If you're looking for a rundown of all the draft action, or a place to find the latest Falcons draft coverage, this is a good place to start
Will McFadden
Pick No. 15 - Edge Jalon Walker
Pick No. 26 - Edge James Pearce Jr.
Pick No. 96 - Safety Xavier Watts
Pick No. 118 - Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr.
Pick No. 218 - Offensive tackle Jack Nelson
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The 2025 NFL Draft has officially wrapped, and the Falcons made a substantial investment in their defense during the three-day event.
Despite making only five selections, which ties the fewest for a draft class in franchise history, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris feel their team added several impact players to their roster,a primary goal for Atlanta.
"I couldn't be more pleased with obviously the class and what was available to us and to be able to go out there and get that thing accomplished like that," Morris said. "I can't say enough positive things about us."
Below is a full recap of the Falcons' 2025 draft class.
Round 1 - Pick No. 15
With the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falconsselected Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker.
Walker may have been just a one-year starter for Kirby Smart, but his overall impact and playmaking ability makes him arguably the top edge rusher/linebacker not named Abdul Carter in this year's class. Despite his smaller frame when compared to other edge rushers, Walker's upside is exactly what he showed at Georgia: An ability to consistently put a quarterback under pressure.
How he fits with the Falcons:Call him an edge rusher. Call him a linebacker. Call him a hybrid of the two. Whatever you call him, just make sure you know to use the word "versatile" when describing his play, because that's exactly what it is. Walker is the type of player defensive coordinators would love to move around the front-seven while putting creative rush plans together for him. This tracks for why the Falcons would want him seeing as what they've liked to do with Kaden Elliss in the past. For Walker, that's a role that he values himself, saying he is at his best when he's used as a chess piece. For the Falcons, continuing to unlock his potential in this way as a hybrid, chess piece of sorts could pay dividends for what the Falcons could do defensively. - Tori McElhaney
Read about Walker
- How Jalon Walker fits with the Falcons
- Walker excited to be first Bulldog take in first round by Falcons
- Atlanta lands two "true pressure players" in first round
- Walker loves getting to the QB: "It's just what I do"
- Motivated by Micah: Walker fueled by NFL's best
Press play on Walker
- WATCH: Falcons select Jalon Walker
- WATCH: Walker gets the first-round phone call
- WATCH: Breaking down Jalon Walker's highlights
- EXCLUSIVE: Jalon Walker interview after draft
- PRESS CONFERENCE: Walker speaks to Atlanta media
- PODCAST: Falcons take TWO edge rusher on Day 1
Flip through the album
- GALLERY: Falcons select EDGE Jalon Walker
- FIRST LOOK: Walker arrives in Atlanta
- Jalon Walker's Falcons portrait
Round 1 - Pick No. 26
After trading back into the first round, the Atlanta Falconsselected University of Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.with the No. 26 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In the trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons gave up pick Nos. 46 and 242 in this year's draft as well as their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In addition to the No. 26 pick, the Falcons will also receive pick No. 101 this year.
How he fits with the Falcons:The Falcons needed to add juice to their pass rush, and Pearce brings a lot of juice. He's an athletic player who stays clean by ripping, dipping and dancing his way past offensive tackles. Pearce has elite first-step explosiveness and will have opponents on their back foot in the blink of an eye. Don't expect Pearce to hold up at the point of attack in the run game, but that's not what he's here to do. The Falcons need someone to get after the quarterback, and he does that as well as any player in this draft class as evidenced by his 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons. - Will McFadden
More on Pearce
- Falcons excited to land pair of "true pressure players"
- How James Pearce Jr. fits with the Falcons
- Pearce is fueled by Falcons' belief in him
Press play on Pearce
- WATCH: Falcons select James Pearce Jr.
- WATCH: Pearce gets the phone call
- WATCH: Breaking down James Pearce Jr.'s highlights
- EXCLUSIVE: James Pearce Jr. interview after draft
- PRESS CONFERENCE: Pearce speaks to Atlanta media
- PODCAST: Falcons take TWO edge rusher on Day 1
Flip through the album
- GALLERY: Falcons select EDGE James Pearce Jr.
- FIRST LOOK: Pearce arrives in Atlanta
- James Pearce Jr.'s Falcons portrait
Round 3 - Pick No. 96
The Atlanta Falcons traded up in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select University of Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts with the No. 96 overall pick.
The Falcons received No. 96 from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Atlanta's No. 101, also in the third round, and a 2026 fifth-rounder.
How he fits with the Falcons:Watts doesn't have athleticism that leaps off the tape or rare size, but he is an excellent football player. He has a feel for the game that seems almost preternatural at times, as evidenced by his 13 interceptions the last two seasons, which were the most of any player in college football. Like many of the defenders Atlanta has sought in the draft, Watts is a versatile player who played free safety, box safety and even linebacker during his career with the Irish. Watts also fits the character profile the Falcons seek and was a two-time team captain. Pairing Watts with Jessie Bates gives Atlanta two safeties with very high football IQs that can work well off of each other to create confusion for opposing quarterbacks. - Will McFadden
More on Watts:
- How Watts fits with the Falcons
- Falcons safety Watts is 'instinctual like Jessie Bates'
Press play on Watts
- WATCH: Falcons select Xavier Watts
- WATCH: Watts gets the phone call
- WATCH: Breaking down Xavier Watt's highlights
- EXCLUSIVE: Xavier Watts interview after draft
- PRESS CONFERENCE: Watts speaks to Atlanta media
- PODCAST: What the Falcons are getting in Watts
Flip through the album
- GALLERY: Falcons 2025 draft class
Round 4 - Pick No. 118
The Atlanta Falcons selected University of Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr.with the No. 118 overall pickin the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Bowman joins Xavier Watts as the second college safety drafted. Watts was the Falcons' No. 96 pick Friday in the fourth round. Together, they enter a position room that features Jessie Bates III, Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams.
How he fits with the Falcons:He's a really good downhill player who is quick to come up and be physical against the run. Bowman could fill a box safety/nickel role, similar to a way they utilized Kevin King last year. Bowman has all of the traits to be a core special teams player as well. Bowman's biggest knock against him is shorter arms at 28 inches, with a wingspan of 70 inches but he is often in the right place due to his high level football IQ and is a fearless defender. - Will McFadden
More on Bowman
- How Bowman fits with the Falcons
- Falcons glad for chance to get 'excellent pickup' in Bowman
Press play on Bowman
- WATCH: Falcons select Billy Bowman Jr.
- WATCH: Bowman gets the phone call
- EXCLUSIVE: Billy Bowman Jr. interview after draft
- PRESS CONFERENCE: Bowman speaks to Atlanta media
- NFL COMBINE: Watch Bowman's workout in Indy
Flip through the album
- GALLERY: Falcons 2025 draft class
Round 7 - Pick No. 218
The Atlanta Falcons selected University of Wisconsin offensive tackle Jack Nelsonwith the No. 218 overall pickin the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
How he fits with the Falcons:Nelson was a four-year starter for Wisconsin. He is super durable, having played in all 51 of the Badgers' games from 2021-24. He started 50 of those, too. While Nelson has the most experience at left tackle, he has taken reps across the offensive line. Nelson will be a developmental depth piece for the Falcons' otherwise veteran offensive line. - Terrin Waack
Press play on Bowman
- WATCH: Falcons select Jack Nelson
- WATCH: Nelson's college highlights
Flip through the album
- GALLERY: Falcons 2025 draft class
Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Draft Coverage
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