April 23, 2025 • 21 mins
Join everyone you see and hear on the Atlanta Falcons channels as the entire staff gets together to make their predictions for who the team will select in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - D.J. Shockley
3:10 - Tori McElhaney
7:36 - Derek Rackley
10:46 - Terrin Waack
12:28 - Will McFadden
16:40 - Dave Archer
18:22 - Taylor Vismor
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thirty birds. What's up? And welcome to another Atlanta Falcons podcast. Boy,
we have a special one in store for you all today.
You're gonna hear from our incredible cast of Falcons talent
to share their final predictions for who the Falcons will
be selecting when they come on the clock at pick
number fifteen tomorrow. The NFL Drafts first round will begin
(00:20):
on Thursday, and who knows, maybe the Falcons will actually
make a trade when they come on the clock at
pick fifteen. Everything feels like it is on the table
at this point in time. You've heard us talk about
all of these players over the last weeks and months,
but the time for talking has ended. It is the
time for predictions, and so you're going to hear from
(00:41):
each of us very quickly, three to five minutes, one
after another. Buckle up, a lot of draft conversation is
coming your way right now.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hey there, everybody. I am Djshockle of Atlanta Falcons dot
com And with the fifteenth pick of the twenty twenty
five NFL Draft, the atlant foul and select but Shamar
Stewart out of Texas and m I think it's pretty simple.
I think it's pretty easy to know that the Falcons
need pass rushers. We need guys who can get to
(01:12):
the quarterback but also get that quarterback on the ground.
We have struggled to do that over the years. It's
been a long time since we had this kind of
guy who can get to the quarterback. Now, why Shamar
Stewart in particular, This guy six', five he's two. Seventy
the guy broad jumped ten eleven a forty inch. Vert
you know What i'm going with. This the guy is,
Versatile the guy is can do anything you want him to.
(01:35):
Do and the guy is so, athletic AND i think
that bowls well For jeff albrick type of. Defense you
want a guy who can play, inside who can play,
outside can rush the, passer but also hold up against
the run. Game not just to be able to get
to the, quarterback but you gotta be physical at the
point of. Attack that's What Jeff albrick. Wants, aggressive physical.
Guys he brings that to the. Team he's, long he's,
(01:56):
athletic and people, say, oh what about his stature, College
that doesn't. Matter this guy played team football At TEXAS
a and M michaelko's defensive. Coordinator this is a guy
who understands what it takes to make everybody around him,
better make all the other teen guys around. Him but
this guy brings that, energy he brings that. Juice he
will be physically to point, Attack he will get up,
feel he will have a lot of chances to get
(02:18):
to the. Quarterback Shamar stewart will be the guy you
love to watch On sundays and will be A falcon
fan favorite for a very long. Time, now how DID
i rave this? PICK i looked at a bunch of. Guys,
obviously there are a lot of guys in this draft
who ARE i think could be A falcon who could
absolutely be a really good player for. Him BUT i
Think Shamar, stewart with his, size his, length his, athleticism
(02:40):
can be the guy that can be that next great pass.
Rusher since a guy Like John abraham to turn the
corner for The Atlanta falcons in this, defense ad him With,
floyd ad him With Emma. Katie these are guys that
you can add to the. Fray you can, say you know,
What Shamar stewart is the next great pass rusher for
The Atlanta. Falcons so when you See Shamar stewart and you, know,
hey we drafted her number five. Team just no shock
(03:01):
toes you first and know That Shamar stewell will be
The falcons pick at number, fifteen rushing to PASSER Dobg
sacks on the.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Way rise, Up, hi, Guys tory.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Mclhaney, HERE i am the senior reporter for The Atlanta,
falcons and here is my pick for who The falcons
should pick at number fifteen. Overall, Honestly i'm trading out
of fifteen IF i. CAN i am a really big
proponent of the fact that The falcons only have five
total draft picks in the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl, draft
(03:32):
two of which are seventh. ROUNDERS i gotta get more,
picks So i'm gonna leverage the number fifteen overall, pick
AND i would ideally like to jump ahead of The
Green Bay packers at twenty. TWO i think that The
Green Bay packers are a team that is going to
want AN edg dresher cornerback potentially a defensive, tackle which
(03:54):
are all the things that The falcons want as. Well
so with the number fifteen pick in THE Nfl, draft
The Atlanta falcons are trading back to let's say anywhere
from eighteen to twenty, ONE i would accrue a couple
of extra draft, picks which would be important for. ME
i would want to get another SECOND i would really
like to get back into the third. ROUND i would
(04:16):
really like to get back into the fifth round as.
Well but you, Know i'll take WHAT i can. Get
IF i can get some MORE ammo in day, two
that's What i'm gonna. Take so that's What i'm gonna.
Do looking, now how things are gonna fall, thereafter or
HOW i think they're gonna. FALL i think that a
guy LIKE Mikel williams from The university Of georgia will
(04:37):
still be on the board between picks seventeen eighteen and
twenty one twenty, two so The falcons can fall and
trade back anywhere in those five or so picks before
you really get a run at the end of the
first round with ed drushers and defensive tackles that you
know The Kansas City chiefs are going to go, after
(04:57):
you know that The Detroit, Lions washington come out going
to go. After that's kind of the sweet spot for,
me AND i would Take Mikeel williams BECAUSE i think
that at that point in, time there is a good chance.
