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. — Well, well, well... look what's made its triumphant return. Yep. Mock drafts are back, baby.
Now that the 2025 NFL Combine has come to a close and free agency and a new league year is nearly upon us, it's officially "Draft Szn."
Here's what you need to know as we get going: Starting this week, we're publishing a new mock draft weekly leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft at the end of April. So, if you're doing the math, that's eight different mock drafts. All eight will feature different sets of circumstances and picks to get you thinking. When we get closer to the draft I will introduce hypothetical trade scenarios and we will extend the mocks beyond the first round.
So, don't get all upset when I mock someone to the Falcons that you don't like. Chances are I will mock your choice at a later date.
But for the time being, we're going straight up with the first of many mock drafts to come: No trades. 32 picks. Let's get into it.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, WR, EDGE, OT, S
Analysis: I think the only way Carter isn't the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft is if a team trades up over the Browns to take quarterback Cam Ward. Here's looking at you, New York.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, QB, OT, WR, RB
Analysis: QB1 is off the board. This draft is going to differ from years past seeing as there isn't likely to be a substantial run on quarterbacks, but I tend to think Ward will be a top-5 pick regardless.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, OT, OG, CB, S
Analysis: Though it is very likely that the Giants scout out a quarterback early, for the time being I am giving them the Heisman Trophy winner with Ward off the board.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OT, WR, EDGE, CB, IOL
Analysis: I feel as though the question about the Patriots' priority at No. 4 overall isn't whether or not they need an offensive tackle. They do. It's who they feel is the best offensive tackle in the class. So far, I believe that person to be Campbell.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, S, IOL, WR, QB
Analysis: I went back and forth if I was going to give Jacksonville a secondary player, but I don't feel comfortable enough yet to have a corner or safety go in the top-5. So, McMillan it is — because I do think he is the best receiver in the class.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, WR, RB, CB, DT
Analysis: I do not know how this pairing is going to work out but I am very intrigued to see.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, DT, OT, S, CB
Analysis: I know we didn't see much (if any) of Graham at the combine last week, but I do think his tape speaks for itself. Enough for the Jets to take him at No. 7, at least.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, DT, WR, C, QB
Analysis: And here's our first edge rusher off the board. The jury is out as to who exactly will be that first edge rusher taken, but chances are No. 8 is the sweet spot for where we will find that answer. I went with Walker here because of the versatility he provides a team like the Panthers at the position.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, WR, TE, CB
Analysis: And just like that, we're on a defensive front roll. Again, I go back to what I said in the Panthers' analysis selection: Outside of Carter — the clear favorite in the draft — the next block of edge rushers who could go in the first round are a bit lumped together. I think we could see any number of combinations as to how Walker, Green, Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams will fall in the top-20. I am looking forward to playing around with those scenarios later. But for the time being, Green is heading to New Orleans.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OG, C, OT, EDGE, WR
Analysis: The Bears could use a guard or a tackle depending on the moves they make in free agency. Having a player like Banks who can likely play either role makes the most sense to me at pick No. 10.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, DT, EDGE, LB, OG
Analysis: I toyed with the idea of giving the 49ers an edge rusher or the second-best defensive tackle, but with Johnson still on the board, this decision was the right one to make.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: RB, OG, DT, CB, LB
Analysis: There is no one who flew up my draft board while I was at the combine than that of Jeanty. Every person I spoke to on and off the record about their favorite player in the draft made at least a mention of Jeanty. Because of the success of players like Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, I think more teams are open to drafting dynamic running backs in the top-20. Jeanty absolutely should be the first one off the board.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: S, DT, OG, LB, QB
Analysis: Despite his youth (only 20 years old), Booker is someone with tremendous upside who can likely slot in very quickly within the front of a team like the Dolphins.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: IOL, TE, CB, LB, S
Analysis: In a similar vein to what I was discussing with the Jeanty pick at No. 12, I wasn't as high on the tight ends in this draft class as others were going into the offseason. That changed the more conversations I had with college reporters, specifically, at the combine. Warren is someone whose talents were spoken highly of, which makes him a prime candidate to fill a need for the Colts.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, S, CB, C, WR
