Falcons 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Atlanta lands top 3 cornerback prospect in 3-round mock
The Atlanta Falcons finished the 2023 NFL season with 7-10 records and third place finish in the NFC South. They won seven gamed despite the shuffle at the quarterback position. While Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke were less than desirable, the Falcons had enough playmakers offensively to at least make things interesting.
Along with the hiring of Raheem Morris in the offseason, the Falcons addressed their quarterback issue by signing Kirk Cousins to lead an offense featuring Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts and 2023 first-round pick Bijan Robinson. The team also rattled the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting quarterback prospect Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Atlanta Falcons add reinforcements defensively and offensively
While a controversial pick, the Falcons added QB insurance and their future signal caller with the pick, which sets up the team addressing other needs in the 2025 NFL Draft. In doing mock drafts before training camps around the league are just getting ramped up, needs and circumstances can change but this NFL Mock Draft is based on what the team’s needs could be once the 2024 NFL season is over as the roster currently stands.
As far as draft position, the Falcons will select around No. 21 based on projected record in 2024. Obviously, that can change as well. So, here’s the early three-round mock draft for the 2025 NFL season for this NFC South favorite.
44. . Denzel Burke. . Denzel Burke. . CB, Ohio State. . 21.
With the No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Falcons select Ohio State standout cornerback Denzel Burke.
A former 4-star recruit from the state of Arizona, Burke made his impact and lockdown corner potential known immediately in his first season with Ohio State. In earning Freshman All-American honors, Burke put his potential on the map and has grown into one of the top defensive players in the Big Ten. With his versatility as a pass defender, Burke will be intriguing for many teams seeking talent in the secondary. He can play multiple coverages and still have some room for growth.
With his combination of quickness, length and physicality, Burke can ascend as the top corner entering the 2025 NFL Draft which means he could be out of reach for the Falcons depending on what kind of season they have, but as it stands, Burke would be a tremendous asset to the Falcons secondary in either playing alongside A.J. Terrell or replacing him if he can’t reach an extension with the team.
Falcons add another secondary talent in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
. . . Xavier Nwankpa. 53. Xavier Nwankpa. S, Iowa. 44. .
The Falcons stick with strengthening the secondary with the selection of Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa.
As one of the top-ranked safety prospects, Nwankpa finished the 2023 “as the most valuable safety in the country” according to PFF’s wins above average metric with an 88.4 coverage grade. In all, an athletic safety who displays a tremendous football IQ who can cover large portions of the field due to his speed and awareness.
He also has great size at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and would be a great addition to the Falcons defense. In 2023, he racked up 42 tackles with 1 sack and 1 interception showcasing his versatility and the different ways he can be used on defense. He would be a great compliment to Jessie Bates in solidifying the safety group which enters the 2024 NFL season as a big question mark.
. 72. . WR, Ole Miss. . . Antwane Wells Jr.. . Antwane Wells Jr.. 44
The Falcons add to their offense with the selection of wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. from the University of Mississippi.
At this stage of the game, the Falcons have Drake London and Rondale Moore headlining the wide receiver core, but with Moore headed towards free agency in 2025, the Falcons will look to add wide receiver depth in the third round. Wells Jr. will fit nicely in Atlanta as another weapon for Kirk Cousins.
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With great size for a wide receiver, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Wells was a 2023 preseason All-SEC and All-American selection before seeing his season cut short due to injury. That may put him under the radar a bit this upcoming season, but his production at South Carolina before transferring to Ole Miss ranks him amongst the top receivers in the country. Can he return to that? With another deep receiver class expected in 2025, Wells could be a steal for a team like the Falcons, especially with his physicality as a receiver.