THAT i, MEAN i let's be, REAL i don't think
a guy Like Jayalen walker is going to be there
even at. FIFTEEN i think That Mike green is a
(05:18):
really really interesting and dynamic. Player BUT i think there's
also a possibility that me moving down out of, FIFTEEN
i would maybe lose my shot at getting someone like
A Mike green or even A Shamar. Stewart But Mikeel
williams is somebody WHO i think has the opportunity to
fall within that. Window that would be somebody The falcons
(05:38):
could really really. Value they spend a lot of time
at The university Of georgia over this past off, season
whether it be pro days or workouts For Jalen walker
And Mikeel. Williams he's a guy WHO i think is
his ceiling in his. FLOOR i feel LIKE i know
exactly what he is and how he can help this.
Team while also understanding that The falcons have even more
(06:00):
defensive needs that they need to go out in a,
crew which they would be able to do with this
hypothetical trade in acquiring more picks On day two And day.
Three so that's kind of WHY i lean towards this
scenario and WHY i lean Towards Michael williams. Specifically, now
why the edge rusher, group, well this position group IS i,
MEAN i don't need to tell you guys, this you already.
(06:22):
Know you know how much This falcons team needs more
of a presence off of the, edge and that is
something that If i'm PLAYING, Gm i'm putting very very.
Highly if you've watched Anything i've done over the last few,
YEARS i consistently have mocked an ed dresher to The
falcons in the first. ROUND i think this is finally
the year that that's going to be, right And i'm
really excited to see what could happen with a, real
(06:46):
true first round talent coming off of the edge for
The Atlanta. Falcons it's something they really really. Need AND
i think THAT i could make the argument to go
after a safety in the first, ROUND i could make
the argument to go after a corner in the first,
round BUT i do think there's still going to be
some opportunities down the road for you to get a
safety or a corner that could be impactful for what
(07:08):
you have on this team right. Now so that's kind
of HOW i got to this. Scenario i'm trading out of.
Fifteen i'm acquiring more, picks hopefully in Both day two
And day, three And i'm going to try and go
get an, edgdresher Particularly Mikel, williams WHO i think you
know exactly who he, is and you feel really good
(07:28):
about his floor and his ceiling and how he could
impact this team right. Now so that's What i'm doing
in the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Draft Derek rackley here From Atlanta falcons Dot. Com The
Falcons attiwle presented BY at AND t and the Pregame,
show and with the fifteenth pick of the first round
in the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl, draft The Atlanta falcons
trade their selection And i'm going to say they trade
their selections with their selection with THE La chargers to
(07:57):
move back to twenty. Two chargers are going to move
up to try to get a receiver or a tight
end to go Alongside lad McConkey in that. Offense but
The Atlanta falcons are going to drop back in this
scenario to twenty, two and they're going to Select Mikel
williams out Of, georgia the edge rusher from The Georgia
bulldogs at six foot, five two hundred and sixty. Pounds
he's going to come in and bring a physical and
(08:19):
athletic presence to this. Defense thirty two and three eight
thirty four and three eighths inch. Arms he's going to
bring the ability to lock out offensive. Tackles he obviously
played through some injuries last, year WHICH i think you
could commend him because he could just have, said you know,
What i'm going to take it the season, Off i'm
going to get ready for The National Football. League but
(08:40):
he continued to work his way through it and showed
how much of a dynamic and explosive player he can
be in That Georgia bulldogs. Defense and what have we
seen over the past few years With georgia. Defenders they
have gone on to The National Football, league drafted extremely,
highly and quite a few of them went to The
Philadelphia eagles organization and found themselves when A Super. Bowl,
(09:01):
now why DID i make this? Selection, well for a
couple of. Reasons Atlanta falcons coming into this draft with
only five, selections, okay a, first a, second a, fourth
and two seventh round. Picks. Okay the last Time atlanta
only had five selections in a draft was all the
way back in two thousand and. SIX i feel like
this is a season That atlanta needs to bring in
(09:23):
more draft, assets more draft, capital meaning more reps at
the plate if you will on bringing in additional. Players
another thing to note in your, Division, carolina they've got nine.
Picks they're gonna make five selections Before atlanta makes their third.
Pick how About New orleans nine? Picks they have six
(09:43):
selections in the first four. Rounds what's the best way
to get to the postseason in The National Football league
by winning your? Division, okay you got two out of
the three other teams in your division that have a
number of selections in this. DRAFT i feel Like atlanta
needs to find a way to grab some more. SELECTIONS
i propose to trade with The, chargers dropping back to twenty.
(10:04):
Two it could be to, anybody somebody that's going to
be able to put together the right package to Give
atlanta more. Selections AND i still think there will be
a quality, player even if it ends up being in
the late twenties or even into the thirties of the first.
