2025 NFL Yearbook: Atlanta Falcons

A season preview of the Atlanta Falcons.

All Access Football NFL Yearbook Series Counts you down to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game with an in-depth look at 32 organizations in 32 days. Presented by the Official 2026 NFL Draft Bible.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Howard Balzer, Dominic Ambrose and Jarrett Reigel contributed to this report] || [Some information also appears in the Lindy’s NFL & College Football Season Preview Guides. — Obtain these must-have magazines here]

NFL YEARBOOK SERIES: NO.32 — SAINTS || NO.31 — BROWNS || NO.30 — PANTHERS || NO.29 — TITANS || NO.28 — BEARS || NO.27—RAIDERS || NO.26 — SEAHAWKS || NO.25—JAGUARS || NO.24—COWBOYS || NO.23—JETS || NO.22—GIANTS || NO.21—COLTS

2025 NFL YEARBOOK: ATLANTA FALCONS

NFC SOUTH || 2024 RECORD: 8-9 || AAF NFL POWER RANKING: 20

TEAM BRASS

Owner: Arthur Blank || General Manager: Terry Fontenot || Head Coach: Raheem Morris || Offensive Coordinator: Zac Robinson || Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Ulbrich || Special Teams: Marquice Williams

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

2025 NFLPA GRADES || OVERALL RANKINGS (3 of 32)

Treatment of Families: A (2nd) || Food / Dining Area: A (5th) || Nutritionist / Dietician: A (3 rd) || Locker Room: A+ (2nd) || Training Room: B (12th) || Training Staff: A- (6th) || Weight Room: A+ (2nd) || Strength Coaches: A (7th) || Team Travel: B+ (13th) || Head Coach: A+ (2nd) || Ownership: A+ (2nd)

The Atlanta Falcons saw the biggest improvement in their players’ assessments of the club through the Report Card survey, thanks to major facility upgrades that occurred this past offseason, including a revamped weight room, locker room and dining area. The club also made staffing decisions that improved the players’ experience. New head coach Raheem Morris has positively changed the culture in just his first year. In addition, players are very complimentary about the newly hired head strength coach compared to his predecessor. Players identify two key improvement areas: the need for at least one additional physical therapist in the training room and better ventilation in the new locker room’s bathrooms. The team receives praise for listening to the players and being responsive to their feedback.

OVERVIEW

The mainstream media shared mixed reviews on the Falcons draft class but here at All Access Football, we have given them the highest rankings. While they did have to sacrifice a first round pick in 2026, in terms of talent and impact, Atlanta significantly upgraded. In fact, there is a strong chance that four-of-their-five selections (all on defense) could wind up starting as soon as this year. Atlanta should be able to light up the scoreboard with the best of them. Should their defense hold up their end of the bargain, this could be a dangerous playoff squad. (photo: Atlanta Falcons)

OFFENSE RANKINGS

Total Offense: 369.8 (6th) || Passing: 239.3 (5th) || Rushing: 130.5 (10th) || Points: 22.9 (14th) || Sacked: 32 (7th) || 3rd Down: 39.2% (16th)

DEFENSE RANKINGS

Total Defense: 345.2 (22nd) || Passing: 224.5 (24th) || Rushing: 120.6 (15th) || Points Allowed: 24.9 (23rd) || Sacks: 31 (31st) || Turnover Differential: -6 (T-23rd)

TOP 10 FRANCHISE PLAYERS

1. Bijan Robinson, Running Back

2. Chris Lindstrom, Offensive Guard

3. Drake London, Wide Receiver

4. Jessie Bates III, Safety

5. Michael Penix, Quarterback

6. Darnell Mooney, Wide Receiver

7. AJ Terrell, Cornerback

8. Dee Alford, Cornerback

9. Kaden Ellis, Linebacker

10. Younghoe Koo, Kicker

TOP 10 PLAYERS UNDER 25

1. Bijan Robinson, Running Back (23)

2. Drake London, Wide Receiver (23)

3. Jalon Walker, Defensive End (21)

4. Kyle Pitts, Tight End (24)

5. James Pearce, Defensive End (21)

6. Billy Bowman Jr., Safety (22)

7. Ruke Orhorhoro, Defensive Tackle (23)

8. Xavier Watts, Safety (23)

9. Bralen Trice, Linebacker (24)

10. Brandon Dorlus, Defensive Tackle (24)

BUST OUT PLAYERS

The Falcons season will ride or die with the development of Michael Penix Jr. The anointed franchise signal-caller provided positive signs during his three late-season starts. Blessed with a howitzer of an arm, Penix Jr. isn’t afraid to take chances downfield, which should be an ultimate test of his confidence, as Atlanta gets set to kick the training wheels off … The Falcons will be dependent upon Ruke Orhorhoro (photo: Atlanta Falcons) delivering on his investment. Expected to pay big dividends, an ankle injury interrupted his rookie campaign, contributing to him missing nine games. The coaching staff loves his mental makeup, football acumen and high motor. Now, it’s time to put it all to work … Team brass still remains confident in Bralen Trice after he missed his rookie season due to an ACL injury. Trice was rotating with the first team defense at outside linebacker in training camp a year ago and should help reinvigorate the pass-rush. In fact, when you include Brandon Dorlus, the first four picks from their 2024 NFL Draft haul played a combined total of just 13 games last year, so expect an influx of young talent on the roster combined with this year’s draft class.

