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. — April is here, and the 2025 NFL Draft is only weeks away. We've reached the point of the draft process where the names have become familiar and preferences have started to take hold.
For the Falcons, the preference among the fan base is clear: Get an impact defender. It would be great if Atlanta landed its long-awaited premier pass rusher, but there are a few positions on the defensive side of the ball the Falcons could bolster.
In that spirit, our editorial staff of Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden and Terrin Waack share their favorite defensive prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
McELHANEY: I love the range of play that Jihaad Campbell has. His versatility should make any defensive coordinator excited, because you can do (honestly?) whatever you want with him along the front seven. He played off the ball and off the edge in 2024, and did both well. He has a nice pairing of speed and physicality that allows him to succeed in whatever role is ultimately thrust upon him.
As Daniel Jeremiah wrote in his top-50 prospects list: "Campbell expands the playbook for defensive coordinators." I tend to agree with this assessment, which is why I think he is my favorite defensive player in the draft this year.
If you've ever heard me talk about Kaden Elliss' versatility at the position, then this pick should not surprise you at all.
McFADDEN: There I was, ticking another name off my list of draft prospects to review, when I turned on the film that would forever leave me a changed man. Let me tell you about Maxwell Hairston, a certified draft dime.
The first thing that jumped off the tape was Hairston's competitive nature. It's as though he's 5 feet 11 inches and 183 pounds of pure heart. He has no issue sticking his nose into the mix and tackles much bigger players with confidence. But, as a cornerback, Hairston's bread will be buttered in coverage, and it's that part of his game I was most captivated by.
Hairston has terrific instincts in coverage and his football intelligence stands out before and after the snap. The team captain was a constant communicator, emphasized by the variety of places he lined up for Kentucky's defense. Hairston is fast to react when the ball is in the air, closing quickly in zone coverage and timing breaks well in man coverage. He also proved adept at reading the eyes of quarterbacks and understanding the structure of the defense.
Those skills helped Hairston lead the SEC with five interceptions and two pick sixes in 2023. In the last two seasons, Hairston has a total of six interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. The former Wildcat is a leader, a playmaker and my No. 1.
WAACK: The reason I am fascinated by Travis Hunter is because he successfully played both sides of the ball for Colorado. Better yet, he hopes to do the same in the NFL. That desire has sparked conversations — and possibly, dare I say, controversy – about whether he can actually do so at the next level.
Take the first five picks for the 2025 NFL Draft, for example. Each team has shared a different take on how best to use Hunter, should he be drafted to the organization.
- No. 1, Tennessee Titans: According to the team website, head coach Brian Callahan said "it’s ‘very realistic’ to think Hunter couple play on both sides."
- No. 2, Cleveland Browns: According to the team website, general manager Andrew Berry said the Browns "view Hunters as a receiver first before a corner."
- No. 3, New York Giants: According to the New York Post, the Giants "view him as a No. 1 cornerback and perhaps a gadget player on offense."
As recently as Monday at the NFL's Annual League Meetings, both the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars head coaches vocalized support toward Hunter playing both ways. The Patriots and Jaguars have the Nos. 4 and 5 picks, respectively.
Regardless of who drafts Hunter, I don't think the public – maybe even the player and team alike – will know exactly what the rookie's future holds. That'll come with time, with actual on-field work during the offseason program and training camp. And even after all that, as the season officially begins, his usage will likely evolve as Hunter adjusts to the pros.
Until then, the 21-year-old boasts full faith in himself and his ability to be an offensive and defensive weapon.
"They say nobody has ever done it the way I do it," Hunter said at the 2025 NFL Combine. "But I tell them I'm just different. I'm a different person."