Round there might be An, ezeraku A pierce From tennessee
that's still available as an edge rusher that you can
(10:25):
get in the, twenties still improve your, defense but pick
up additional draft assets and find a way to bring
in more players in this. Organization but AS i mentioned my,
Scenario Atlanta falcons dropping back to twenty two selecting Mikel
williams out Of georgia and he is the next member
in the first round of The Atlanta falcons of the
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
Draft, Hi I'm Tarin walk AND i am The Atlanta
falcons digital routine. Reporter let's get to the fun. Part
with the fifteen pick in the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl,
draft The Atlanta falcons select Edge Donovan asraku From Boston.
College why this position group, specifically it is no secret
since the twenty twenty four season ended that The falcons
(11:07):
want to improve their pass. Rush The falcons were second
to last in the league last year in sacks with
thirty one, overall And donovan has a proven record of
being able to take down the. Quarterback he had the
second most, sacks not the second, fewest second most last
season in college football with sixteen and a. Half he
also had twenty and a half tackles for, loss which
(11:30):
led THE Acc he is The Ted Hendricks award winner
from twenty twenty, four which is given to the nation's
top defensive. End NEED i say, MORE i. WILL a
big thing that appeals me To donovan is because he
has such a well rounded. Resume he's, very very. Consistent
the proven production is there in the NUMBERS i have,
(11:52):
dropped along with other things like three force funbles throughout
his career in twenty twenty two and twenty twenty, four
he Has he's never had serious injuries in a sense
that he has started thirty six games straight to close
out his. Career he is a two year. Captain it's
just a little bit of everything that can be cultivated
at the next level very. Highly The falcons haven't had
(12:14):
someone with double digit sacks Since Vic beasley in twenty,
sixteen and he had fifteen and a. Half If donovan
is able to bring his sixteen and a half sacks To,
atlanta The falcons will be a very happy team when
it comes to their past rush in twenty twenty five and.
Beyond what's up.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Y'all will McFadden senior editor and staff writer here At
Atlanta falcons dot com and With falcons on The clock
at pick number. Fifteen you, know they entertained a few trade,
offers they tried to drum up some, interest but ULTIMATELY
i don't think that they'll be able to make it
work in the first. Round, now different conversation on day.
TWO i actually like them to maybe accrew a couple
(12:51):
of picks and trade back in the second round if
things break the right. Way but that's not what we're
here to. Discuss falcons around the. Clock we got some
business to handle at pick number, fifteen and with that,
pick The falcons are going to Take Mike, green the
edge rusher out Of, marshall and he is a fireball
coming off of the. Edge let me tell, you WHEN
i saw him at The Senior, bowl it was kind
(13:14):
of like something close to love for me in terms
of seeing the pass rusher who can do it. All
he can rush around the, arc he can run right
through an offensive, tackles face, mask and he can break
out a nice dip and, rip a nice little club.
Move he's got some tools in the. Bag so the
knocks Against Mike, green obviously the off field concerns. Right
(13:37):
he transferred out Of virginia following a sexual assault, allegation
but nothing more has really come of. That he denied
it himself at THE nfl. Combine he has said he
has been open and honest the entire step of the
way that people can dig in and that is what
The falcons and their staff have been. Doing and SO
i trust that if this is the, selection that they
(14:01):
will have done their due diligence and they will feel
comfortable with picking the. Player and so that is because
that is something THAT i don't have any information. About
i'm not an investigative researcher in that. LEVEL i have
to look at what they're getting on the, field and
on the field there's a lot to. Like you can
start with the seventeen sacks right last, Season Mike green
(14:22):
had more sacks than any other player in THE, fbs
and for a team that finished with the second fewest
sacks in the league last, season that would be a big.
BENEFIT i like what The falcons had built around the
player THAT i expect them to add kind of in
the draft to their pass. Rush they have a really
good supporting, cast Adding Leonard floyd this, offseason Getting Braylan trice,
(14:45):
back will see what he's able to. Bring and then
of Course Arnold abakatie taking kind of the step late
in the year that he did that is not bad
to work, with but you need that central. Figure and
we've been hearing a lot about The falcons looking at
their pass rush as a little bit of a basketball,
rotation and in that, SETTING i Think Mike green would.
Thrive he could be a high energy bring him in
(15:08):
to just change things, up throw a different, look And
he's got a lot of different looks to. Throw SO
i think that The falcons are kind of the right
makeup for a player like. HIM i like where their
defense is, headed and if they are able to add
a player Like Mike green here at, FIFTEEN i do
think it'll kind of take them over the top a little. Bit,
(15:31):
REGARDLESS i think edge rusher is the way The falcons
should go in the first. Round you can make an
argument for corner if they double dip in rounds one and,
Two edge and. Corner regardless of how they do, IT
i would be. HAPPY i think defense is going to
be the way that they need to. Go and ultimately
that is kind of HOW i arrived at this. Pick
and you could look at the length Of mike Hil,
williams you could look at the length and size of
(15:54):
A Shamar, stewart kind of the polish of A Donovan.
