On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is often lauded for his patience -- but when it comes to building a better defense, he may be running out of it.
The 82-year-old Blank has owned the Falcons since 2002. He's seen his team's defense finish in the top 10 in both points and yards allowed once in that span, coming in 2017. Atlanta's defense has been top 10 in scoring four times and only once in yards allowed.
Led by first-year defensive coordinator, the Falcons are trying to build on a unit that finished last season ranked 23rd in both scoring and total defense and second-to-last in sacks with 31.
And after a free agency period marred by a lack of financial resources netted cost-effective but unspectacular signings, Atlanta is eyeing the 2025 NFL draft to further aid its efforts.
The Falcons' focus? In Blank's eyes, it's not a question.
"The emphasis during the draft will be certainly on our defensive side of the ball," Blank said Tuesday at the NFL owners meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. "Pretty obvious to everybody."
Atlanta only has five draft picks, but the number "could end up more than that," said Blank, who added "you just never know."
The Falcons own a pair of picks inside the top 50 -- they're slated to choose No. 15 overall in the first round and No. 46 overall in the second frame -- but won't be on the clock again until No. 118 overall in the fourth round. Atlanta also has two seventh-round picks at No. 218 and No. 242 overall.
The Falcons traded their third-round pick to the New England Patriots for outside linebacker Matthew Judon in mid-August, and they lost their fifth-round pick for tampering with quarterback Kirk Cousins, receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner in free agency of 2024.
Atlanta dealt its sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for receiver Van Jefferson in a trade during the 2023 season.
The Falcons entered free agency with questions along their defensive front and at nickel corner, strong safety and linebacker. Edge rusher Leonard Floyd, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal, is Atlanta's only free agent addition with a cap hit greater than $5 million in 2025.
Safety Jordan Fuller and linebacker Divine Deablo provide short-term options for the Falcons' defense, affording Atlanta at least some flexibility in the draft.
And while the Falcons know they need more help, Blank believes free agency went well given the team's "limited amount of cap space" entering the signing period.
"I think the football ops folks, coaches, etc., did a good job reassessing how to extend some players to free up some cap dollars," Blank said. "We picked up as many players as we could. We picked up some good ones. A lot of it, you pick up players, and then a big part of the job is what the coaches do with them in the system.
"So, we have players that play someplace else, they come here and suddenly they become even better maybe in another system. So, I feel like we did a really good job, as much as we could."
The Falcons have a similarly small number of resources at their disposal entering the draft, and even after their signings, their goal remains the same: building a better defense than the one that walked off the field after Week 18 last season.
More must-reads:
- Buccaneers' chances of upsetting Rams take massive hit due to illness in locker room
- Michael Penix Jr.'s partially torn ACL complicates Falcons' future
- The 'NFL single-game completions leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Packers Receive Disappointing Injury News Before Vikings Matchup
Jayden Reed’s anticipated return to the practice field for the Green Bay Packers will have to wait a little longer. Despite some growing hope earlier this week that the dynamic wide receiver could begin the next phase of his recovery, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Reed will not open his 21-day practice window yet. “He’s not practicing today,” LaFleur said ahead of Sunday’s critical matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. When pressed for a clearer timeline on the second-year standout, who remains on injured reserve with collarbone and foot injuries, LaFleur deferred to the medical staff. “I don’t know. As soon as medical clears him, he’ll be out there,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s excited to get back. As am I.” The optimism had spiked in recent days. On Monday, LaFleur indicated there was a chance Reed and/or rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd could start their practice windows this week. Reed himself fueled the excitement Tuesday by sharing a photo of himself dressed in full uniform on social media. Those plans, however, are now on hold. Reed’s surgically repaired foot seems to have healed satisfactorily, but the collarbone—fractured on a diving attempt during the first half of Green Bay’s Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders—still needs additional time. For a wide receiver whose job involves regular physical contact and the risk of landing hard on the shoulder, the medical staff is requiring clear imaging evidence that the bone is strong enough before green-lighting a return. The cautious approach echoes the Packers’ handling of Aaron Rodgers’ similar collarbone injury in 2017, when the former quarterback sat out seven games while waiting for full healing. Nearly 10 weeks removed from the injury and having already missed eight contests, Reed could still require another one to two weeks before doctors are comfortable clearing him for football activities. That timeline keeps a potential return for the Thanksgiving night clash with the Detroit Lions or the following week against the Chicago Bears realistically in play. Before the injury, Reed had established himself as Green Bay’s top receiving weapon. He paced the team in receiving yards in both 2023 and 2024, and in the two games he played this season while managing the foot issue, he recorded three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Green Bay Packers will continue their Week 12 preparations without their leading wideout on the practice field, with LaFleur and the organization prioritizing full recovery over a rushed comeback.
