4 Prospects Atlanta Falcons Should Avoid In 2025 NFL Draft

The 2024 season didn’t go exactly how the Atlanta Falcons planned. The team benched big free agent addition Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., and now it appears the team has their future signal-caller.

This offseason, the team was expected to move on from Cousins, but as of now, the veteran remains on the roster as a backup. In free agency, the team mostly added depth pieces on defense, including edge-rusher Leonard Floyd and linebacker Devine Deablo.

Now, the team enters the 2025 NFL Draft with several needs. The defense still needs work, and with the No. 15 pick, most analysts expect the team to add to the unit in the first round.

Today, let’s identify four prospects the team should avoid in the first round.

Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Jalon Walker has been the most common mock draft selection for the Falcons this offseason and it’s easy to understand why.

Walker played his college ball just down the road for the Georgia Bulldogs and the defender has the athleticism and physical traits that would interest any team. However, the Falcons need immediate contributors on defense, and Walker may not have a perfect natural position in the NFL.

Walker has played as an off-ball linebacker and as an edge-rusher in his career. However, Walker doesn’t have the speed and coverage instincts to be reliable in the middle of the field and also never flashed elite talent as a pass-rusher.

A tweener like Walker wouldn’t be the best fit for a team like the Falcons.

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Matthew Golden is a fine player, don’t get it twisted. However, the Falcons would still be making a big mistake by taking the receiver in the first round.

Golden will likely intrigue the Falcons thanks to his above-average speed, reliable hands, and crisp route-running. The Falcons love drafting offensive talent in the first round, but they should avoid the urge to do so again in 2025 with so many needs on defense.

Golden could end up being the best receiver in this class. Would that really matter all that much, though, if the Falcons still have a porous defense?

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Like Golden, Tetairoa McMillan is a potentially elite talent who is totally deserving of being a first-round pick. However, McMillan wouldn’t fit in on the Falcons for a couple reasons.

For one, McMillan’s pro comparison has often been the Falcons’ own Drake London. Both receivers have a big frame, reliable hands, and an ability to make defenders miss.

The reason McMillan is listed here is because of the Falcons’ propensity for selecting offensive playmakers early. If McMillan falls, the Falcons could easily be tempted to select him, but it wouldn’t be the best use of resources.

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Going back to defense, Kenneth Grant would be a player the Falcons could regret taking.

The Michigan defensive lineman has a massive frame and is a quality run-stuffer. Grant manhandled weaker offensive linemen in college, but there are concerns about his game translating to the NFL.

Grant could end up being a one-dimensional player who comes off the field for third downs. While Grant’s size is intriguing, the defensive lineman lacks the explosiveness teams want on the interior.

Replacing Grady Jarrett will be something the team will want to do, but in a deep defensive line class, the Falcons can wait until later to do so.