Azerraku there are a lot of good options At edgrusher
that The falcons will probably have on the board at pick,
Fifteen but for, me it's really just the combination of
kind of all of the different tools THAT i saw
From Mike green on display at one point or, another
combined with kind of A tasmanian devil type of. Demeanor
(16:16):
he just plays with his hair on, fire And i'm
always going to be drawn to a guy like. THAT
i just love WHAT i saw at The Senior. Bowl
MAYBE i can't shake. That Maybe i'm, biased but With Mike,
green if he is there on the board at pick number,
fifteen it's kind of an easy call for me to.
Make Sorry George bulldog, Fans i'm an alumni, myself But
i'm going With Mike green and The Marshall Thundering herd
(16:38):
this time around at pick number.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
Fifteen, hey this Is Dave artie The Atlanta Falconradio network
At Atlanta falcons Dot. Com i'm excited about the, draft
so let's get started with the fifteen pick of the
twenty twenty FIVE nfl. Draft The Atlanta falcons Select JOHN. A,
barren THE defensi, back AND i say defens you back
out Of, texas and that's WHY i selected. Him this
(17:02):
position group is one That atlanta needs to add some
depth or a, starter WHICH i think this guy will.
Be but he can play, corner he can play, nickel
and he can play. SAFETY i think he's got a
specific ability to play in the, slot specifically his ability
to play the nickel, area which is where he played
predominantly At. Texas Thorpe award winner for the top defensive
(17:23):
back of the. Country he had five interceptions a year,
ago eight interceptions over his three years as A texas.
Longhorn this is a guy that can play nickel quite
corner if you need him, to but he slides inside
and plays that nickel. Spot and for the most, part
sixty five seventy percent of the. Time sixty eight percent
of the, TIME i guess is the. Number you're a,
nickel meaning an extra rusher on the field and probably
an extra defensy. Back and this guy could maybe slide
(17:46):
from starting corner to inside once you go to, nickel
or he could just stay at the nickel spot the whole.
TIME i think this is one of those years where
you're gonna draft guys specific to what they, do And JOHN.
A barron is an expert playing on the. Interior Think Earl,
thomas the safety out Of texas that played in The
legion Of boone defense for The Seattle. Seahawks both came From.
(18:07):
Texas both are about five eleven five. Ten both ran
four to three under four to four at the. Combine
this kid can play all over the. PLACE i think
he's A day one starter and he has tremendous effect
on this. Defense JOHN. A barn out Of.
Speaker 7 (18:22):
Texas, hey, Guys taylor VIIs morris studio. HOST i do
pregame show all that fun. STUFF i do podcasts every
now and. Again so this year for the fit with
the fifteenth overall, PICK i think The Atlanta falcons will
be Taking mike Hel williams from The university Of. Georgia
so many of you guys know. Him root for him
On saturdays and hopefully we'll be able to cheer for
him On sundays for The Atlanta. Falcons this guy is six,
(18:45):
five two hundred and sixty five pounds coming into the.
Draft he ran a four to seven to seven forty
at THE Uga Pro. Day he is your prototype for
And Ed rosher like the just the stature that he,
has the build that he. Has he is a great
addresser based on his stature. Alone the thing that, matters,
though when you look down the line of how to
(19:07):
bring these players into your defense is do they work
with your defensive? Scheme AND i Think Mikel williams works
phenomenally With jeff ulbricks. Scheme, Yes Jeff ulbrick is a
four to three kind of defensive, coordinator but he came
in and he, said my main goal is to have
a multiplicity defense where we, run, yes four to, three
and we run three, fours but then we also run
(19:28):
some things that are three to four ish and four
to three, ish AND i need players to be able
to come in and plug and play and help wherever
we ask you to. Go Mikel williams has cross trained
across the entire defensive front in his time AT. Uga
if you know anything About Kirby smart and the way
that he brings players in and refines him at The
university Of, georgia you know that this, Player Mikel, williams
(19:50):
he comes in and he can be a plug and
play player Wherever Jeff ulbrick needs him on that defensive.
Front If Mikel, williams let's get, crazy let me get
on my so box really. Fast let's Say Mikel williams
And Shamar stuart are still left at like that twelve
ranch BECAUSE i do think there will be a run
of edge rushers at you, know the top three edg,
(20:12):
rushers AND i do think it will, be of Course Abdul.
CARTER i think it will Be Jalen, walker and THEN
i Think Mike green will be that third edge taken
from the edge. Group so If Mikel williams And Shamar
stewart are left over of the top five edge rushers
in this class at they're left at that twelve, spot
twelve thirteen, PICK i think The falcons have a really
(20:33):
good opportunity to trade down and get a little bit
more draft. Capital because there's only five picks that The falcons,
have two of which are seventh round. PICKS i know
that you guys already know, that but in order to
stock up this, defense you need more draft capital down the.
Line SO i think it would be it would behoove
The falcons to trade down If Mikel williams and If
(20:54):
Shamar stewart are still available at twelve, thirteen trade back.
Down you're probably going to be able to get one
of those guys if you trade back down to twenty
twenty one or twenty. Two that's with The, Broncos steelers And, chargers.
