Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The 2025 NFL Draft is drawing nearer, which means we're closer to learning who will be the newest Atlanta Falcon.
There's a strong consensus building that Atlanta will use the draft to fortify its defense, and its first opportunity to do that will be at pick No. 15 in the first round.
With the draft just weeks away, we're going through some key positions of need and profiling players who just might fit what Atlanta is looking for. We've already named some edge rushers who fans should be aware of, and today I'll be wrapping up the defensive line with a look at the interior defenders.
Here are defensive line prospects who make sense for the Falcons on each day of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Day 1
Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Grant is a massive defensive line prospect who moves far better than his 6-foot-3, 339-pound frame would suggest. He uses that first-rate quickness to shed blocks and get upfield before opponents have the chance to respond. Grant is also big enough to anchor the middle of the field and hold up against double teams consistently. The Falcons don't really have a player like this on their roster and Grant could fill a key role, depending on how they plan to deploy their defense.
Walter Nolan, Ole Miss
Pound for pound, Nolan might be the most physically gifted defensive lineman in this class. A top recruit coming out of high school, Nolan is an attacking defender who excels at gaining a half-man advantage and pressing upfield. He's not as polished a pass rusher as his athletic profile would suggest, but the upside is apparent. Nolan was named an All-American in 2024 because of his ability to make impact plays, which is something Atlanta needs on defense.
Pick(s): No. 15 overall
Other Day 1 options: Derrick Harmon (Oregon)
Day 2
T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
Sanders is a similar player to Nolan, but he isn't as overwhelming an athlete. Still, there's a lot of pop behind Sanders' hands, which he uses to gain a quick advantage. Once he has that advantage, Sanders goes to work deconstructing blocks and pushing players into the lap of the quarterback. He's sudden in his hand movements with a nice cross-swipe and can grow roots at the point of attack in the run game.
Darius Alexander, Toledo
A player who has gained momentum as draft season roles along, Alexander offers a lot for NFL teams. His 34-inch arms are among the longest in the class, which allows the 6-foot-4, 305-pound defender to initiate first contact regularly and control the confrontation. When he keeps his pad level low, Alexander is very difficult to displace. As a pass rusher, Alexander is bendier than his size would suggest, and he combines surprising shiftiness with a well-timed swim move to get to the quarterback.
Pick(s): No. 46 overall
Other Day 2 options: Joshua Farmer (Florida State), Alfred Collins (Texas), Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee), Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech)
Day 3
Ty Robinson, Nebraska
It will be fascinating to see where Robinson lands. He was a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten and used overwhelming power to smash through his opponents. Despite weighing in at 288 pounds at the NFL Combine, it was not uncommon for Robinson to line up at nose tackle for the Cornhuskers' defense. He has the athleticism to bump outside and play multiple spots on the line, and his motor is always running. As with any late-round pick, Robinson still needs to develop, but his power and effort are worth tapping into.
J.J. Pegues, Ole Miss
One of the most unique defensive linemen in this draft, Pegues did a little bit of everything for Ole Miss, including play running back. He had seven rushing touchdowns last season to go along with his 3.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. As his usage would suggest, Pegues is a great athlete. Specifically, Pegues has the ability to cut on a dime and accelerate in a hurry. Those aren't qualities you'd expect from a 309-pound lineman, but they sure are useful. If the Falcons are looking for a developmental player who can add juice to their pass rush with the upside for more, they could do worse than Pegues.
Pick(s): No. 118 overall (4th round), No. 218 overall (7th round), No. 242 overall (7th round)
Other Day 3 options: Rylie Mills (Notre Dame), Simeon Barrow Jr. (Miami), Tim Smith (Alabama), Zeek Biggers (Georgia Tech)
