FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's been two weeks since the start of the new league year and the beginning of the NFL's free agency period. Atlanta's roster has changed a good bit during the free-agency fortnight, including the departure of Grady Jarrett and the addition of Leonard Floyd, but there's still a ways to go until the offseason dust is fully settled.
Free-agency moves can happen any time throughout the rest of the 2025 league year, and the NFL Draft is drawing ever closer, so the Falcons are far from finished shaping their squad. As they move forward, what should be at the top of their priority list? Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden and Terrin Waack have a few thoughts.
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McELHANEY: Still edge rusher. To absolutely no one's surprise.
I like the addition of Leonard Floyd to this defense. I am looking forward to seeing Bralen Trice back to 100%. And I feel good about the progress Arnold Ebiketie made in 2024. However, none of that means I don't think the Falcons overlook an edge rusher in this year's draft, whether that be in the first or second round.
Jalon Walker, Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, Mykel Williams, James Pearce Jr. — Take your pick; one of these guys (if not multiple of these guys) will be there at pick No. 15. Prime real estate for the best player available to meet a significant Falcons' need in 2025 if you ask me.
McFADDEN: Tori's answer is hard to top from a personnel standpoint, and it's where I land as well. Go get another pass rusher. However, because there may not be much left to come in terms of major roster moves until the draft and I'm comfortable with the secondary as it is — although I wouldn't be mad if they select a corner at No. 15 — I'm tossing out a curveball that has nothing to do with adding players.
The Falcons need to use this offseason to gain a schematic advantage on offense that will allow them to start fast in 2025. It might take a few games for Atlanta's modified defense to find its footing, but the offense figures to be in as good a shape as it's been in at least five years with returning consistency and excellent talent at the skill positions. Now, it's time to take the x-factor that is Michael Penix Jr., who NFL coordinators only have a three-game sample size of, and create an offense tailored to his skills.
But why stop there? What I believe should be the primary goal, at least for the offensive staff, is to find an innovation that gives Atlanta a true edge by showing defenses something they've never seen. Disciples of Sean McVay have been responsible for introducing things like the "cheat motion" or expanding upon the "illusion of complexity" approach he popularized. What is the Falcons' version of that? How will offensive coordinator Zac Robinson use the singular talents of players like Bijan Robinson and Drake London to create something we've not seen before?
Offseasons can be about advancing the playbook as much as they are about advancing the roster. The Falcons' limited resources make the latter a bit more difficult this year, which is why I believe the former should now take priority.
WAACK: There's one position on the offense the Falcons have not solidified, and it's their starting center. With Drew Dalman off to the Chicago Bears, the Falcons need a replacement who can anchor their offensive line. Ryan Neuzil is looking to be that guy, but he has not re-signed.
As a restricted free agent, the Falcons placed a right of first refusal tender on Neuzil. This means Atlanta can retain Neuzil by matching any offer extended to him from another team.
Well, that news came out March 12. There has been no word about Neuzil since then.
Although it is unlikely, it is not impossible that another team makes Neuzil an offer the Falcons are uncomfortable matching. So, there is still technically a chance he's not back in Atlanta in 2025 – and that's why the starting center should be atop the Falcons' checklist at this point.