RESPECTIVELY i think either of these guys are great at
dressers that would work beautifully In Jeff ulbrick's. Scheme BUT
i think if you're looking at the fifteenth overall pick right,
(21:14):
NOW i Think Mikel williams from The university Of georgia
is your. Guy thanks, guys
Thirty birds. What's up? And welcome to another Atlanta Falcons podcast. Boy,
we have a special one in store for you all today.
You're gonna hear from our incredible cast of Falcons talent
to share their final predictions for who the Falcons will
be selecting when they come on the clock at pick
number fifteen tomorrow. The NFL Drafts first round will begin
(00:20):
on Thursday, and who knows, maybe the Falcons will actually
make a trade when they come on the clock at
pick fifteen. Everything feels like it is on the table
at this point in time. You've heard us talk about
all of these players over the last weeks and months,
but the time for talking has ended. It is the
time for predictions, and so you're going to hear from
(00:41):
each of us very quickly, three to five minutes, one
after another. Buckle up, a lot of draft conversation is
coming your way right now.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hey there, everybody. I am Djshockle of Atlanta Falcons dot
com And with the fifteenth pick of the twenty twenty
five NFL Draft, the atlant foul and select but Shamar
Stewart out of Texas and m I think it's pretty simple.
I think it's pretty easy to know that the Falcons
need pass rushers. We need guys who can get to
(01:12):
the quarterback but also get that quarterback on the ground.
We have struggled to do that over the years. It's
been a long time since we had this kind of
guy who can get to the quarterback. Now, why Shamar
Stewart in particular, This guy six', five he's two. Seventy
the guy broad jumped ten eleven a forty inch. Vert
you know What i'm going with. This the guy is,
Versatile the guy is can do anything you want him to.
(01:35):
Do and the guy is so, athletic AND i think
that bowls well For jeff albrick type of. Defense you
want a guy who can play, inside who can play,
outside can rush the, passer but also hold up against
the run. Game not just to be able to get
to the, quarterback but you gotta be physical at the
point of. Attack that's What Jeff albrick. Wants, aggressive physical.
Guys he brings that to the. Team he's, long he's,
(01:56):
athletic and people, say, oh what about his stature, College
that doesn't. Matter this guy played team football At TEXAS
a and M michaelko's defensive. Coordinator this is a guy
who understands what it takes to make everybody around him,
better make all the other teen guys around. Him but
this guy brings that, energy he brings that. Juice he
will be physically to point, Attack he will get up,
feel he will have a lot of chances to get
(02:18):
to the. Quarterback Shamar stewart will be the guy you
love to watch On sundays and will be A falcon
fan favorite for a very long. Time, now how DID
i rave this? PICK i looked at a bunch of. Guys,
obviously there are a lot of guys in this draft
who ARE i think could be A falcon who could
absolutely be a really good player for. Him BUT i
Think Shamar, stewart with his, size his, length his, athleticism
(02:40):
can be the guy that can be that next great pass.
Rusher since a guy Like John abraham to turn the
corner for The Atlanta falcons in this, defense ad him With,
floyd ad him With Emma. Katie these are guys that
you can add to the. Fray you can, say you know,
What Shamar stewart is the next great pass rusher for
The Atlanta. Falcons so when you See Shamar stewart and you, know,
hey we drafted her number five. Team just no shock
(03:01):
toes you first and know That Shamar stewell will be
The falcons pick at number, fifteen rushing to PASSER Dobg
sacks on the.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Way rise, Up, hi, Guys tory.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Mclhaney, HERE i am the senior reporter for The Atlanta,
falcons and here is my pick for who The falcons
should pick at number fifteen. Overall, Honestly i'm trading out
of fifteen IF i. CAN i am a really big
proponent of the fact that The falcons only have five
total draft picks in the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl, draft
(03:32):
two of which are seventh. ROUNDERS i gotta get more,
picks So i'm gonna leverage the number fifteen overall, pick
AND i would ideally like to jump ahead of The
Green Bay packers at twenty. TWO i think that The
Green Bay packers are a team that is going to
want AN edg dresher cornerback potentially a defensive, tackle which
(03:54):
are all the things that The falcons want as. Well
so with the number fifteen pick in THE Nfl, draft
The Atlanta falcons are trading back to let's say anywhere
from eighteen to twenty, ONE i would accrue a couple
of extra draft, picks which would be important for. ME
i would want to get another SECOND i would really
like to get back into the third. ROUND i would
(04:16):
really like to get back into the fifth round as.
Well but you, Know i'll take WHAT i can. Get
IF i can get some MORE ammo in day, two
that's What i'm gonna. Take so that's What i'm gonna.
Do looking, now how things are gonna fall, thereafter or
HOW i think they're gonna. FALL i think that a
guy LIKE Mikel williams from The university Of georgia will
(04:37):
still be on the board between picks seventeen eighteen and
twenty one twenty, two so The falcons can fall and
trade back anywhere in those five or so picks before
you really get a run at the end of the
first round with ed drushers and defensive tackles that you
know The Kansas City chiefs are going to go, after
(04:57):
you know that The Detroit, Lions washington come out going
to go. After that's kind of the sweet spot for,
me AND i would Take Mikeel williams BECAUSE i think
that at that point in, time there is a good chance.
