The Atlanta Falcons focused on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL Draft — a necessary move after a disappointing season. Head coach Raheem Morris made it a clear priority to bring in young talent that can contribute on defense for years to come, including versatile college standout Jalon Walker.
“On first and second down, I want, especially Jalon, to really have an opportunity to just master playing on the edge because I think that there’s something there that’s really special,” Ulbrich said. “Give him an opportunity just to have one home initially and become as good as he can at that. Then, from a third-down perspective, we can get creative with him, and that’ll be part of his superpower.”
Given how young the Falcons' defense is, veteran safety Jessie Bates will play a crucial role in mentoring the new faces and getting them prepared for the season.
“Bates' mentorship is crucial for the Falcons, who will likely field a very young defense in 2025. Walker and fellow pass rusher James Pearce Jr. were both first-round picks in April and will likely see a lot of playing time as rookies. The Falcons also drafted Watts and Billy Bowman Jr., a fourth-round pick who played safety in college and will play nickel corner in Atlanta,” ESPN’s Marc Raimondi wrote.
Despite the additions, the Falcons could still benefit from signing another defensive tackle — ideally a veteran presence. Fox Sports’ Carmen Vitali believes free agent Raekwon Davis could be a strong fit.
“The Falcons did some work defensively this offseason, but they could still use some help up front defensively. They let Grady Jarrett walk in free agency and haven’t really made up for his departure. Potential acquisition: Raekwon Davis,” Vitali wrote.
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Davis was recently released by the Indianapolis Colts and is looking for a fresh start. He could be a valuable addition to the Falcons’ defensive line and a crucial veteran piece to support the team's young core.