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ESPN ranks 3 Falcons among top 100 picks in 2025 NFL draft
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- ESPN ranks 3 Falcons among top 100 picks in 2025 NFL draft
It's been less than a week since the 2025 NFL draft concluded and those around the league seem to have mixed feelings about the Atlanta Falcons ' five-player draft class. The team landed three potential starters on the first two days before adding two high-upside selections on Day 3.
Some NFL analysts have praised Atlanta for upgrading its pass rush with two first-round edge rushers. ESPN's Matt Miller ranked the top 100 picks in this year's class based on value, need and fit. Three of Atlanta's selections made the list.
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Walker, a projected top-10 selection, was ranked as Miller's fifth-best pick in the entire draft.
Jalon Walker 's pick ranking: 5th
Walker was a top-five player on my board, and Atlanta ended his draft-night slide midway through the first round. Not only did the Falcons get great value, but they also got a player who fits perfectly for its scheme and need. Walker's NFL position has yet to be determined (he played both linebacker and edge at Georgia in 2024), but he brings desperately needed speed and high upside as a pass rusher in a 3-4 alignment. -- Matt Miller, ESPN
Walker has been almost unanimously praised as a great pick by Atlanta due to his mix of value and need. It also doesn't hurt that he's the first Georgia Bulldogs player that Atlanta has selected in the first round.
Xavier Watts ' pick ranking: 31st
Getting a 54-pick value is always good, but pairing Watts with Jessie Bates III is great. It gives Atlanta a ball-hawking safety duo. Watts' 13 interceptions in his past two seasons at Notre Dame made him one of the country's best defensive backs, and he now brings that ability to a Falcons defense that also nabbed edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in Round 1. -- Miller
Billy Bowman 's pick ranking: 72nd
Atlanta doubled down at edge rusher and safety, and Bowman's versatility aligns with new teammate Xavier Watts' skills. Bowman might see snaps at nickel safety first, but he has starter upside and ball skills. -- Miller
Bowman gets overlooked within this year's class, but he's another rookie who's likely to play a role this season on special teams and possibly at the nickel. After landing two edge rushers, the team was still able to find two playmakers in the secondary who can take the ball away.
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Watts should contribute this season as the third safety behind Jessie Bates and Jordan Fuller . The Notre Dame Standout will definitely get on the field and has a good chance to eventually start next to Bates.
There's a lot to like about the Falcons' 2025 draft class, but there's serious pressure on the team's two first-round picks to produce. In our latest post-draft lineup projections , we have both Walker and Pearce slotted in as starters.
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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons 2025 NFL draft class includes 3 of ESPN's top 100 picks
