The Atlanta Falcons had one of their best drafts in recent memory last month, despite having five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons addressed their defensive line with their first two selections and the secondary with their next two picks.
Atlanta carried its momentum into the undrafted free-agent period following the draft, signing wide receiver Nick Nash and cornerback Cobee Bryant, who could’ve easily been selected in Day 3 of the draft.
The Falcons’ front office and scouting department did a great job identifying talent they hope will pay huge dividends as soon as possible.
However, Atlanta is losing one of its key members in its scouting department. According to Neil Stratton, Joel Collier is reportedly moving on after spending nine years with the team in various pro and college roles.
After 9 years w/the #Falcons during which he served in pro & college roles, Joel Collier is moving on. He’s spent time in coaching & scouting posts for the #Chiefs (as AGM), #Patriots, #Dolphins & #Buccaneers, working on both sides of the ball during a 30+ year career in the…
— Neil Stratton (@InsideTheLeague) May 12, 2025
Collier joined the Falcons as their director of pro personnel in February 2016. Before his time in Atlanta, he spent five seasons as the assistant general manager with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also had two stints with the New England Patriots, coaching on both sides of the ball.
Collier also spent 11 seasons with the Miami Dolphins as a position coach (running back and assistant linebacker). He started with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990 as an offensive assistant.
The former Chiefs assistant GM didn’t spend a long time in the DPP role, as the Falcons hired long-time scout Shepley Heard in May 2019. With Heard taking over the director role, Atlanta moved Collier into a national scout role.
Therefore, with Collier leaving the organization, Atlanta must find a quality replacement who has a stellar NFL resume that could step in as a national scout.
It won’t be easy filling the void of a person who had scout, general manager, and coaching experience over multiple decades. However, that will be next on general manager Terry Fontenot’s offseason checklist before the 2025 college football season begins.