We did it. Somehow, we got through the entire 2024 Atlanta Falcons season without me making a mock draft. It’s the first time that’s happened in ages! Unfortunately, the team didn’t come through with making the playoffs, but they did at least hold our interest through the end of the regular season. I guess that’s some kind of minor accomplishment?

At any rate, the offseason has begun. Atlanta is in a tough spot with both the salary cap and the 2025 NFL Draft. After losing a pick for tampering with Kirk Cousins and trading a third for Matt Judon, the Falcons are down to just four remaining picks. I think that’s likely to change—either through a trade-down at some point, or through trades of players like Kyle Pitts and Cousins—but for now, the team doesn’t have a lot to work with.

Before we jump in to the mock, let’s take a look at the Falcons’ current haul of draft picks.

What are the Falcons current 2025 NFL Draft picks?

• Round 1, Pick 15
• Round 2, Pick 46
• Round 4, Pick 116
• Round 7, Pick 242 (from Rams)

This is the written version, but you can also find the mock draft in two alternate forms as well. On our YouTube channel:

The mock is also available on all your favorite podcast platforms! You can listen to it directly here:

Round 1, Pick 15: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Another year, another mock draft starting with the Falcons selecting an edge rusher in the first round. Thankfully, it seems like Atlanta picked the right year to need front seven help, because this is an absolutely stacked class. The Falcons could go a lot of different ways with this pick—and ultimately, I think they’ll opt to trade down into the early 20s if they can recoup a nice Day 2 pick.

Let’s kick things off with a more traditional direction, selecting Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 15th pick. Until we know who the defensive coordinator hire is, I’ll just assume that Atlanta will be running a similar defense to what they have right now. In that case, the best fit for that still is undoubtedly Pearce. Pearce is a super athletic, explosive and bendy edge defender who took a big step forward as a run defender in 2024. He wasn’t quite as crazy productive as a pass rusher (8 sacks in 2024 vs 13 in 2023) but actually managed quite a bit more pressure (43 vs 28) on almost the exactly same number of snaps.

Pearce managed an absurd 22.7% pass rush win rate according to PFF, putting him just a hair above top prospect Abdul Carter (22.6%) and behind only Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen (23.9%). As I said before, he also improved his run defense quite a bit, finishing with a very good 10.1% run stop rate. That being said, Pearce’s limitations are mostly to do with his size: at 6’5, 240, he’s got a great frame but is undoubtedly light for the NFL level. He’ll likely struggle to set the edge against NFL size. Still, Pearce is clearly one of the best pass rushers in the class, and if Atlanta is sticking to their preference of stand-up speed rushers on the outside who can drop on occasion, Pearce absolutely fits the bill.

Round 2, Pick 46: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

One of the biggest risers this season, Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell went from Day 3 all the way up to knocking on the door of the late first round. It’s easy to see why: Campbell has tremendous size at 6’3, 245 and moves very well. He’s likely to draw comparisons to Kaden Elliss, in that some of his best work comes when he’s aligned as a blitzer and edge rusher.

Campbell is a do-it-all linebacker with the athletic traits to succeed in a variety of roles. He’s probably not the best man coverage option on speedier RBs or TEs, but he’s smart in zone coverage and is effective when dropping. Campbell has a knack for finding the ball and improved a lot as run defender and tackler during the 2024 season. If he’s still on the board at this point, Campbell would be an excellent addition to Atlanta’s linebacking corps and a potential long-term replacement for Elliss.

Round 4, Pick 116: DT JJ Pegues, Ole Miss

The Falcons got some solid play out of Eddie Goldman at the nose tackle position, particularly as a pass rusher, but the interior struggled mightily to stop the run. Without much in the way of cap space, Atlanta looks to their lone early-Day 3 pick to find a quality nose tackle. Luckily, this class has several players who can fit the bill, and in this draft with go with one of the most accomplished run defenders in the class: Ole Miss’ JJ Pegues.

Pegues has the ideal nose tackle build at 6’2, 325—just enough weight and length to hold up against double teams, but not too much to where you have leverage or conditioning issues. Pegues capped off a productive college career with his best season in 2024, where he managed an elite 8.9% run stop rate and a pretty impressive 8.9% pass rush win rate as well. While Pegues won’t be confused with an elite pass rusher, he’s an effective pocket pusher and picked up 4 sacks and 23 pressures this season. His quality play against the run along with his solid pass rushing chops should give him an clear path to significant playing time in the middle of Atlanta’s defense.

Round 7, Pick 242: WR LaJohntay Wester, Colorado

Pick acquired from Rams.

The Falcons do have one very late pick, and I’m curious to see what they do with it. This could be a good spot to take a shot on a kicker to compete with Younghoe Koo, and I’m curious if they will go that route. For now, I’m looking to improving the return game with Colorado slot receiver and return specialist LaJohntay Wester.

Wester put up impressive numbers with Colorado over the past two years, with 931 receiving yards and 10 TDs working almost entirely out of the slot. He’s a slippery, explosive receiver who has some surprising toughness when working inside. Wester is also an experienced punt and kick returner, with multiple return touchdowns to his name at Colorado and FAU. You might be wondering why he’s still available this late in the draft, given these accolades. Well, Wester is tiny: he’s listed at 5’11, 167…and that might be a generous assessment. Still, this late in the draft, it could be worth a shot to see if Wester can provide a spark on special teams and as a depth receiver.

What do you think about this potential draft class for the Falcons? Leave your draft takes in the comments below!