Coming off their seventh straight season without a playoff appearance or a winning record, the Atlanta Falcons are entering an extremely important month. It starts at the NFL Scouting Combine where they have to decide what to do with Kirk Cousins and begin building around new franchise quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
But while getting a young quarterback into the starting role is exciting, it comes with a challenge. The Falcons could eat as much as $65 million in dead cap if they decide to release Kirk Cousins before a $10 million roster bonus is due on March 17, Atlanta still needs to fill holes if they want to compete in the NFC South.
Sitting $4.9 million over the salary cap, this is difficult before their final decision on Cousins. It makes the upcoming NFL Draft their best chance at improving their roster heading into next season and the Falcons may have tipped their hand at how they’re planning to make that happen.
Falcons Going All-In On Defense at NFL Scouting Combine
According to Zach Klein of WSB in Atlanta, the Falcons have conducted 45 one-on-one interviews with defensive prospects at this week’s scouting combine in Indianapolis. That seems like a large number on its own, but it is downright massive considering teams are allowed a total of 45 interviews with all prospects at the combine.
Klein also reports that the Falcons' assistant coaches also made the trip to Indianapolis, signaling an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball.
Atlanta Falcons are 💯 on defense at NFL Combine:
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) February 25, 2025
*Allowed 45.. 1-on-1 interviews... all 45 with defensive players ✅
*Falcons Assistant coaches in Indy? Everyone is on defensive side of the ball ✅
Investing in the defense would be a wise move for the Falcons in this year’s draft. Atlanta ranked 23rd in scoring defense and tied for the 11th-highest yards per play average at 5.5 last season, but their biggest issue was getting to the quarterback. The Falcons' 20% pressure rate ranked 25th, and only the New England Patriots (28) had fewer sacks than Atlanta’s 31 last season.
This also aligns with one of the strengths of the draft. The defensive tackle position has been highly praised heading into Indianapolis, with nearly double the number of interior defenders invited to this year’s combine compared to last year’s numbers.
It signals a need even if the Falcons find a way to retain Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata this offseason, as both players were ineffective and entering their age-32 seasons. With a need for change, Raheem Morris and his staff appear to be doing the right thing as they prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft.