2025 NFL Team Preview Series
Welcome back to our 2025 NFL Team Preview Series, where we’ll dive deep into all 32 franchises ahead of the upcoming season. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a fantasy football manager, or just looking to get up to speed before kickoff, this series breaks down everything you need to know about each team’s trajectory.
For every team, we’ll cover:
- Coaching Staff & Philosophy – Who’s leading the charge, and what kind of system are they running?
- Offseason Recap – Key free-agent moves, trades, and draft picks that reshaped the roster.
- Schedule Breakdown – Matchups to watch, tough stretches, and projected win-loss record.
- Fantasy Football Preview – Players to target, sleepers to stash, and usage trends to monitor.
From Super Bowl contenders to rebuilding rosters, we’ll assess where each team stands and what lies ahead in 2025.
Next up is the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
Coaching Staff: Stability on Offence, Change on Defence
The 2025 season marks Year 2 of Raheem Morris’s second stint in Atlanta. And after laying a solid foundation in 2024, expectations are rising. Morris helped instill a tougher, more disciplined identity last season, improving the team’s overall competitiveness and culture—even if the record didn’t fully reflect the strides made. His leadership and Super Bowl pedigree continue to give the Falcons stability they’ve lacked in recent years.
On offense, Zac Robinson returns for his second year as coordinator and play-caller. A protégé of Sean McVay, Robinson brought a modern, motion-heavy system that emphasized timing, balance, and quarterback-friendly concepts. The scheme helped unlock Bijan Robinson as a dual-threat weapon and should continue to evolve with either Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix Jr. under centre. With another offseason to install and refine his system, Robinson’s offence is poised to take a significant step forward.
On the defensive side, Jeff Ulbrich takes over as coordinator following the departure of Jimmy Lake after one season. While Lake helped usher in modest improvements in 2024, the Falcons remained near the bottom of the league in sacks and QB pressures. Enter Ulbrich, who brings an aggressive mindset from his four-year run with the Jets, where he built one of the NFL’s top pass defences. His arrival signals a commitment to more front-seven disruption and a simplified, attack-minded approach that fits the talent Atlanta has accumulated on the edge.
2025 Offseason Recap: Prioritizing the Pass Rush
The Falcons entered the 2025 offseason with a clear objective: fix the pass rush. After finishing second last in the league in sacks in 2024, Atlanta aggressively addressed its biggest weakness. With defensive-minded head coach in Raheem Morris and a motivated front office, the Falcons prioritized adding proven edge talent and disruptive interior linemen to transform a defence that had long lacked bite.
Key Free-Agent Additions & Retentions:
- Leonard Floyd (EDGE) returned on a 1-year, $10M contract—rejoining the team after a strong run in San Francisco
- Morgan Fox (DT) added interior depth on a 2-year deal
- Mike Hughes (CB) secured a 3-year, $18M extension, continuing his primary role opposite A.J. Terrell in the secondary
- KhaDarel Hodge (WR/ST) re-signed for two years ($6M), aiming to contribute on both special teams and as a slot receiver
- Divine Deablo (LB) joined on a 2-year, $14M deal ($8M guaranteed), strengthening linebacker depth
- German kicker Lenny Krieg — an International Pathway Program alum — was signed to a 3-year deal after an impressive NFL Combine showing
Key Departures
- Grady Jarrett (DT) – Released after ten seasons and later signed with the Bears. His departure clears approximately $16.3 million in cap space
- Drew Dalman (C) – Signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears. He had been Atlanta’s starting center since 2022, known for his run-blocking prowess
- Lorenzo Carter (OLB) – Departed via free agency; his absence leaves a need for edge depth
- Ross Dwelley (TE) – Atlanta opted not to bring back the blocking specialist, focusing instead on Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner
- Antonio Hamilton Sr. (CB) – The veteran corner wasn’t re-signed despite solid special teams contributions
2025 NFL Draft Recap
The Falcons leaned heavily on defence in the draft, using the first four of their five total picks on the defensive side of the ball:
- Round 1, No. 15 – Jalon Walker (EDGE, Georgia)
A versatile edge/OLB from Georgia, Walker brings hybrid pass-rush potential and flexibility as a chess-piece defender. - Round 1, No. 26 – James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee)
Traded up using picks No. 46 and No. 242 (plus 2026 1st) to land Pearce, a dynamic sack artist with a 4.4s 40-yard dash—words from Atlanta: “true pressure player”. - Round 3, No. 96 – Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
Traded up from No. 101, Atlanta grabbed the instinctive safety who posted 13 collegiate interceptions over his last two seasons. - Round 4, No. 118 – Billy Bowman Jr. (S, Oklahoma)
A box/nickel safety known for downhill speed and special-teams potential. - Round 7, No. 218 – Jack Nelson (OT, Wisconsin)
A durable, versatile offensive tackle who adds to the team’s line depth; split snaps all across the O-line in college.