THAT i, MEAN i let's be, REAL i don't think
a guy Like Jayalen walker is going to be there
even at. FIFTEEN i think That Mike green is a
(05:18):
really really interesting and dynamic. Player BUT i think there's
also a possibility that me moving down out of, FIFTEEN
i would maybe lose my shot at getting someone like
A Mike green or even A Shamar. Stewart But Mikeel
williams is somebody WHO i think has the opportunity to
fall within that. Window that would be somebody The falcons
(05:38):
could really really. Value they spend a lot of time
at The university Of georgia over this past off, season
whether it be pro days or workouts For Jalen walker
And Mikeel. Williams he's a guy WHO i think is
his ceiling in his. FLOOR i feel LIKE i know
exactly what he is and how he can help this.
Team while also understanding that The falcons have even more
(06:00):
defensive needs that they need to go out in a,
crew which they would be able to do with this
hypothetical trade in acquiring more picks On day two And day.
Three so that's kind of WHY i lean towards this
scenario and WHY i lean Towards Michael williams. Specifically, now
why the edge rusher, group, well this position group IS i,
MEAN i don't need to tell you guys, this you already.
(06:22):
Know you know how much This falcons team needs more
of a presence off of the, edge and that is
something that If i'm PLAYING, Gm i'm putting very very.
Highly if you've watched Anything i've done over the last few,
YEARS i consistently have mocked an ed dresher to The
falcons in the first. ROUND i think this is finally
the year that that's going to be, right And i'm
really excited to see what could happen with a, real
(06:46):
true first round talent coming off of the edge for
The Atlanta. Falcons it's something they really really. Need AND
i think THAT i could make the argument to go
after a safety in the first, ROUND i could make
the argument to go after a corner in the first,
round BUT i do think there's still going to be
some opportunities down the road for you to get a
safety or a corner that could be impactful for what
(07:08):
you have on this team right. Now so that's kind
of HOW i got to this. Scenario i'm trading out of.
Fifteen i'm acquiring more, picks hopefully in Both day two
And day, three And i'm going to try and go
get an, edgdresher Particularly Mikel, williams WHO i think you
know exactly who he, is and you feel really good
(07:28):
about his floor and his ceiling and how he could
impact this team right. Now so that's What i'm doing
in the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
Draft Derek rackley here From Atlanta falcons Dot. Com The
Falcons attiwle presented BY at AND t and the Pregame,
show and with the fifteenth pick of the first round
in the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl, draft The Atlanta falcons
trade their selection And i'm going to say they trade
their selections with their selection with THE La chargers to
(07:57):
move back to twenty. Two chargers are going to move
up to try to get a receiver or a tight
end to go Alongside lad McConkey in that. Offense but
The Atlanta falcons are going to drop back in this
scenario to twenty, two and they're going to Select Mikel
williams out Of, georgia the edge rusher from The Georgia
bulldogs at six foot, five two hundred and sixty. Pounds
he's going to come in and bring a physical and
(08:19):
athletic presence to this. Defense thirty two and three eight
thirty four and three eighths inch. Arms he's going to
bring the ability to lock out offensive. Tackles he obviously
played through some injuries last, year WHICH i think you
could commend him because he could just have, said you know,
What i'm going to take it the season, Off i'm
going to get ready for The National Football. League but
(08:40):
he continued to work his way through it and showed
how much of a dynamic and explosive player he can
be in That Georgia bulldogs. Defense and what have we
seen over the past few years With georgia. Defenders they
have gone on to The National Football, league drafted extremely,
highly and quite a few of them went to The
Philadelphia eagles organization and found themselves when A Super. Bowl,
(09:01):
now why DID i make this? Selection, well for a
couple of. Reasons Atlanta falcons coming into this draft with
only five, selections, okay a, first a, second a, fourth
and two seventh round. Picks. Okay the last Time atlanta
only had five selections in a draft was all the
way back in two thousand and. SIX i feel like
this is a season That atlanta needs to bring in
(09:23):
more draft, assets more draft, capital meaning more reps at
the plate if you will on bringing in additional. Players
another thing to note in your, Division, carolina they've got nine.
Picks they're gonna make five selections Before atlanta makes their third.
Pick how About New orleans nine? Picks they have six
(09:43):
selections in the first four. Rounds what's the best way
to get to the postseason in The National Football league
by winning your? Division, okay you got two out of
the three other teams in your division that have a
number of selections in this. DRAFT i feel Like atlanta
needs to find a way to grab some more. SELECTIONS
i propose to trade with The, chargers dropping back to twenty.
(10:04):
Two it could be to, anybody somebody that's going to
be able to put together the right package to Give
atlanta more. Selections AND i still think there will be
a quality, player even if it ends up being in
the late twenties or even into the thirties of the first.
