Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot is entering uncharted waters when it comes to the 2025 NFL draft. The team’s streak of four consecutive top-10 picks will officially end this offseason as Atlanta is slated for pick No. 15 overall.
Unlike in previous years, the Falcons don’t have much draft capital outside of their first-round selection with just three total picks. Fontenot was asked how the team’s lack of draft picks could affect his strategy in 2025.
“We can pick up some draft picks,” said Fontenot. “We’re picking at 15, so obviously, we can move down and pick up more capital in the first or second round or wherever that is. So we’ll have those discussions to determine — we just have to make sure that we’re as effective, whether it’s the draft, free agency, extensions.”
Atlanta has yet to trade up or down in the first round during Fontenot’s tenure but the team is in a unique situation this year. The Falcons sent a third-round pick to New England in exchange for linebacker Matthew Judon before the season started.
There were reports during last year’s draft that Atlanta attempted to trade back up into the first round for defensive end Laitu Latu but the team was unable to make a deal.
It will be interesting to see how Fontenot navigates the offseason without having much draft capital. In our most recent mock draft, we had the Falcons trade down to pick No. 20 and acquire more picks.
The Falcons general manager also touched on Kirk Cousins‘ future and Kyle Pitts‘ underwhelming season.