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. — We've made it to April, y'all.
This means at this time next month, the Falcons will have their entire 2025 draft class intact. Who will be a part of that class? It's all up for discussion right now. And that's what we're talking about in this week's Mailbox.
(And, well, another Kirk Cousins-related question, too).
Isaiah D. from Pomona, California
There are three guys I think the Falcons should select at 15. So, if you had to chose between these guys at 15:
Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M | Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia | Walter Nolan, DL, Mississippi — who would you choose?
Between the three, I am taking Mykel Williams. I think Shemar Stewart has traits to be excited about, but his lack of overall production in college concerns me. Meanwhile, I feel like pick No. 15 is too high for Nolan compared to other prospects who could be available around that time, too.
Williams feels like the most ready-made pro player of the three. I do not think his 2024 season was indicative of who he is or what he can be. The injury he sustained early on set him back a bit and he never really got back to 100%, Georgia coaches and Williams himself were honest about that. This wouldn't be the case as Williams heads into his rookie campaign.
In breaking down Williams game, I thought Eric Froton of NBC Sports had some interesting notes on the Georgia product that could bode well for the Falcons eyeing Williams at No. 15.
"He's farther along as a run defender, having posted 80th+ percentile run D grade in each of the last two seasons with a team-leading 15.0 havoc plays created," Froton wrote last month. "Williams' brisk first step and pro-ready power will play immediately at the next level, especially in run support where he has a penchant for rag-dolling blockers. Ideally his hand fighting and pass rush skills evolve, as Williams has all the tools to become an every down base edge player in the NFL."
Bill W. from Killen, Alabama
I believe the Falcons are setting themselves up for disaster if they trade Kirk Cousins. Surely Atlanta isn't turning the franchise over to a second year quarterback who only has three starts with no strong backup. If Michael Penix is the QB of the future let him prove it by competing against Kirk Cousins for the starting position. What am I missing?
What if I told you Penix has already competed for and won the starting job? To me, that's what 2024 was. What Penix was able to offer the Falcons at the end of the season surpassed what Cousins could. The Falcons gave Cousins every opportunity to right the ship, and he couldn't. All the while, Penix was moving forward in his own development. By the time the Falcons came to the decision to move forward with Penix as the starter, it was because he was the best option at the position. What he did in three games was evidence of that, too, compared to what Cousins did in the collective months of November and December games.
This is not to say Cousins won't be a starter again in this league. He just won't be in Atlanta if Penix continues to ascend in the way he is projected to.
As for what you said about the Falcons surely not turning the franchise over to a second-year quarterback who only has three starts, well, franchises are handed to top-10 draft picks every single year. If you spend a first-round pick on the quarterback, that is the expectation, whether he has three starts or not.
If the Falcons believe him to be a top-10 talent (which they obviously do), then this was the path all along. They've been open about that. It happened sooner than they thought, but there was never a doubt Penix would be a starting quarterback in this league.
As for who his backup could be if Cousins is ultimately traded, let's put a pin in that. It could be someone the Falcons acquire in the hypothetical trade or it could be someone off the streets or someone else's practice squad. I'm none too worried about that at the moment.
Sloane W. from Melbourne, Australia
I love mock draft season. However, at No. 15 I find it to be more speculation than probability. Do you envisage the Falcons going edge or cornerback, or is there a chance they will make another surprise selection like last year?
Oh Sloane, my friend, everything is speculation at this time of year. That's what makes it so fun! No one — not even the experts — know what's going to happen when teams are on the clock. As for your question, I am truly fine with either.
However, I do think edge is the more pressing need of the two while also being the deeper position in the first round. I believe there will still be viable starting options at cornerback in the early parts of the second round. So, if I am valuing one position over the other at No. 15? It's edge rushers.
CALL FOR QUESTIONS
You can submit said questions here, or send me a tweet to @tori_mcelhaney.
