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Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Season Preview

[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 NFL Preview Magazine.Order your copy today online or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]

The Atlanta Falcons will enter the Michael Penix Jr. era in 2025, and expectations are high for the 2024 first-round pick’s ascent to the starting quarterback role in Flowery Branch. Second-year head coach Raheem Morris and fifth-year general manager Terry Fontenot both voice glowing confidence in their second-year man, as his three starts last season showed the kind of quarterback play Atlanta has searched for since trading Matt Ryan in 2022.

However, the pressure is on for this Falcons regime to break a seven-season playoff drought and prove that Penix is the right guy to lead the franchise. If this team flounders in 2025, the results could be catastrophic for Morris and Fontenot as far as job security. If the team soars, Atlanta may win the NFC South and position itself as a meaningful contender for years to come. No pressure, right? In Penix they trust, and with Penix this team will sink or swim in 2025.

More NFL team previews

AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots

AFC North:Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers

AFC South:Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans

AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders

NFC East:Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants

NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings

NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints

NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks

Offense

Quarterback Kirk Cousins built momentum as the 2024 season went on, only to falter in November and eventually be yanked from the lineup for Penix. The 2024 first-rounder out of Washington will assume starting duties for a Falcons offense that looked much more lively and prolific with him behind center. Penix went 1-2 as a starter, but his two losses came in overtime when his team didn’t get the ball. While his game is still a work in progress, he flashed brilliance and exuded poise in his three starts. Overall, he threw for 775 yards with three touchdowns and three picks, though all of those turnovers arguably had much more to do with the receivers than the decisions Penix made. His floor is a solid starter, and his ceiling is top-10 quarterback. He showed both in his debut season.

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson

Bijan Robinson

Penix should allow Atlanta to run more play-action. Even if he isn’t a natural runner, he possesses much more situational mobility than Cousins. Penix can also make every throw on the field, and his aggressive rocket of an arm should make him a fan favorite immediately. Even though growing pains are to be expected, he’s already one of the most gifted pure passers in the NFL. His accuracy looked fairly improved, and he was able to attack the middle of the field much more than was schemed for him during his college days.

Penix won’t have to do it alone. Running back Bijan Robinson rushed for a whopping 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Robinson and Tyler Allgeier (644 yards, three TDs in 2024) might comprise the most lethal running back duo in the NFL outside of the Detroit Lions.

The wide receiver room once again features the electric Drake London, whose 1,271-yard, nine-touchdown 2024 season suggests he’ll be one of the most productive receivers in the NFL this year. His three-game connection with Penix was absolutely sensational. Darnell Mooney proved himself to be a free-agent steal with 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns last fall, while Ray-Ray McCloud III outperformed expectations with 686 yards and a touchdown. KhaDarel Hodge should man the fourth wideout spot, while 2024 draft pick Casey Washington, 2025 undrafted free agent Nick Nash and return specialist Jamal Agnew should battle it out for roster spots. Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner and free-agent acquisition Feleipe Franks are the top candidates at tight end.

On the offensive line, left tackle Jake Matthews, left guard Matthew Bergeron, right guard Chris Lindstrom and right tackle Kaleb McGary will all return to their starting posts. With center Drew Dalman leaving for the Chicago Bears, part-time 2024 starter Ryan Neuzil should assume that role.

Defense

The Falcons’ defense has undergone a major renovation with new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich overseeing operations. Atlanta’s biggest loss of the offseason was longtime defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who quickly signed with the Bears after the Falcons released him in March. Jarrett was the leader of the Falcons defense and its most senior member. Also gone are two splashy 2024 veteran additions, outside linebacker Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons. Both players had their moments, but neither quite performed to expectations.

The team has brought in plenty of help for its lethargic pass rush, the marquee additions being former San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and 2025 first-round picks Jalon Walker out of Georgia and James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee. The team will also get back 2024 third-round pick Bralen Trice, who missed all of his rookie year after tearing his ACL in the preseason. Those four players will join outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie and blitzing linebacker Kaden Elliss with the goal of transforming Atlanta’s edge unit from a longtime weakness to one that constantly gets after the quarterback.

Losing Jarrett was a blow to the defensive tackle room, but veteran David Onyemata looks to rebound from a down 2024. Two 2024 draft picks, Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus, also look poised to take on much bigger roles. Free-agent signee Morgan Fox, a former Los Angeles Charger, has been an effective pass-rusher in his career.

Elliss leads a linebacker group that also features former Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo, 2022 second-round pick Troy Andersen and 2024 fifth-round pick JD Bertrand. Andersen has flashed some outstanding play on the field when healthy, but he’s missed substantial time in 2023 and 2024. A healthy Andersen and Deablo living up to his new contract would go a long way in enabling this group bolster the middle of the defense. Walker will start his career as a pass-rusher, but he has experience dropping in coverage and playing off the ball.

The secondary looks very promising, as elite starters in cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. and safety Jessie Bates III are joined by a pair of 2025 draft picks — Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts and Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. Watts could contend right away for the strong safety spot next to Bates with free-agent acquisition Jordan Fuller and veteran DeMarcco Hellams, while Bowman looks to contend with cornerbacks Dee Alford and Clark Phillips III for the nickelback spot.

Mike Hughes re-signed to be the primary outside corner opposite Terrell after playing well in 2024. Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. rejoins the Falcons as a depth piece and a special teams ace.

Kicker Rankings Week 13: Younghoe Koo

Younghoe Koo

Specialists

Kicker Younghoe Koo struggled a bit in 2024 and missed time with a hip injury, which explains why the Falcons brought in international kicker Lenny Krieg in March. Those two will likely duke it out in camp, but a healthy Koo can absolutely keep his job. Punter Bradley Pinion and long-snapper Liam McCullough should return to their jobs without any competition.

Agnew looks to be the favorite at punt and kickoff returner, which will give him an inside track to a wide receiver spot on the roster.

Final Analysis

The Falcons are relying on a major youth movement to ascend to the top of the NFC South for the first time since the 2016 season. How all these young players coalesce with the proven veterans on the roster, and how Morris and his staff adapt in 2025, will determine where Atlanta’s season goes. Getting Penix settled in as a long-term starter and showing improvement on the defense would be huge wins.

Potential doesn’t always turn into production, but if the Falcons can develop their young players, we’ll be talking about this football team for years to come. The heat is on either way for Atlanta to start winning games. The future has to start now.