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NFL free agency has been a mixed bag for the Atlanta Falcons. They’ve lost key contributors on both sides of the ball—most notably defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and center Drew Dalman, who both signed with the Chicago Bears. On the bright side, they added San Francisco defensive end Leonard Floyd, but that has been their biggest splash so far.
While more signings could still come, many Falcons fans are already shifting their focus to the 2025 NFL Draft, where Atlanta holds the No. 15 overall pick.
For several years now, there has been a widespread expectation that the Falcons will finally invest in a top-tier defensive player—particularly an edge rusher. But Atlanta has consistently kept fans guessing, often opting for offensive skill players instead. Last year was a prime example, as the team shocked everyone by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall despite already having Kirk Cousins.
Now, The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs believes the Falcons could once again throw a curveball by drafting offense, projecting them to select Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round.
“Matthew Golden was blazing in Indianapolis, helping build his argument to climb the wide receiver ranks. This pairing makes a ton of sense when you consider the Falcons already have a big-bodied threat in Drake London. Golden running the vertical routes for Michael Penix Jr., who was quite good pushing the ball downfield in college, has the makings of an explosive mix,” Crabbs wrote.
Even by Atlanta’s standards, this would be a surprising move. The Falcons didn’t send a single offensive assistant coach to the NFL Scouting Combine, instead focusing entirely on defensive prospects. While adding another receiver would certainly help Penix, it’s far from their biggest need—especially compared to their glaring holes along the defensive line and in the secondary.
Golden, however, does bring intriguing upside. In his lone season at Texas, he led the Longhorns in receiving with 987 yards and nine touchdowns, nearly matching the production he compiled over two seasons at Houston (988 yards, 13 touchdowns).
Pairing Golden with London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud III would give Penix another dangerous weapon, but given the Falcons’ pressing defensive needs, investing in another offensive playmaker at No. 15 seems unlikely—though with Atlanta, nothing is ever off the table.