It’s never too early to think about next year. Hell, the Falcons even showed that in this year’s draft when they selected Michael Penix Jr, who very well might not take a meaningful snap for 2-3 years because the Falcons also just signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal.
It was a head-scratching decision by an organization most known for making head-scratching decisions. However, in PFF’s way too early mock draft for 2025, the Falcons go in the direction most expected them to go this year, taking the top edge rusher left on the board, Abdul Carter out of Penn State.
22. ATLANTA FALCONS: EDGE ABDUL CARTER, PENN STATE
Atlanta took a high-quantity approach to their defensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft. In 2025, they could add a dynamic pass rusher like Penn State’s Abdul Carter. Carter earned a 90.3 pass-rush grade as an off-ball linebacker, but he will move to the edge this season. Comparisons to Micah Parsons will be plentiful over the next year.
Though the Falcons ignored their pass rush all offseason and in the first round of the draft, they attempted to make amends with their picks in rounds 2-4, grabbing three defensive lineman. If they nail those selections, nobody is going to look back and be up in arms about the Penix selection.
However, even if all three do turn out to be significant contributors as rookies, this is an edge room that still needs multiple bodies. An argument could be made that the Falcons have the worst pass rush in the league right now, and it’s the one thing preventing them from being considered legitimate contenders. Carter, who has 17 tackles for loss and 11 sacks combined over the last two seasons for Penn State, would go a long way in giving Atlanta a more formidable group off the edge.
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