The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2025 NFL Draft needing to find an edge rusher to disrupt opposing offenses and Raheem Morris can't be happier with how things played out.
Former University of Georgia standout Jalon Walker slipped to No. 15 overall and the Falcons were quick to happily snatch him up. Walker had been projected to be in the mix to go as high in the draft as No. 4 overall to the New England Patriots, so to land a prospect of his caliber at No. 15 is as big of a win as there can be for Atlanta.
Conversely, this is a huge blow for the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints as the Falcons NFC South rivals' have to be envious of this addition for different reasons.
For Carolina, the Panthers were considered to be one of the main contenders to take Walker with the No. 8 overall pick before they ultimately elected to select a wide receiver (Tetairoa McMillan) to give Bryce Young an additional weapon on the outside. The team also had a need for a playmaker at the linebacker position so passing on Walker was a choice their fan base will have to live with.
On the Saints side of things, nothing is really going well in the Big Easy these days. And for a team with an uncertain situation at the quarterback position, seeing a defender the caliber of Walker be someone your team has to game plan for twice a season, and for years to come, cannot be a welcomed thought for New Orleans' offensive coaching staff.
While those teams, and their respective fan bases, can now deal with nightmares of Walker blowing up their offensive lines and disrupting plays in the backfield, Raheem Morris and the Falcons faithful will sleep good knowing a big-time defender is on the way.