2025 NFL DRAFT CLASS

ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL

Rd.1 No.15. Jalon Walker, ER, Georgia — Announced as a defensive end on draft night, Walker is expected to play a pass-rush role for the Falcons. However, he could fit best as a hybrid linebacker type, as he does lack bulk. He’s expected to raise the level of intensity and competitiveness.

Rd.1 No.26. James Pearce Jr., ER, Tennessee — The Falcons made a bold move with a trade back into the first round, to double-down on the edge. Blessed with an ideal frame, tremendous athleticism and excellent bend, Pearce Jr. has been ushered in to help lead the return of ‘Sacklanta.’

Rd.3 No.96. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame — A polished safety capable of stuffing the run but also equally inept in pass coverage, Watts stands a strong chance to start alongside Jessie Bates III.

Rd.4 No.118. Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma — Possibly the biggest steal of the entire draft, Bowman is a savvy, deceptive cover man who has played safety and corner but will slide into the nickelback role for the Falcons.

Rd.7 No.218. Jack Nelson, OT, Wisconsin — With plenty of size and experience, Nelson is a well-coached player with sound fundamentals who can provide depth as a backup swingman at tackle.

OVERALL IMPACT = 5 Major Impact

ADDITIONS

• WR/RS Jamal Agnew (0/0; FA; $1.73M/1 yr, $400K SB/$1.73M 2025 cap/$770K incentives)

• LB Divine Deablo (14/14; UFA Raiders; $14M/2 yrs, $6.66M fully gtd/$1M gtd injury only fully gtd 3rd day 2026 LY/$6M SB/$4.94M 2025 cap)

• DE Leonard Floyd (17/17; FA 49ers; $10M gtd/1 yr, $10M 2025 cap)

• CB Mike Ford Jr. (16/0; UFA Browns; $4M/2 yrs, $1.14M gtd/$500K SB/$1.845M 2025 cap)

• DE Morgan Fox (17/3; UFA Chargers; $5.5M/2 yrs, $3M gtd/$1.55M SB/$2.25M 2025 cap)

• TE Feleipe Franks (16/0; UFA Panthers; $1.44M/1 yr, $200K gtd/$1.42M 2025 cap)

• S Jordan Fuller (9/9; UFA Panthers; $1.335M/1 yr, $80K SB/$1.155M 2025 cap)

• TE Teagan Quitoriano (7/4; not tendered as RFA by Texans; $1.1M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.1M 2025 cap)

• QB Easton Stick (0/0; UFA Chargers; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $567.5K gtd/$167,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• CB Keith Taylor Jr. (11/0; not tendered as RFA by Chiefs; $1.1M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.1M 2025 cap)

RE-SIGNINGS

• CB Dee Alford (not tendered as RFA); $1.5M/1 yr, $230K SB/$1.49M 2025 cap)

• DL Ta’Quon Graham (UFA; $2.787.5M 1 yr, $167,500 SB/$1.337.5 2025 cap)

• G Kyle Hinton (not tendered as ERFA; $5.75M/2 yrs, $2.575M gtd/$1M SB/$2.5M 2025 cap)

• WR KhaDarel Hodge (UFA; $5.5M/2 yrs, $2.505M gtd/$1.255M SB/$2.135M 2025 cap/$1M incentives)

• CB Mike Hughes (potential UFA; $18M/3 yrs, $9.64M gtd/$5M SB/$5.359 2025 cap)

• CB Kevin King (UFA; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $167,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• LS Liam McCullough (potential RFA; $5.78M/4 yrs, $1.9M gtd/$900K SB/$1.325M 2025 cap)

• T Storm Norton (UFA; $3M/2 yrs, $500K gtd/$200K SB/$1.5M 2025 cap)

• T Brandon Parker (UFA; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025cap)

• DL Kentavius Street (UFA; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $167,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• G/T Elijah Wilkinson (UFA; $1.422.5/1 yr, $167,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• LB Josh Woods (UFA; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

DEPARTURES

• LB Lorenzo Carter (13/11; UFA Titans; $1.422.5M/1 yr, $83,750 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• C Drew Dalman (9/9; UFA Bears; $42M/3 yrs, $26.5M fully gtd/$1.5M gtd injury only fully gtd 3rd day 2026 LY/$6M SB/$13.64M 2025 cap)

• DT Eddie Goldman (17/10; UFA Commanders; $1.255M/1 yr, $315K gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• S Richie Grant (17/1; UFA 49ers; $1.5M/1 yr, $345K gtd/$135K SB/$1.5 2025 cap/$500K incentives)

• DT Grady Jarrett (17/17; released)

• LB Nate Landman (13/0; not tendered as ERFA/Rams; $1.1M/1 yr, $75K gtd/$1.1M 2025 cap)

• WR Rondale Moore (0/0; UFA Vikings; $2M/1 yr, $250K SB/$1.4M 2025 cap)

• RB/RS Avery Williams (17/0; UFA Eagles; $1.225M/1 yr, $400K gtd/$50K SB/$1.267.5M 2025 cap)

DEPTH CHART (Courtesy of Ourlads)

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