Round there might be An, ezeraku A pierce From tennessee
that's still available as an edge rusher that you can
(10:25):
get in the, twenties still improve your, defense but pick
up additional draft assets and find a way to bring
in more players in this. Organization but AS i mentioned my,
Scenario Atlanta falcons dropping back to twenty two selecting Mikel
williams out Of georgia and he is the next member
in the first round of The Atlanta falcons of the
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
Draft, Hi I'm Tarin walk AND i am The Atlanta
falcons digital routine. Reporter let's get to the fun. Part
with the fifteen pick in the twenty twenty FIVE Nfl,
draft The Atlanta falcons select Edge Donovan asraku From Boston.
College why this position group, specifically it is no secret
since the twenty twenty four season ended that The falcons
(11:07):
want to improve their pass. Rush The falcons were second
to last in the league last year in sacks with
thirty one, overall And donovan has a proven record of
being able to take down the. Quarterback he had the
second most, sacks not the second, fewest second most last
season in college football with sixteen and a. Half he
also had twenty and a half tackles for, loss which
(11:30):
led THE Acc he is The Ted Hendricks award winner
from twenty twenty, four which is given to the nation's
top defensive. End NEED i say, MORE i. WILL a
big thing that appeals me To donovan is because he
has such a well rounded. Resume he's, very very. Consistent
the proven production is there in the NUMBERS i have,
(11:52):
dropped along with other things like three force funbles throughout
his career in twenty twenty two and twenty twenty, four
he Has he's never had serious injuries in a sense
that he has started thirty six games straight to close
out his. Career he is a two year. Captain it's
just a little bit of everything that can be cultivated
at the next level very. Highly The falcons haven't had
(12:14):
someone with double digit sacks Since Vic beasley in twenty,
sixteen and he had fifteen and a. Half If donovan
is able to bring his sixteen and a half sacks To,
atlanta The falcons will be a very happy team when
it comes to their past rush in twenty twenty five and.
Beyond what's up.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Y'all will McFadden senior editor and staff writer here At
Atlanta falcons dot com and With falcons on The clock
at pick number. Fifteen you, know they entertained a few trade,
offers they tried to drum up some, interest but ULTIMATELY
i don't think that they'll be able to make it
work in the first. Round, now different conversation on day.
TWO i actually like them to maybe accrew a couple
(12:51):
of picks and trade back in the second round if
things break the right. Way but that's not what we're
here to. Discuss falcons around the. Clock we got some
business to handle at pick number, fifteen and with that,
pick The falcons are going to Take Mike, green the
edge rusher out Of, marshall and he is a fireball
coming off of the. Edge let me tell, you WHEN
i saw him at The Senior, bowl it was kind
(13:14):
of like something close to love for me in terms
of seeing the pass rusher who can do it. All
he can rush around the, arc he can run right
through an offensive, tackles face, mask and he can break
out a nice dip and, rip a nice little club.
Move he's got some tools in the. Bag so the
knocks Against Mike, green obviously the off field concerns. Right
(13:37):
he transferred out Of virginia following a sexual assault, allegation
but nothing more has really come of. That he denied
it himself at THE nfl. Combine he has said he
has been open and honest the entire step of the
way that people can dig in and that is what
The falcons and their staff have been. Doing and SO
i trust that if this is the, selection that they
(14:01):
will have done their due diligence and they will feel
comfortable with picking the. Player and so that is because
that is something THAT i don't have any information. About
i'm not an investigative researcher in that. LEVEL i have
to look at what they're getting on the, field and
on the field there's a lot to. Like you can
start with the seventeen sacks right last, Season Mike green
(14:22):
had more sacks than any other player in THE, fbs
and for a team that finished with the second fewest
sacks in the league last, season that would be a big.
BENEFIT i like what The falcons had built around the
player THAT i expect them to add kind of in
the draft to their pass. Rush they have a really
good supporting, cast Adding Leonard floyd this, offseason Getting Braylan trice,
(14:45):
back will see what he's able to. Bring and then
of Course Arnold abakatie taking kind of the step late
in the year that he did that is not bad
to work, with but you need that central. Figure and
we've been hearing a lot about The falcons looking at
their pass rush as a little bit of a basketball,
rotation and in that, SETTING i Think Mike green would.
Thrive he could be a high energy bring him in
(15:08):
to just change things, up throw a different, look And
he's got a lot of different looks to. Throw SO
i think that The falcons are kind of the right
makeup for a player like. HIM i like where their
defense is, headed and if they are able to add
a player Like Mike green here at, FIFTEEN i do
think it'll kind of take them over the top a little. Bit,
(15:31):
REGARDLESS i think edge rusher is the way The falcons
should go in the first. Round you can make an
argument for corner if they double dip in rounds one and,
Two edge and. Corner regardless of how they do, IT
i would be. HAPPY i think defense is going to
be the way that they need to. Go and ultimately
that is kind of HOW i arrived at this. Pick
and you could look at the length Of mike Hil,
williams you could look at the length and size of
(15:54):
A Shamar, stewart kind of the polish of A Donovan.
Azerraku there are a lot of good options At edgrusher
that The falcons will probably have on the board at pick,
Fifteen but for, me it's really just the combination of
kind of all of the different tools THAT i saw
From Mike green on display at one point or, another
combined with kind of A tasmanian devil type of. Demeanor
(16:16):
he just plays with his hair on, fire And i'm
always going to be drawn to a guy like. THAT
i just love WHAT i saw at The Senior. Bowl
MAYBE i can't shake. That Maybe i'm, biased but With Mike,
green if he is there on the board at pick number,
fifteen it's kind of an easy call for me to.
