FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's been nearly five years since the Atlanta Falcons last took a defensive player in the first round of the NFL Draft, but that streak could come to an end soon.
A theme of this offseason for Atlanta has been building up the defensive foundation around players like Jessie Bates, A.J. Terrell and Kaden Elliss. The Falcons have made some moves that could benefit them this fall, but they've also lost some impact players from last season — none more notable than Grady Jarrett.
The NFL Draft appears to be the organization's next best opportunity to add another game-altering presence to its defense. No other position stands to benefit more from a player matching that description than Atlanta's pass rush.
Atlanta hasn't selected a pass rusher in the first round of the draft since 2017, when it chose Takk McKinley with the No. 26 pick. The Falcons have added to their defensive line in every subsequent draft, and they've found some value on Day 2 and Day 3. But there's a lot to like about the edge talent in the 2025 NFL Draft, and several players make sense for Atlanta.
Here are some edge prospects who the Falcons could target with each of their five draft picks.
Day 1
Mike Green, Marshall
Green's stock seems to have risen greatly since he finished the 2024 season with 17.5 sacks to lead all FBS players, and he should be of interest to Atlanta. The former Marshall star doesn't have the overwhelming physical traits that typically define first-round pass rushers, but he posted elite times in the 3-cone drill (6.85 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.25) at his pro day and was a standout at the Senior Bowl. He's a high-energy player whose motor will endear him to whichever fan base claims him, and he's got legitimate tools to be a high-impact player in the NFL.
Allegations of sexual assault involving Green have surfaced, but he has repeatedly denied those accusations, including most recently at the NFL Combine. Those will undoubtedly be investigated by any team considering Green and could ultimately impact where he's taken. The Falcons value high-character individuals and take into account an individual's personal makeup, which is notable here.
Mykel Williams, Georgia
I seriously debated spotlighting Shemar Stewart here, because his overall physical makeup is something I think Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich could want to add to his defense. However, I keep coming back to Williams as a player who is getting lost in the shuffle but will be a really good pro and a great fit for Atlanta.
Williams has longer arms and bigger hands than Stewart, and he has exceptional athletic upside in his own right. The main problem is that an ankle injury hindered Williams for nearly all of his final season at Georgia and has made it harder to project what he'll become than some others. Williams should be a good run defender from Day 1, though, given his length, strength and effort, and he's got a blend of athletic traits to develop into a top pass rusher very quickly. With Arnold Ebiketie and Leonard Floyd on the roster, Williams' run-stopping ability makes him valuable as a rookie and his upside is as good as anyone's.
Pick(s): No. 15 overall
Other Day 1 options: Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Jalon Walker (Georgia), Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College)
Day 2
Landon Jackson, Arkansas
One of the tallest edge prospects in this class, Jackson packs a lot of potential into his 6-foot-6 frame. He registered 13 sacks the past two seasons for Arkansas and has a lot of traits that will serve him well at the next level. Although Jackson may look a bit awkward due to his long, leggy stature, he knows how to operate in his body and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball. Jackson won't be confused with Von Miller, but he takes a smart approach to rushing the passer and controls the edge with his length.
Bradyn Swinson, LSU
Swinson had only five career sacks entering the 2024 season, but he broke out with 8.5 for LSU during his fifth and final college season. That may be a red flag for some readers, but the Falcons have shown a proclivity for players who improve year over year. As a pass rusher, Swinson can best be described as a fighter in a phonebooth. He likes to get in close proximity with his opponent and react quickly to take advantage of an opening. Swinson plays with an alpha mentality, which results in big plays but can sometimes lead him to get out of control. There's a lot for a coach to work with here on Day 2, though.
Pick(s): No. 46 overall
Other Day 2 options: Nic Scourton (Texas A&M), JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State), Jared Ivey (Ole Miss), Jordan Burch (Oregon)
Day 3
Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
I'm new to the Femi Oladejo conversation, but I've really liked what I've seen from him on tape, which is admittedly not much. That's the kicker, though. Oladejo has just 10 starts at edge after moving over from linebacker two games into his final season at UCLA. In those limited edge reps, however, Oladejo flashed enough to suggest he's got a real future at that spot in the NFL. He's got legitimate size at the position and showed a knack for getting past lineman quickly. There's no question that Oladejo is a raw player at this point, but there's more star potential here than with most projected Day 3 picks. He could be in play in the fourth round.
Fadil Diggs, Syracuse
A former Texas A&M Aggie, Diggs transferred to Syracuse after graduating for his final college season and enjoyed the best year of his career with 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. What earns Diggs the nod here, though, is his character. Diggs was twice a team captain at Texas A&M, and earned the same honor in his only season with Syracuse. He displayed a knack for making timely plays and has the tools to contribute to a rotation. At this point, however, Diggs doesn't show a polished feel for the game and his tackling leaves a lot to be desired. As a late-round flier, though, the intangibles and athletic profile make him an interesting option.
Pick(s): No. 118 overall (4th round), No. 218 overall (7th round), No. 242 overall (7th round)
Other Day 3 options: Quandarrius Robinson (Alabama), Ahmed Hassanein (Boise State), Jah Joyner (Minnesota)