The Falcons passed on several mid-round picks (RS 5 forfeited; 2nd, 6th, and additional 7ths traded away).
Key Draft Storyline: Why Atlanta Traded Up for James Pearce Jr.
The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2025 NFL Draft with one goal in mind: fix the pass rush. Years of underwhelming edge play made it a top priority, and they wasted no time addressing it by selecting Georgia’s Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall.
Then came the surprise move.
Just 11 picks later, Atlanta traded up from No. 46 to No. 26—sending a 2026 first-round pick and a seventh-rounder to the Buccaneers—to land Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., one of the most explosive edge rushers in the class.
Why the big swing?
Despite progress under defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, Atlanta still finished in the bottom five in sacks and quarterback pressures last season. Head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot sent a clear message: that’s no longer acceptable.
Walker adds speed, range, and versatility. Pearce brings elite burst, bend, and proven SEC production. The cost was steep, but for a team that wants to contend now, the upside was worth it.
With Walker and Pearce in the fold, Lake has the tools to build a far more disruptive front—one that could finally turn Atlanta’s long-standing weakness into a strength.
Final Draft Thought
The Falcons made a statement: pressure wins games. Walker and Pearce might be the foundation for a defence that can finally close them, and complementing those pass rushers with the fortification of the defensive backfield should make the Falcons much harder to throw against in 2025.
Offseason Summary
The 2025 offseason focused once again, on fortifying the defence. With notable free-agent signings in the front seven and secondary—and a defence-heavy draft class combining high-upside edge rushers (Walker, Pearce) and versatile safeties—the Falcons are pivoting towards a defensive identity. Offensive additions were modest, but after spending high draft capital on offence over the last few years, they theoretically have the pieces already in place on that side of the ball.
Atlanta Falcons 2025 Schedule Breakdown & Win-Loss Projection
With a revamped defence and high hopes for their young quarterback, the Falcons enter 2025 looking to climb the NFC South standings. The schedule includes five prime-time games and a tough international match abroad, making early victories and consistency vital.
Weeks 1–4: Opening Stretch
- Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings (SNF)
- Week 3: at Carolina Panthers
- Week 4: vs. Washington Commanders
Outlook: A balanced start with home-field advantage in the opener, followed by a Sunday night test in Minnesota and a key divisional rematch on the road.
Prediction: 2–2
Weeks 5–9: Midseason Build
- Week 5: BYE
- Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills (MNF)
- Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers (SNF)
- Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins
- Week 9: at New England Patriots
Outlook: Facing Buffalo and San Francisco in primetime is a tall task. But matchups with Miami and New England offer winnable opportunities.
Prediction: 1–3 (Overall: 3–5)
Weeks 10–13: International Week & Prime-Time
- Week 10: at Indianapolis Colts (Berlin, 9:30 AM ET)
- Week 11: vs. Carolina Panthers
- Week 12: at New Orleans Saints
- Week 13: at New York Jets
Outlook: An early 10 a.m. start in Germany disrupts routines. Divisional home and away games will test consistency down the stretch.
Prediction: 2–2 (Overall: 5–7)
Weeks 14–18: Final Push
- Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Week 15: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Thurs. night)
- Week 16: at Arizona Cardinals
- Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Rams (MNF)
- Week 18: vs. New Orleans Saints
Outlook: A mix of challengers and winnable game scenarios with three home fixtures, including two prime-time showdowns.
Prediction: 2–3
Final Record Prediction: 7–10
Atlanta faces a challenging schedule that includes five primetime games and an international trip to Berlin. A seven-win season would signify steady growth, though finishing just shy of .500 is most realistic given the roster’s trajectory.
Final Take: Year Two of the Rebuild, But With Real Expectations
Atlanta is no longer in a holding pattern. With a stable coaching staff, a retooled defence, and a clear vision under Raheem Morris, the Falcons are poised to make real strides in 2025. The quarterback situation will define the ceiling—whether it’s the veteran steadiness of Kirk Cousins or the live arm of Michael Penix Jr., the offence must match the defence’s renewed urgency.
The Falcons may not be a finished product, but they at least have a road map to contention in place. They’re a team built to compete in a winnable division, and while a 7–10 record may suggest only incremental improvement, the pieces are in place for a breakout if the pass rush delivers and the offence avoids injuries.
A wild card berth isn’t out of the question if things click early. But even if they fall short, the foundation is stronger than it’s been in years—and that’s progress worth watching.
-Devon Gallant
Twitter: @DevGallant
Photo: Atlanta Falcons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.