NFL Mock Draft 8.0: Falcons don’t mess around in final mock, draft the best available edge rusher – Atlanta Falcons
2025-04-23T12:05:52Z
Tori McElhaney lands on Marshall edge rusher Mike Green at No. 15.
Senior Reporter 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. — The time is nearly nigh. That’s right, the 2025 NFL Draft is upon us. And after so many of these mock drafts and so much speculation, this reporter is pleased to report that this is her final mock draft before the real thing begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET up in Green Bay. Through all eight iterations of this mock draft series, one trend has prevailed time and time again: The Falcons need to draft a defensive players, specifically players along their defensive front. So, in this final mock draft, that’s exactly what I continue to prioritize for the 2025 Atlanta Falcons. Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, WR, EDGE, LB, S Starter needs, per PFF: QB, WR, LB | Depth/future needs: EDGE, CB Analysis: The Titans organization announced Tuesday afternoon that they would not be trading away the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. It’s only a matter of time before they get their QB1. Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, OL, EDGE, RB, S Starter needs, per PFF: WR | Depth/future needs: QB, OL, CB, EDGE, RB Analysis: There’s been a late push for Travis Hunter to the Browns at No. 2 overall. I don’t mind that, but I would rather see Hunter go someone that would prioritize him as a cornerback more than that of a receiver. And I don’t think that would be the Browns. Starter needs, per PFF: Technically, none | Depth/future needs: Long-term QB, OG, EDGE, DT Analysis: The Giants will need a long-term answer at quarterback. But I feel as though they are in the position to wait a year to really address that need. I don’t think there is any rush to push a Shedeur Sanders pick at No. 3 overall. Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, DL, RB, TE, S Starter needs, per PFF: OT, WR | Depth/future needs: EDGE, OG Analysis: When it comes to this year’s draft class, I tend to value the offensive tackles available at the top over that of the wide receivers. Needing both, the Patriots feel how I do. Biggest needs per NFL.com: DL, CB, S, OL, WR Starter needs, per PFF: DT | Depth/future needs: TE, RB, WR Analysis: There’s a lot of rumors out there right now that the Jaguars are really interested in running back Ashton Jeanty. I am thinking this is just some pre-draft smoke, but who knows? Maybe the Jaguars will do something different than what I am preparing for them to do at No. 5. Biggest needs per NFL.com: RB, WR, CB, OL, LB Starter needs, per PFF: CB, LB, WR | Depth/future needs: RB, OG Analysis: If the Jaguars really do go Jeanty at No. 5, I could see that creating a massive domino effect that could change the pacing of this draft. I wasn’t willing to throw in the towel on conjecture, though. So, I am going the tried-and-true method of sending Jeanty to Vegas. Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, TE, S, DL Starter needs, per PFF: OT | Depth/future needs: WR, TE, CB, DT Analysis: I toyed around with giving the Jets Will Campbell — who they need — but then I really didn’t want Warren falling out of the top-10. So, I did what I needed to do. Campbell (and the Jets’ need for a starting tackle) had to fall on the sword. Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, S, CB, WR, DL Starter needs, per PFF: EDGE, S | Depth/future needs: LB, WR, OT Analysis: For the final time: I am mocking Walker to the Panthers. Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, OL, WR, DL, QB Starter needs, per PFF: DT, potentially QB | Depth/future needs: CB, OT, LB Analysis: For so long I thought Sanders at No. 9 to the Saints was smoke. I didn’t take it seriously. That is, until the Derek Carr injury news emerged. Now? My entire thought process has changed. And maybe the Saints feel the same seeing as they are running out of quarterback options to lead the offense in 2025. Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, RB, EDGE, WR, TE Starter needs, per PFF: RB | Depth/future needs: EDGE, S, OT, LB Analysis: Like Warren, I couldn’t have Campbell fall out of the top-10. Fortunately for him, the Bears snag him. Biggest needs per NFL.com: DL, EDGE, OL, RB, CB Starter needs, per PFF: EDGE, DT | Depth/future needs: OG, LB, OT, CB Analysis: Do the 49ers need an edge rusher? A defensive tackle? Yes and yes. But they like the idea of getting the best player available on their big board, which just so happens to be a corner. Biggest needs per NFL.com: WR, RB, CB, LB, DL Starter needs, per PFF: WR | Depth/future needs: DT, EDGE, LB, RB, OG Analysis: There is a lot of debate as to who WR1 is in this year’s class. And though Matthew Golden is my guy, I do think more teams than not are high on McMillan. Dallas most specifically. Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, DL, S, CB, TE Starter needs, per PFF: CB | Depth/future needs: OT, DT, S Analysis: A few weeks ago I felt the need to justify this pick. I do not feel that way anymore. The closer we get to the draft, the more I am liking Starks to Miami. Biggest needs per NFL.com: TE, OL, LB, EDGE, RB Starter needs, per PFF: TE, LB | Depth/future needs: EDGE, IOL Analysis: There has been nothing I have been as sure about as the Colts drafting a tight end. It’s going to be interesting to see which one. Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, DL, CB, OL, S Starter needs, per PFF: EDGE, S | Depth/future needs: DT, TE, C, ILB Analysis: If we are going off of a lot of draft analysis decisions up to this point, this is the pick to make. Call it safe in way, but there’s never been a doubt what the Falcons need. And with this specific mock draft (with no trades), this is where the Falcons safely land. Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, EDGE, DL, CB Starter needs, per PFF: CB, LB | Depth/future needs: EDGE, DT, OT, WR Analysis: Wide receiver isn’t an immediate need for the Cardinals but I have never been able to shake the feeling that they need more offensive fire power. Golden fits that specific bill. Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, S, LB, OL, CB Starter needs, per PFF: EDGE, OG, S | Depth/future needs: DT, CB Analysis: The Bengals have a lot of needs, so their decision could go a number of ways. But y’all know how highly I think of Williams. It’s why I do think he could be the right fit at No. 17. Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, CB, S, DL Starter needs, per PFF: OG | Depth/future needs: WR, OT, CB Analysis: This was a very easy decision considering Booker is arguably the best interior offensive lineman option in the class. Because of the value of edge rushers and tackles early, Booker falls. And the Seahawks eagerly snag him. Biggest needs per NFL.com: LB, CB, EDGE, S, OL Starter needs, per PFF: Technically, none | Depth/future needs: LB, EDGE, DT Analysis: I mocked Campbell to the Bucs very early on and I tried to do some different things with Campbell in the weeks since, but this is where my heart lands so I had to make it happen once more. Biggest needs per NFL.com: RB, WR, CB, TE, DL Starter needs, per PFF: RB | Depth/future needs: WR, LB, DT Analysis: Barron is a sneaky-good pick for the Broncos in my opinion. I think he is absolutely the best player available to this point. So, even though cornerback isn’t a particularly strong need for Denver, I don’t think they pass him up. Much to the next pick’s surprise. Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, RB, DL, WR, OL Starter needs, per PFF: At this moment, a QB | Depth/future needs: DT, RB, CB Analysis: There is no one who thought the Broncos would pass over an opportunity to bring in Hampton. Least of all the Steelers. Though they need a quarterback, they feel confident that Aaron Rodgers will sign with them if he knows they are committed to him. Well, nothing says commitment like draft a running back instead of a quarterback in the first round. Am I right? Biggest needs per NFL.com: TE, WR, DL, RB, EDGE Starter needs, per PFF: DT | Depth/future needs: EDGE, CB, TE, WR Analysis: This was a simple “the Chargers need a defensive tackle, so here’s a defensive tackle for you” situation. Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, WR, EDGE, DL, OL Starter needs, per PFF: EDGE | Depth/future needs: CB, DT, LB, WR Analysis: I really wanted to not give the Packers an edge rusher because that seemed predictable. This pick? Not so much. Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, OL, S, LB, DL Starter needs, per PFF: Technically, none | Depth/future needs: CB, S, DT Analysis: The Vikings could have gone with a corner or tackle further down their draft board, but why do that when arguable the best safety is still available? Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, DL, S, CB Starter needs, per PFF: OT | Depth/future needs: IOL, DT, WR, S Analysis: My boy Grey Zabel is going to Texas!!! (If you know you know, dearest podcast listeners). Biggest needs per NFL.com: LB, CB, OL, TE, WR Starter needs, per PFF: DT | Depth/future needs: EDGE, CB, TE, WR Analysis: This is another instance of a best-player-available approach taking precedents above a specific position of need. Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, CB, S, DL, EDGE Starter needs, per PFF: OG | Depth/future needs: CB, DT, EDGE, LB, TE Analysis: Conerly may technically be a tackle, but a lot of teams are valuing him inside. That Ravens could be one of said teams. Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, OL, S, DL, WR Starter needs, per PFF: EDGE | Depth/future needs: OG, WR Analysis: Stewart seems like the perfect pairing with Dan Campbell in Detroit. And if Campbell can get the most out of Stewart? He could be lethal. Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, CB, WR, S, OL Starter needs, per PFF: EDGE | Depth/future needs: CB, WR, RB, OT Analysis: If I am Dan Quinn I am giddy about this pick. Ezeiruaku is one of the cleanest processors in this edge rusher group. He has the look, the traits and the production. He will make a team happy. Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, DL, WR, EDGE, S Starter needs, per PFF: CB | Depth/future needs: DT, LB, RB Analysis: If I am the Bills I am running this pick up to the board. That’s because the ceiling for Nolen is very high in my opinion. Biggest needs per NFL.com: DT, OL, EDGE, S, WR Starter needs, per PFF: DT | Depth/future needs: OL, RB, TE, CB Analysis: Pearce’s story arch from trending towards a top-5 talent in 2024’s pre-draft discussions to barely squeaking into the first round by 2025 is intriguing to say the least. Kansas City doesn’t care though. They’re getting a steal at No. 31. Biggest needs per NFL.com: S, DL, CB, EDGE, OL Starter needs, per PFF: S | Depth/future needs: DT, TE, CB Analysis: The Eagles could have gone a few different ways with this pick, but I do like the idea of them valuing an offensive weapon even if they aren’t really needing one right now. They’ve gone defense so much in the last five years. Perhaps they switch things up this year. Surprise some people. Tori McElhaney extends her seventh mock draft to include all of the second round. What moves does she have the Falcons making? Plus, a second-round trade gathers the Falcons more draft capital. The Falcons get back into the third- and fifth-round, plus they add a second while they’re at it in this seven-round mock. Let’s build the best rookie class in the NFL. Tori McElhaney passes on the drafting privileges to her coworkers. That’s right: The Falcons digital, creative and communication teams take the reins. Jalon Walker somehow, someway falls to the Falcons at No. 15. They don’t miss the opportunity to grab him. Tori McElhaney drafts the edge rusher everyone was talking about after his pro day this week. Tori McElhaney’s third mock draft analyzes a move that goes away from the edge rusher formula everyone assumes the Falcons will take. The first wave of free agency is in full swing. How do the moves across the league affect each team? Let’s discuss. Tori McElhaney takes first run at what the first round of the 2025 Draft could look like. It’s draft week, y’all. Here’s one more mock draft to get you thinking.
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