The Falcons need a pass rusher, and inevitably, mock drafts are handing one to Atlanta.
Well, that’s it.
After an offseason filled with expectations of the team’s first playoff appearance since 2017, the Atlanta Falcons find themselves in familiar territory: At home, watching the playoffs as they figure out what it will take to get back into the dance.
As the Falcons do more self-scouting on their coaching and front-office personnel, draft experts from around the sports media landscape are gearing up for the unofficial beginning of draft season.
With the Falcons narrowly missing the playoffs, they are pigeonholed in the middle of the draft order at pick #15. With the abundance of defensive talent, especially in the trenches, every early mock draft has the Falcons seeking a playmaker on that side of the ball, with a clear favorite emerging as the top fit.
Falcons Mock Draft Roundup 2025 (1/6 – 1/11)
Connor Rodgers, NBC Sports: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
It was a slow start to the year for Pearce after he terrorized quarterbacks in 2023, but he really turned it on down the stretch. In his final seven games this year he had 5.5 sacks and 27 additional pressures (per PFF). It’s a tale as old as time, but the Falcons once again need a pure pass rusher.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton
A run on edge rushers has already taken place but Atlanta is still able to get a powerful rusher midway through the first round. The Falcons could also address the cornerback room and do not be surprised if they consider one of the top tight ends, who are a little more well-rounded than Kyle Pitts.
Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports: Georgia LB/EDGE Jalon Walker
The Falcons don’t have to look too far to find the defender who can help them the most.
Ben Arthur, Fox Sports: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
The Falcons have a desperate need for pass-rush help. Their 31 sacks in 2024 were the second-fewest in the NFL, and they didn’t have a player register more than six. James Pearce Jr. had 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and a forced fumble for the Vols last season
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
James Pearce Jr. is a juiced-up, twitchy edge rusher who can win with the bull rush or speed around the edge. He plays with a non-stop motor and with the type of freakish athleticism that can match the Jalen Milroe-type QBs in the pocket
Jordan Reid, ESPN: Georgia LB/EDGE Jalon Walker
Trading for Matthew Judon in the preseason did little to resolve the Falcons’ pass rushing woes. Atlanta’s 34.1% pass rush win rate was the sixth worst in the NFL, and its lead edge rusher — Arnold Ebiketie — is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season. The Falcons haven’t had a defender reach double-digit sacks since 2016 (Vic Beasley Jr.). But Walker is a versatile defender who can bring pressure off the edge (17.1% pressure percentage and 6.5 sacks) and play off-ball linebacker.
Nate Tice & Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
This might turn out to be one of the better value picks. Williams is still developing, but he came on strong after missing time with an ankle injury earlier in the season. He’s long, can line up across the defensive line and is an effective player against the run and pass. He needs to continue to develop his pass rushing arsenal, but he at the very least can consistently push the pocket and wear on offensive linemen as games go along.
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
The Falcons exhibited one of the worst defensive performances I’ve ever seen against the Panthers in their final game of the season. Atlanta’s pass rush has been dormant for years now. It was good to see Arnold Ebiketie come on strong the last month or so, but Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter will both test the waters of free agency. The Vols’ Pearce produced 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss his sophomore season in Knoxville, primarily beating SEC tackles with his explosive athleticism. If he continues to develop his pass-rush arsenal and adds a bit more bulk to his 6-foot-5 frame, he’d be a steal here.
Trevor Sikkema, PFF: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
The Falcons’ pass rush came alive during the second half of the season, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t consider selecting a pass-rusher in a pass-rusher-heavy draft. Pearce gives them some burst and bend they don’t have on their defensive line right now, and he plays a natural stand-up outside linebacker spot. Though undersized at around 240 pounds, he recorded pass-rush win rates above 20% in each of the past two years.
James Fragoza, College Football Network: East Carolina CB Shavon Revel
A.J. Terrell needs help on the outside, and the Falcons finally give it to him in the form of East Carolina CB Shavon Revel. Although he is coming off a torn ACL, Revel has the size, length, and aggressive mentality to thrive in Atlanta’s zone-heavy scheme.
Revel has room to grow technique-wise, but that should only be seen as a positive because of how good he already is.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton
The Falcons had one of the least effective pass-rush groups in the NFL last year, so beefing up the defensive line should be priority no. 1. Scourton has a big, rugged frame and plays with power, physicality, and some nifty footwork. He’s an ascending talent who racked up 15 sacks over the past two seasons—one at Texas A&M and one at Purdue—and he still has room to develop (he doesn’t turn 21 until August).
Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
This wasn’t the season it looked like could have been for the Falcons, who once upon a time sat at 6-3 and appeared to have the division in their grasp after sweeping the Bucs. But seasons are marathons — and the Falcons, namely Kirk Cousins, simply ran out of gas. Michael Penix Jr. has stepped in and shown promise, that’s the good news for Atlanta. But more work remains for this roster to emerge moving forward and a high level pass rusher such as James Pearce Jr. could be a strong addition to a young pass rush room, particularly amid Matthew Judon’s expiring contract. Pearce Jr. has explosive burst, elite bend and Coach Raheem Morris could help him develop even further to build counters off of his speed.
Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports: Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton
It seems like the Falcons are searching for an edge rusher every draft, and that’s no different heading into 2025. They bet on traits and upside with Scourton. He might need to shed some weight to regain some of his flexibility and burst from 2023, but he can get there and become special in the NFL.
Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
This defense desperately needs a true impact player who can get after opposing quarterbacks off the edge, and this scenario allows them to land a high-upside prospect to fit that role perfectly. Pearce wasn’t as consistently dominant as expected in 2024, but the flashes of brilliance would be enough for the Falcons to bet on here.
Nick Gray, The Tennessean: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
The Falcons need explosiveness off the edge, and Pearce will give them that from Day 1. While the overall sack numbers weren’t great in 2024 at Tennessee, he stands out on film as a consistent disruptor.
Bleacher Report Scouting Department: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
The Atlanta Falcons finally found a little juice in their pass-rush late in the 2024 season, but the unit needs far more.
Atlanta hasn’t featured a legitimate threat off the edge since Vic Beasley registered 15.5 sacks in 2016. Obviously, Beasley’s career fizzled out with the Falcons, but the fact he’s still being discussed points to the organization’s ineptitude to adequately address the position.
“Clearly, they could use some pass-rush help, and that’s what Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. can provide,” Holder said. “Pearce is still reliant on natural talent over technique, but the Tennessee product’s traits are worth betting on with a pick in the teens.”
Still, the Falcons make the pick here, with the possibility of Pearce finally living up to his potential where many thought he could have been the No. 1 overall prospect entering the 2024 campaign.
“The Falcons desperately need help on the edge as Matthew Judon underperformed this season and is an impending free agent,” Holder added. “Lorenzo Carter’s contract is also about to expire, so keeping adding the SEC standout makes sense.”
Blake Krass, DraftKings Network: Georgia S Malaki Starks
The Falcons have an incoming sophomore quarterback and a large collection of skill position players on offense. They need to make some improvements on the defensive side of the ball and they can look in-state at Malaki Starks from Georgia. Starks is a supremely athletic safety that can blitz, stop the run, and ball-hawk like a true safety. He could be a major difference-maker as the Falcons look to build into the Michael Penix Jr. era.
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.
The only concern about Pearce is whether his size (243 pounds) is enough for teams to see him as a true three-down option. If they do, don’t be surprised to see Pearce land closer to the top 10. His ability to win with speed off the edge is nearly unmatched in this class.
JP Acosta, SB Nation: Georgia LB/EDGE Jalon Walker
Despite not making the playoffs, I think Atlanta might’ve found something with the simulated pressures they sent in the back half of the season. LB Kaden Elliss is their best pass rusher, but when your off-ball LB is your number one guy, that’s saying something. I’m not sure where Walker plays full time, but I want a guy with his speed and versatility on my defense every day of the week.
Jacob Infante, Pro Football Network: Georgia LB/EDGE Jalon Walker
Assuming Michael Penix Jr. takes over as the Falcons’ starting quarterback in 2025, their offense seems to be in pretty good shape heading into the new year. Their defense, however, could still use some work.
Some project Walker as a stand-up edge rusher in a base 3-4 system, but I like him better as an off-ball linebacker at the next level due to his being undersized off the edge. Whatever the case, he’s an athletic and aggressive defender with schematic versatility, a red-hot motor in pursuit, and three-down value due to how he can rush the passer and cover in space.
By The Numbers
Prospects
- Tennessee EDGE James Pearce, Jr.: 10
- Georgia LB/EDGE Jalon Walker: 4
- Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton: 3
- Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams: 1
- East Carolina CB Shavon Revel: 1
- Georgia S Malaki Starks: 1
Position
- EDGE: 14
- LB/EDGE: 4
- CB: 1
- S: 1