MOBILE, Ala. — The Atlanta Falcons appear set up well offensively for the foreseeable future. The defense, however, is a different matter.

Several key defenders are set to hit free agency, and the unit will seek a higher quality of play moving forward, leaving many to believe Atlanta's focus will be on the defense this offseason.

Just two years ago, the Falcons had a similar approach. The team's 2023 free agent class was headlined by safety Jessie Bates III, inside linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive tackle David Onyemata. All have been starters for the Falcons, with Bates and Elliss truly shining. However, Atlanta's current salary-cap situation could preclude it from a similar free-agency investment this year.

That leaves the 2025 NFL Draft as the Falcons' best way to infuse their defense with new talent. It's a good year for that to be the case. Unlike the 2024 edition, which didn't have a defensive player taken until pick No. 15, this year's event is considered laden with talented defenders. So, whichever positions the Falcons target on that side of the ball, they should find someone to like.

"They really need a standout edge rusher in my opinion," Trevor Sikkema, the lead NFL Draft analyst at Pro Football Focus, told AtlantaFalcons.com. "This draft has some pretty good edge rushers. They have some really good guys at the top. Guys like James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee, Abdul Carter — obviously if he lasted to the Falcons' pick they'd be overjoyed — Mike Green from Marshall, who's here at the Senior Bowl. These are all options for them in the middle of the first round."

Atlanta currently holds the 15th pick in the draft, and it has five picks total. Despite using four picks last year on defensive linemen and edge players, it could add to that group once again.

If the crop of talent at this year’s Senior Bowl was any indication, that may prove to be a wise approach.

There were a wide range of skill sets and body types on display in Mobile, where the practices took place. Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart is 6-foot-5, 281 pounds and has exceptional length to disrupt blockers. Marshall's Green, however, is smaller at 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds, possessing quick-twitch explosion and nice bend around the corner.

Those two illustrate the differences among the defensive linemen and edge players, but virtually everyone had a standout moment or two at practice.

"It's a really deep D-line class," Sikkema said. "So, I know that Falcons fans probably think, 'Hey, we have to go with a pass rusher in the first round.' Obviously, if a guy falls to you and you love him and think that he's a great fit, you want to make that move because it's a big-time need for them as it stands right now.

"But even if they don't do that, even if there's somebody else where they go, 'Man, this guy we just like him a lot better fitting for our team at a different position,' in Round 2 and Round 3, I still think you can get a pretty dang good edge rusher because it's a deep class."

Ohio State's Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau as well as Josaiah Stewart from Michigan were a few names Sikkema offered up as potential options for Atlanta on Day 2. Those names just scratch the surface of this class, however. In Daniel Jeremiah's initial list of the top 50 prospects, 16 play on the defensive line or edge.

The Falcons could also add a few pieces to their secondary. Defensive back is another position that features both top-end talent and impressive depth in this year's draft (seven players in Jeremiah's top 50).

This year's defensive back class has something for everyone. Teams looking for a long, man-press corner will have options. So, too, will those in need of a ball-hawking zone defender. Atlanta can build around Bates and cornerback A.J. Terrell however they see fit.

"Will Johnson from Michigan is somebody who maybe once upon a time it felt like he was going to be a top 8 lock, but maybe that's not the case anymore from what I've heard," Sikkema said. "He might be somebody who could last until the middle of the first round who you might be able to get. But, my goodness, when he was fully healthy a year ago, he was the best corner in the country I felt like. He just plays the position at such a high level, and he moves so well for a player his size."

The defensive depth in this draft gives Atlanta flexibility in how it wants to piece things together. Knowing there are quality pass rushers on Day 2, the Falcons could opt for a top corner like Johnson at pick No. 15. Of course, the opposite could be true. They could grab Pearce Jr. in the first round and address their secondary later with a player they still like.

"Darien Porter is somebody who is extremely intriguing, the cornerback from Iowa State," Sikkema said. "He reminds of like a Tariq Woolen type of player, or Zyon McCollum with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, just these long, big athletes. … Jahdae Barron from Texas, so versatile. He played safety, he played in the slot this year, he played out wide, and he's been fantastic at all those spots — he's just a top-tier defensive back. Shavon Revel, who is from Eastern Carolina, he's coming off an ACL tear so he'll probably be available in the back half of the first round, but he's got fantastic athleticism, great ball skills."

Given the seemingly high number of options on the table, the Falcons could also seek to trade back and acquire more picks. Two of Atlanta's five picks are on the first two days of the draft, where the bulk of contributors will be selected.

"We can pick up some draft picks," Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. "We're picking at 15, so obviously we can move down and pick up more capital in the first or second round or wherever that is, and so we'll have those discussions and determine."

In a draft defined by its defensive depth, accruing more picks would make sense for a team with multiple spots to fill.

There's one other factor to consider in all of this. Under Fontenot, the Falcons have maintained their approach is selecting the player they deem best available. That has led to using their last four first-round picks on offense, the three most recent of which landed wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

However, given the current shape of Atlanta's roster and this year's draft class, the best approach may not involve adding one player of singular talent but rather multiple talented players a bit later in the event.

"If you've got multiple picks on Day 2," Sikkema said, "it's going to be hard not look at your draft on paper when it's all said and done and not think, 'Man, they got some really good players here that could really help them out.'"