The offseason is an exciting time for football fans — especially those who are looking forward to the 2025 NFL draft. While Atlanta Falcons fans are also pumped for this year's draft, it's shaping up to be a quiet three-day experience for general manager Terry Fontenot, who only has four selections at his disposal.
Whether they have four or seven selections to make, it isn't a secret that the Falcons must be better at drafting this time around. To put things into perspective, running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and offensive guard Chris Lindstrom are the only players that Atlanta has drafted since 2017 who've gone on to receive Pro Bowl or All-Pro first-team honors.
If the Falcons want to buck that trend, they must sign a well-respected scouting talent who just hit the unemployment line.
Falcons Must Hire Champ Kelly to Scouting Department
On Monday, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Las Vegas Raiders and assistant general manager Champ Kelly have mutually agreed to part ways. Kelly had spent three seasons in Sin City, which includes when he was briefly promoted to interim GM in 2023.
The #Raiders and assistant GM Champ Kelly have mutually agreed to part ways, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 17, 2025
New GM John Spytek is making over the front office and Kelly, the onetime Raiders interim GM, will pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Kelly is an experienced executive who's spent nearly the last two decades working in various NFL scouting-related roles.
The Campbellton, FL native's journey began as a college scout for the Denver Broncos in 2007. It only took Kelly that one season to impress the Broncos front office enough to be promoted to assistant coordinator of pro and college scouting the following season. He held that role for two years before being named assistant director of player personnel in 2010.
Kelly left the Mile High City in 2015, opting to join the Chicago Bears as the director of pro scouting. The Bears drafted a handful of Pro Bowlers during his Windy City run, which includes the likes of Cody Whitehair, Jordan Howard, and Eddie Jackson.
Interestingly enough, Chicago is where Kelly met Ryan Pace, the Falcons' current vice president of football operations/player personnel. Pace was the Bears GM (2015-21) when Kelly was hired, so if anyone knows what the latter is capable of in a draft room, it's the Atlanta exec.
A potential reunion could foster draft success that Atlanta hasn't seen in nearly a decade.
Kelly has the experience and draft IQ that NFL teams covet, and the Falcons shouldn't be an exception. They desperately need to figure out how to consistently find difference-making prospects again, and bringing in the veteran draft guru would bring the Falcons one step closer to achieving that goal.