The Michael Penix Jr. era in Atlanta is officially underway. After selecting Penix with the 8th overall pick last year, the rookie began the season as backup QB to Kirk Cousins. However, Cousins struggled in his first season in Atlanta, with Penix taking over as the starter for the final three games of the season.
Atlanta has just five picks in this year’s draft. They traded their third-round pick to New England in exchange for LB Matt Judon last year, while they were stripped of their fifth-round pick for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy for making improper contact with Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, and Charlie Woerner.
This is the first time since 2020 that Atlanta does not have a top-10 draft pick. In each of the last four years, they have used their first-round selection on an offensive playmaker, selecting TE Kyle Pitts (2021), WR Drake London (2022), RB Bijan Robinson (2023) and QB Michael Penix Jr. (2024).
Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Draft Picks
Round 1: No. 15 - Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Round 1: No. 26 (from LAR) - James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Round 3: No. 96 (from PHI) - Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
Round 4: No. 118 - Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma
Round 7: No. 218 (from CLE via LAC) - Jack Nelson, T, Wisconsin
Check out 2025 NFL Draft picks for other teams in the NFC South:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 NFL Draft picks
Carolina Panthers 2025 NFL Draft picks
New Orleans Saints 2025 NFL Draft picks
Click here to see the entire 2025 NFL Draft order. Coverage of the latest news from around the NFL is available all year round from Pro Football Talk on Peacock and the NFL on NBC YouTube Channel.
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