Cowboys Announce Trevon Diggs News After Four Missed Games
Trevon Diggs watched on as Brian Schottenheimer and the Dallas Cowboys ended a two-game skid, defeating Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders 33-16 in Week 11's edition of "Monday Night Football." Now, the Cowboys improve to 4-5-1 on the 2025 NFL season with a Week 12 NFC East matchup on the horizon against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ten games into the regular season, the Cowboys have fielded one of the NFL’s worst defenses, allowing 378.7 total yards per game, 30th in the league, and a league-worst 258.7 passing yards. With the unit struggling, Jerry Jones decided it was time for upgrades, acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson at the trade deadline. The team also welcomed back linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who had been recovering from a knee injury. With the reinforcements arriving for the Raiders matchup, the defense delivered its best performance of the season, allowing just 236 total yards, including only 27 on the ground. Despite the impressive outing, Dallas was still without one of its top defenders, as Diggs remained sidelined. Ahead of the Cowboys’ Week 7 win over the Washington Commanders, Diggs was ruled out after suffering a concussion in an accident at home. The following week, he was placed on injured reserve while also dealing with a separate knee injury. He has missed Dallas’ last four games, during which the team went 2-2. Diggs won't be able to make his return until the Thanksgiving matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, meaning he will be out against the Eagles. But on Wednesday, Schottenheimer had a positive update to share on his Pro Bowl cornerback. "Brian Schottenheimer says that Solomon Thomas is 'making progress' and with Trevon Diggs, 'all signs are that he's doing everything he's supposed to do,'" Cowboys reporter Tommy Yarrish wrote on X. "#Cowboys are doing walkthroughs today, so they'll know more on the injury front tomorrow." The Cowboys will take on the Eagles on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at AT T Stadium.
No. 4 Arizona accomplishes rare feat in thrilling road win over No. 3 UConn
The fourth-ranked Arizona Wildcats are putting a strong resume together and it is just the third week of the college basketball season. After riding freshman Koa Peat's sensational debut to an opening-night win over then-No. 3 Florida, the Wildcats added another impressive win on Wednesday night with a 71-67 victory at No. 3 UConn. Although Arizona led by as many as 13 in the second half, a 17-5 run from the Huskies made it a one-point game with 4:41 to play. UConn even held a 64-63 lead with just over a minute to play before Arizona took charge and accomplished something rarely seen in the sport. Arizona joins exclusive list after latest win over top-three opponent According to ESPN's Jeff Borzello, Arizona (5-0) is just the third team in AP poll history to have multiple wins over top-three opponents in its first five games of the season and the first since Kansas in the 1989-90 season (h/t ESPN Research). As Borzello noted, UConn was without leading scorer Tarris Reed Jr., who was sidelined with an ankle injury. While that certainly was a tough break for UConn in a top-five matchup, Arizona still had to take advantage and it did just that. Although the Wildcats were terrible from long-range (2-of-10), they outrebounded the Huskies, 43-23, and outscored them, 42-24, in the paint. Senior guard Jaden Bradley led the way with 21 points (6-of-13 FG), including this clutch layup to extend Arizona's lead to three with 16.3 seconds left. The freshman Peat was not far behind with 16 points (7-of-14 FG) and 12 rebounds as Arizona appeared to be the aggressor for much of the game. Arizona continues to ace tough nonconference schedule Wednesday night marked the third of five scheduled ranked matchups prior to the start of Big 12 play. Along with wins over Florida and UConn, the Wildcats also took down then-No. 15 UCLA, 69-65, on Friday. The schedule lets up through the end of November, but back-to-back games against No. 22 Auburn (Dec. 6) and No. 11 Alabama (Dec. 13) will provide two more tests for Arizona before a grueling Big 12 slate takes shape in January. Arizona may not be the top team in the country at the moment, but if it continues to pile up signature wins and handle tough road environments like it did on Wednesday night, it will only strengthen its case.
Kelley Earnhardt Signals Real NASCAR Cup Series Ambitions as Denny Hamlin Lawsuit Delays JRM’s Big Decision
JR Motorsports’ Daytona dreams are starting to look like more than just a one-off adventure. Following Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s confirmation that the team will return to the 2026 Daytona 500, co-owner Kelley Earnhardt Miller has hinted that JRM could be inching toward a full-time NASCAR Cup Series entry, but they are not ready to dive in headfirst just yet. With the ongoing charter lawsuit between NASCAR and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing (and Front Row Motorsports), which is reshaping the sport’s business landscape, Miller is keeping her cards close to her chest while quietly eyeing the future. The team’s Cup debut earlier this year was an undeniable success. Justin Allgaier, driving the No. 40 Chevrolet, impressed the field with a top-10 finish in the Great American Race. But despite that strong showing, Kelley remains grounded. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, she emphasized the importance of patience. “I think everybody’s kind of in the same boat right now, just watching to see how things play out with the lawsuit and where things head, before doing anything crazy. So, always still looking at opportunities and what that looks like, and the Daytona 500, it’s kind of a race your way in.” For JRM, competing at Daytona is a strategic move. Financially, it’s the biggest stage in stock car racing, offering prime exposure for partners and sponsors. So, competing in the Daytona 500 race just makes a lot of sense. Beyond Daytona, however, the roadmap remains uncertain. “We’ll have to figure out if anything else will make sense and how this goes, and just continue to watch the landscape in the Cup Series and what the Charters are doing and all that to see where we end up.” While JRM’s Cup ambitions remain a work in progress, the organization continues to thrive in the Xfinity Series, where it’s made its name. The team is fielding four full-time cars next year, along with a part-time program in collaboration with Trackhouse Racing’s drivers, a setup that keeps JRM’s workshop buzzing. “What we’re doing business-wise is great,” she said, but admitted that the Cup Series is still the ultimate goal. From a legacy standpoint, the move feels inevitable. The Earnhardt family name is woven into the DNA of the sport, and Miller knows what a full-time Cup entry would mean for that heritage. She understands that it would be really cool for JRM as a team to experience, but the right opportunity just hasn’t come forward yet. For now, JRM is content to bide its time, playing the long game while the charter case unfolds. But when the right door opens, Dale Jr. and Kelley will be ready to walk through it, carrying the Earnhardt legacy back to NASCAR’s highest stage.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
