In less than two months, the new leadership of the Atlanta Falcons will conduct their first draft with the franchise. While Atlanta's personnel will scour the country seeking the right players for the team, they understand there's plenty of talent right up the road.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham spoke highly about the Georgia football program in interviews with Fox 5's DJ Shockley. Stefanski and Cunningham are both new to Atlanta, but they are well aware of the talent that comes out of Athens on a yearly basis.
"[Those players are] tough. I mean, that's what Kirby's about. That's what that program is about," Stefanski told Chambers. "I'm excited. I'll be there at their Pro Day in March just to see it up close and personal. But you're getting a physically, mentally tough player when they're coming out of Georgia."
Cunningham echoed Stefanski's thoughts.
"They're usually pro ready, right?" Cunningham said. "What Coach Smart's done there is really impressive. It's not surprising based off, you know, his experience at Alabama and under Coach Saban. But those guys are pro ready. They've been coached hard, they're smart, they're disciplined, and they're tough mentally and physically."
Stefanski and Cunningham have experience working with former Bulldogs.
Stefanski coached Georgia running back Nick Chubb for five seasons, a stretch that included Chubb earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2022. The Browns also drafted former Georgia safety Richard LeCounte in 2021.
Cunningham's stint as the Chicago Bears' assistant general manager started in former Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith's final season with the franchise. Former Georgia running back D'Andre Swift played a key role on the 2025 Chicago team that won the division for the first time in seven years.
It's a new regime in Atlanta, but Georgia fans are hoping they will continue to show interest in former Georgia players.
The Falcons selected former Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Walker was the fourth Bulldog that the Falcons had drafted in four years, joining defensive lineman Zion Logue, Justin Shaffer, and John FitzPatrick. Atlanta has also gotten contributions from former Bulldogs such as Leonard Floyd, Charlie Woerner, and Lorenzo Carter in recent seasons.
Atlanta does not have a first-round pick in this year's draft after trading with the Los Angeles Rams last season. The Falcons traded back into the first round to acquire Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.. The Falcons' first pick in this year's draft will be in the second round at No. 48 overall.