Analysis: Do you like this pick? For how many questions and tweets I get about the Falcons never drafting Georgia players, you better. Nah, I jest. Truly, though, this feels like a very intriguing pick for Atlanta. Did Williams have a stellar statistical season? No. But I don't think you can discount him on a down year alone. What he could provide a defensive front is length, athleticism and promise. These are things the Falcons covet.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, DT, WR, OG, OT
Analysis: By some opinions, I may be drafting Grant too high. However, this massive human is difficult to miss. And in a league that is won and lost in the trenches, I feel like attempting to build up the interior of the Cardinals' defensive line isn't something they would be mad about.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: WR, TE, OT, CB, OG
Analysis: Here's another tight end in the top-20 for you. I think he fits with the Bengals at No. 17 because of his pass-catching ability. Joe Burrow could use another big-time target. And partnering him with someone like Loveland makes a lot of sense.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OG, QB, LB, DT, OT
Analysis: I would argue there is no offensive lineman in this class who has the versatility Zabel does. He has experience all over the offensive front, except, well, the position he may ultimately end up playing: Center. Will the Seahawks move him there? Unsure. I'd imagine that would depend on what happens in free agency. Still, they could use a guard, too.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: WR, OG, LB, EDGE, OT
Analysis: Because the Seahawks, Bucs and Broncos all need a little help at linebacker, I don't see Campbell falling past any of them on draft night. For this mock, though, he's heading to Tampa.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: TE, WR, LB, S, DT
Analysis: In my head, Denver is a little pissed. They were hoping Warren or Loveland would fall to them. They didn't. Then, they were hoping Campbell would squeak through Seattle and Tampa. He didn't, either. So, here Denver sits, but they'll take a top receiver for Bo Nix. Maybe not what they are truly wanting but sometimes that's how the cookie crumbles.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, CB, RB, WR, OT
Analysis: You know what Arthur Smith loves? An offensive weapon. You know what Hampton is? That.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, DT, C, S, TE
Analysis: Shocked to see Stewart drop so far? Yeah, me too. Maybe I completely forgot about him in my first round planning until this moment. I will neither confirm nor deny, but I bet the Chargers are happy.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, EDGE, DT, C, WR
Analysis: I think Barron had a solid combine that lifted his stock a little bit for me. With the Packers in need of a corner, this felt right to me.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, DT, RB, OG, S
Analysis: The Athletic's Dane Brugler had Nolen falling to No. 32 in his most recent mock draft. He wrote that the Eagles have a habit of scooping up trench players who fall. I don't think Nolen will fall that far, though.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: WR, OG, DT, CB, OT
Analysis: I really like Golden. Of all the players in this class, he is one of my top ones to watch. He's so smooth in his movements and we all saw that speed on display at the combine. I think pairing him with C.J. Stroud is a fun duo Texans fans would be foaming at the mouth to see in action.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OT, WR, CB, LB, TE
Analysis: Simmons suffered a knee injury last season that cut his year short. It's this reason why he was hanging around for a team like the Rams to pick up in the back half of the draft. Set to be full-go by training camp, this could be a match as protecting Matthew Stafford continues to be the priority for Los Angeles.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OT, WR, EDGE, OG, S
Analysis: A run on offensive tackles! Look at that! And because of how quick Conerly's movement skills tested at the combine, he could be a nice lead blocker for someone as shifty as Lamar Jackson.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, CB, WR, OG, DT
Analysis: Hairston is one of the most intriguing talents in the draft class because of his play speed and how he uses it to his advantage. With the Lions defense need a little bit of speed, this seems like a natural fit.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, OT, WR, LB, CB
Analysis: I mean, the guy had 16.5 sacks last season. What more do you want me to say? Of course Dan Quinn would want this guy.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: DT, WR, EDGE, CB, S
Analysis: Despite safety not being one of the Bills' most significant needs at the moment, I do think getting the best safety in the class would be a safe play for Buffalo.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: DT, OG, OT, WR, EDGE
Analysis: Some analysts don't have Williams sneaking into the first round, but I do based on how things played out with some offensive line who were drafted. That's an obvious need for the Chiefs, but so is a play-maker on the defensive line. I think Williams could be that.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, WR, LB, OG, K
Analysis: If a Georgia defender is available at No. 32, I am handing him over to the Eagles every time. Don't say I didn't warn you.
