FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When the 2025 NFL Draft concluded Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, another wave of work began across the NFL.
Undrafted free agency.
"Or," Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Wednesday, "the eighth round you can call it this year because there are going to be a lot of good players left over. So, we really have to attack undrafted free agency in the right way."
The Falcons selected five players through the draft. The process of finding desired undrafted free agents surely began as soon as the tentpole event wrapped. Names will likely be reported Sunday, but normally, the organization announces it full list of signees Monday.
Last year, the Falcons drafted eight players and signed 10 undrafted free agents. None of them ultimately made Atlanta's 53-man roster for the regular season.
That doesn't mean an undrafted free agent can't turn this type of opportunity into a successful career. Offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil was an Atlanta undrafted free agent in 2021 and is fixing to be the Falcons’ starting center in 2025. Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner was an undrafted free agent signed by the Green Bay Packers in 1994 and later made a name for himself with the then-St. Louis Rams from 1998 on.
Fontenot knows not to underestimate the potential of undrafted free agency, especially this year.
"There's going to be undrafted free agents that end up being really good players," Fontenot said. "So, you have to get the picks right, regardless of if we make five picks and get 10 players in undrafted free agency. Whatever it is, it's about getting the picks right."
The reason Fontenot seems so confident this year's crop of undrafted free agents is bound to be strong is because the main attraction was.
"It's a deep draft," he said.
The class was bolstered by prospects who were impacted by COVID-19 in 2020. The NCAA extended student athletes’ eligibility because of the pandemic, essentially giving them more time to complete four seasons of play.
So, now that the initial pick of the litter is over, it's time for rest to potentially find a home for 2025.
"Again, in undrafted free agency, we've got to be aggressive in the right way and make sure we affect this team," Fontenot said, "because there are going to be good players there after the draft."
Join us as we take a look at the 2025 NFL draft class for the Atlanta Falcons, presented by Truist.
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sets up for a play against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sacks TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) during the second half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) works against Florida offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) reacts to making a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
UTEP quarterback JP Pickles (19) is sacked by Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) lines up for a play during an NCAA football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas won 19-14. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
Photos of the Georgia Tech vs Notre Dame Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) leaps up to try and make an interception near the sideline as Northern Illinois full back Brock Lampe (49) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) tries to rip the ball away from Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Scenes from the College Football National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) celebrates after intercepting a Texas pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) tackles UCF running back RJ Harvey (7) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. warms up before an NCAA college football game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Dallas. Texas won 34-3. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) tackles BYU running back Aidan Robbins (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson smiles on the bench during the an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Wisconsin's Jack Nelson lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin's Jack Nelson lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
