Marc Raimondi
When Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris watched Super Bowl LIX last month, he took note of just how the Philadelphia Eagles were able to dominate the Kansas City Chiefs en route to a 40-22 win.
It was with defense. Specifically, how the Eagles dominated the Chiefs with their pass rush. Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times despite Philadelphia never even blitzing.
“We watched a clear example in the Super Bowl with those guys being able to rush the passer and finish off and do some really good things,” Morris said last week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “So, we look forward to adding those types of players.”
Many Falcons fans were already familiar with some of the key names and faces on the Philadelphia defense that stymied Mahomes and Kansas City because the core of the Eagles’ unit comes from one particular college: Georgia.
Linebacker Nolan Smith was second on the Eagles in sacks (6.5), and defensive tackle Jalen Carter was fourth (4.5). Linebacker Nakobe Dean was second on the team in total tackles (128). Defensive tackle Jordan Davis had a sack in the Super Bowl. All are former Bulldogs.
There’s a running joke in Atlanta that for some reason the Falcons won’t draft players early from Georgia. The Falcons had two regulars from UGA on their roster in 2024 — outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter and tight end Charlie Woerner — but didn’t draft either.
They have a chance to change that perception next month. There are three projected first-round picks coming out of Georgia, all at positions where the Falcons have a need. Atlanta drafts at No. 15 overall and then at No. 45 (second round).
In his latest mock draft, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has Georgia inside linebacker Jalon Walker, safety Malaki Starks and outside linebacker Mykel Williams all going in the first 17 picks.
The Falcons’ biggest need is the pass rush, as Morris alluded to. Atlanta finished second to last in the league in sacks (31) and quarterback pressure percentage (28.1%). Walker or Williams could both help there, if either falls to No. 15. Walker had 6.5 sacks and Williams had five for the Bulldogs this past season.
The Falcons also allowed the highest opposing quarterback completion percentage (69.9%) and the second-most touchdown passes (34). So, the secondary could use some help, as well. Starks is known as a ball hawk, with six interceptions over three college seasons.
The Falcons’ defense got better after a Week 12 bye week when Morris, the former Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, became more hands on. After the season, the franchise fired first-year defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and hired former Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who coached with Morris previously in Atlanta.
Edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie has shown signs of a breakthrough, and the Falcons will get back 2024 third-round pick Bralen Trice, who missed all of this past season with a torn ACL. But they could also lose pass rusher Matthew Judon, who was second on the team with 5.5 sacks. Judon is a free agent.
The good news is the 2025 draft class seems rich with defensive talent. Defense was the focus of the Falcons’ interviews at the combine last week. Kiper projects Atlanta taking Marshall outside linebacker Mike Green, who led the nation in sacks, at No. 15.
Green had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl. Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. ran the 40-yard dash in a sterling 4.7 seconds at the combine. And Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart has the measurables the Falcons drool over, including a 34⅛-inch reach. “This is a good draft,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said at the combine.
The University of Georgia is based in Athens, a shade over 40 miles southeast of Falcons headquarters in Flowery Branch. It’s possible this will be the year Atlanta finally plucks a Bulldog in the first round. Either way, it seems the Falcons are in a strong position to take a player who will fill a major need.
