ll tell you he feels a 4-3 DT role is where a team will get the most out of him.

The Falcons have emphasized go-go gadget arms and freakish builds for their trenches, but smaller defensive tackles like Grady Jarrett have shown that they can succeed in this league when given a proper role (the freakish strength that most of them possess is still required). Interior pressure and run defense are needed upgrades for the Falcons, and with a handful of RAS darlings already in place, taking a flier on effort and production is warranted.

EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

A whiskey sour without whiskey lacks punch (terrible mixology pun), and that’s what this defense is missing. Sometimes, you need a guy who hates losing so much he wants to fight an entire stadium–a crashout artist, if you will. Umanmielen checks all the athletic profile boxes for Terry Fontenot; he’s also a senior with over 1,500 logged snaps and will be 23 before the 2025 season begins. He’s improved every year as a pass rusher and could help the team immediately. The only problem is that he’s known for being “passionate;” the man hates losing, and I am right there with him.

Yes, in a perfect world, people would handle things in a perfect way, but emotion isn’t a problem inherently, and it can be used as a weapon when harnessed correctly. I think the Falcons have the right makeup to handle this situation. This roster is full of former team captains, good samaritans, and charity founders, but without a lamb to lead, a shepherd is merely a man. Umanmielen will reignite the purpose of these leaders, and together, they can travel the road to consistent 40+ sack seasons. Fontenot should bestow forgiveness on this prospect and bring him into the fold because mean players win championships.

You can find successful prospects from any school with any build in every draft, but what ultimately matters is the team’s belief that they can put their guys in a position to win. The Falcons’ formula has not consistently produced results. The process has merit, and freakish athletes are essential, but tweaking the percentage of big swings is due. It’s time to start advancing the runners on base because this could be the final inning of Fontenot’s Falcons career.

What other draft or free agent trends do you think the Falcons should be looking to break this cycle?