My Atlanta Falcons 2025 Draft Big Board | How does it compare to Terry Fontenot’s?
With only three days remaining until the 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons hold the 15th overall pick and enter the weekend with a few clear needs—none bigger than finding a long-term solution at EDGE. While Atlanta did sign veteran Leonard Floyd this offseason and continue to develop young talents like Ruke Orhorhoro, Arnold Ebiketie, and Bralen Trice, the team hasn’t had a dominant, game-wrecking pass rusher since John Abraham.
What I Think the Falcons Will Do
Historically, GM Terry Fontenot has leaned toward players with elite athletic profiles (high RAS) and a long-term developmental ceiling. While fans want instant impact, the Falcons may lean into potential and versatility at pick 15.
Based on these trends, here’s how I believe Atlanta’s internal big board might look among realistic options at 15+:
- OLB Jalon Walker
- EDGE Shemar Stewart
- EDGE Mykel Williams
- EDGE Mike Green
- OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
Honorable Mentions: Malaki Starks, James Pearce Jr.
While I’ve been skeptical of Fontenot’s willingness to draft an edge rusher in past years, this draft cycle feels different. With his seat heating up and a playoff berth likely required to secure his future, Fontenot may not have the luxury of waiting on long-term development. I believe he’ll seriously consider high-upside edge rushers with elite physical traits—like Jalon Walker, Shemar Stewart, Mykel Williams, and Mike Green.
From a value standpoint, I think Fontenot is most likely to draft Jalon Walker if he drops even though he has had little to no experience as a pure EDGE rusher and was more of an off-ball linebacker. Shemar Stewart is another player that had little to no production in college (4.5 sacks over three years), but he has a 9.99 (out of 10) RAS and is already a plus run defender. These are traits Fontenot covets and is why I believe he could be higher on the board than Williams and Green.
Fontenot also has a known affinity for prospects who competed in the Senior Bowl, which adds weight to Mike Green’s candidacy. Additionally, the Falcons conducted two official workouts with Mykel Williams, signaling serious interest in the Georgia standout.
Outside of the EDGE position, the Falcons recently held a private workout with offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., a dominant run and pass blocker with clear All-Pro potential. With veteran LT Jake Matthews aging and RT Kaleb McGary continuing to show inconsistencies—especially now protecting rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside—Banks could be a wildcard target, particularly given Fontenot’s history of leaning offensive when in doubt.
James Pearce Jr., while a highly productive pass rusher in college, has raised some concerns that might keep him off Atlanta’s radar. Questions surrounding his weight and off-field character could be red flags for Fontenot, especially in a draft this crucial. Finally, it’s worth noting that Head Coach Raheem Morris and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich attended Georgia’s Pro Day, where Ulbrich was reportedly overheard calling safety Malaki Starks “the safest player in the draft.” That kind of endorsement shouldn’t be overlooked.
My Personal Big Board (EDGE-Only Focus)
On my end if I were the one turning the card in, the Falcons would be locked in on edge rushers—no exceptions. Here’s my board of potential EDGE targets expected to be available at No. 15 or after a trade back:
- EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
- EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
- OLB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
- EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
- EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
As a fan with no job security timeline like Terry Fontenot, I believe the only way the Falcons can truly improve this season is by establishing a consistent pass rush. Atlanta already swung and missed when they tried to trade for EDGE Matthew Judon, so they now find themselves needing to revamp the defensive line—without a lot of draft capital to work with.
For that reason, my personal big board starts with two players I believe are most NFL-ready: Mykel Williams and Mike Green. Both have experience playing edge against strong competition and, in my opinion, are ready to contribute immediately. Williams may not have the sack production that jumps off the stat sheet, but he projects as a plus run defender from day one and has flashed plenty of three-down upside on tape. Green, on the other hand, led the FBS with 17 sacks this past season and shows a refined feel for pass rushing, even with concerns about his listed weight.
I’m also very intrigued by Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama. His tape reminds me a lot of Micah Parsons coming out of Penn State. While Campbell hasn’t been used primarily as an edge, I’d be highly interested in a trade-down scenario where the Falcons grab him and develop him in that role.
Next is Shemar Stewart, who had minimal sack production in college but brings elite physical tools and the ability to generate quick pressures. While sacks are often the headline stat, pressures matter just as much—and Stewart had the fastest average time to first pressure in the FBS last season at just 2.43 seconds. That kind of burst is hard to ignore.
Lastly, James Pearce Jr. is someone I’d also consider in a trade-down. He’s faced elite competition in the SEC and, even in a slightly down year, posted 7.5 sacks. Earlier in the cycle, he was even mocked as a potential first overall pick. His upside as a pass-rush specialist remains very real.
The Prediction:
As a Falcons fan, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. If you had asked me last year who the Falcons would take, I would’ve guessed EDGE Laiatu Latu—or 100 other prospects—before landing on QB Michael Penix Jr. But that’s just Terry Fontenot for you.
With the 15th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M.
The Raw Athletic Score is simply too good for Fontenot to pass up.