Make Sorry George bulldog, Fans i'm an alumni, myself But
i'm going With Mike green and The Marshall Thundering herd
(16:38):
this time around at pick number.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
Fifteen, hey this Is Dave artie The Atlanta Falconradio network
At Atlanta falcons Dot. Com i'm excited about the, draft
so let's get started with the fifteen pick of the
twenty twenty FIVE nfl. Draft The Atlanta falcons Select JOHN. A,
barren THE defensi, back AND i say defens you back
out Of, texas and that's WHY i selected. Him this
(17:02):
position group is one That atlanta needs to add some
depth or a, starter WHICH i think this guy will.
Be but he can play, corner he can play, nickel
and he can play. SAFETY i think he's got a
specific ability to play in the, slot specifically his ability
to play the nickel, area which is where he played
predominantly At. Texas Thorpe award winner for the top defensive
(17:23):
back of the. Country he had five interceptions a year,
ago eight interceptions over his three years as A texas.
Longhorn this is a guy that can play nickel quite
corner if you need him, to but he slides inside
and plays that nickel. Spot and for the most, part
sixty five seventy percent of the. Time sixty eight percent
of the, TIME i guess is the. Number you're a,
nickel meaning an extra rusher on the field and probably
an extra defensy. Back and this guy could maybe slide
(17:46):
from starting corner to inside once you go to, nickel
or he could just stay at the nickel spot the whole.
TIME i think this is one of those years where
you're gonna draft guys specific to what they, do And JOHN.
A barron is an expert playing on the. Interior Think Earl,
thomas the safety out Of texas that played in The
legion Of boone defense for The Seattle. Seahawks both came From.
(18:07):
Texas both are about five eleven five. Ten both ran
four to three under four to four at the. Combine
this kid can play all over the. PLACE i think
he's A day one starter and he has tremendous effect
on this. Defense JOHN. A barn out Of.
Speaker 7 (18:22):
Texas, hey, Guys taylor VIIs morris studio. HOST i do
pregame show all that fun. STUFF i do podcasts every
now and. Again so this year for the fit with
the fifteenth overall, PICK i think The Atlanta falcons will
be Taking mike Hel williams from The university Of. Georgia
so many of you guys know. Him root for him
On saturdays and hopefully we'll be able to cheer for
him On sundays for The Atlanta. Falcons this guy is six,
(18:45):
five two hundred and sixty five pounds coming into the.
Draft he ran a four to seven to seven forty
at THE Uga Pro. Day he is your prototype for
And Ed rosher like the just the stature that he,
has the build that he. Has he is a great
addresser based on his stature. Alone the thing that, matters,
though when you look down the line of how to
(19:07):
bring these players into your defense is do they work
with your defensive? Scheme AND i Think Mikel williams works
phenomenally With jeff ulbricks. Scheme, Yes Jeff ulbrick is a
four to three kind of defensive, coordinator but he came
in and he, said my main goal is to have
a multiplicity defense where we, run, yes four to, three
and we run three, fours but then we also run
(19:28):
some things that are three to four ish and four
to three, ish AND i need players to be able
to come in and plug and play and help wherever
we ask you to. Go Mikel williams has cross trained
across the entire defensive front in his time AT. Uga
if you know anything About Kirby smart and the way
that he brings players in and refines him at The
university Of, georgia you know that this, Player Mikel, williams
(19:50):
he comes in and he can be a plug and
play player Wherever Jeff ulbrick needs him on that defensive.
Front If Mikel, williams let's get, crazy let me get
on my so box really. Fast let's Say Mikel williams
And Shamar stuart are still left at like that twelve
ranch BECAUSE i do think there will be a run
of edge rushers at you, know the top three edg,
(20:12):
rushers AND i do think it will, be of Course Abdul.
CARTER i think it will Be Jalen, walker and THEN
i Think Mike green will be that third edge taken
from the edge. Group so If Mikel williams And Shamar
stewart are left over of the top five edge rushers
in this class at they're left at that twelve, spot
twelve thirteen, PICK i think The falcons have a really
(20:33):
good opportunity to trade down and get a little bit
more draft. Capital because there's only five picks that The falcons,
have two of which are seventh round. PICKS i know
that you guys already know, that but in order to
stock up this, defense you need more draft capital down the.
Line SO i think it would be it would behoove
The falcons to trade down If Mikel williams and If
(20:54):
Shamar stewart are still available at twelve, thirteen trade back.
Down you're probably going to be able to get one
of those guys if you trade back down to twenty
twenty one or twenty. Two that's with The, Broncos steelers And, chargers.
RESPECTIVELY i think either of these guys are great at
dressers that would work beautifully In Jeff ulbrick's. Scheme BUT
i think if you're looking at the fifteenth overall pick right,
(21:14):
NOW i Think Mikel williams from The university Of georgia
is your. Guy thanks, guys
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