Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons selected Notre Dame S Xavier Watts with the No. 96 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Xavier Watts is a high-motor safety who plays with intensity and physicality on every snap. His aggressive playstyle, combined with quick reactions and ability to stop ball carriers in their tracks, makes him an impactful defender. Watts has shown consistent effort and toughness, contributing both in coverage and against the run.

Watts exhibits a solid backpedal and quick footwork, allowing him to maintain cushion and leverage in coverage. He transitions well on short and intermediate routes but displays tightness in his midsection, limiting his change of direction and lateral quickness. While he has good control, his awareness in zone coverage is average, sometimes leaving him covering space rather than immediate threats.

Watts shines as a run defender. He triggers quickly, aggressively coming downhill to the ball, and tackles with physicality. His ability to stop ball carriers with minimal yards after contact is notable. However, his lack of elite speed may lead to overextension on the edge, limiting his effectiveness when running the alley.

Xavier Watts projects as a late first-round pick with the potential to be a year-one starter. His toughness and aggressiveness make him an ideal fit for teams looking for a physical safety who can play close to the line of scrimmage. If he can improve his change of direction and awareness in coverage, Watts has the potential to develop into a versatile and reliable safety.

MEASUREMENTS

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 203

POSITIVES

— High motor player who plays every snap at full speed and maximum intensity.

— Good backpedal and quick feet to keep cushion and leverage. Displays control with quick transitions on intermediate and short routes.

— Triggers quickly to the run, screaming downhill to the ball. See ball, get ball.

— Physical tackler who runs through the point of attack, fronts up ball carriers and stops momentum.

NEGATIVES

— Shows some tightness in his midsection, paired with subpar change of direction and lateral movement skills.

— Can get over-extended with speed on the edge. Lacks the desired speed to run the alley.

— Average awareness for threats in his zone, can ultimately lead to him covering space at times.

NOTES

— Born Nov. 22, 2001

— 4-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2023: Bronko Nagurski Trophy; Unanimous All-American

GRADE: 7.9 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 27

POSITION RANK: S2

PRO COMPARISON: Landon Collins

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

The Atlanta Falcons selected Georgia LB Jalon Walker with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Jalon Walker is one of the most interesting draft prospects in this year's class, primarily because he played a few different positions in college, and his best spot at the next level is a bit of a question.

As an off-ball linebacker, Walker's speed and athleticism give him plenty of potential to be good in coverage. He has the change of direction to stay in phase against tight ends and running backs on choice routes in man coverage. When playing zone, he shows decent eye discipline for someone new to the position that an NFL coaching staff can work with.

As a pass-rusher, the Georgia product is explosive off the ball to win with speed around the edge and has good bend to turn at a tight corner at the top of the rush. He's also shown flashes of winning with hand-swipe and long-arm moves, but he relies more on winning with his natural gifts than being a technician with several moves in his arsenal.

Against the run, Walker takes on blocks with his hands and shows good strength at the point of attack to hold his ground against most offensive linemen. That helps him set the edge or stay in his gap when playing as an off-ball linebacker.

However, he does have a habit of taking on blocks square instead of half the man which can cause him issues when trying to escape.

Walker's biggest issues are tied to his instincts, which stem from his lack of experience and playing several different positions. He often looks like he's thinking too much and can take a second to process information. However, he has started to show growth in the mental part of the game and can be a very good defender when he becomes more instinctual.

With that, the Bulldog is a high-ceiling but low-floor type of player. His potential is enormous, as he could be a versatile defender who impacts the game in several ways, but he also runs the risk of struggling to find a true position in the NFL. Whatever team drafts Walker, he will need to have a plan for his development and will be taking a gamble, but the payoff could be high.

MEASUREMENTS AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 243

HAND: 10¼”

ARM: 32"

WINGSPAN: 79⅞” 

POSITIVES

– Good size and frame for an NFL linebacker with impressive movement skills as well.

– Versatile defender who has been used on the edge and as an off-ball linebacker.

– Has the speed and athleticism to be effective in man coverage against running backs and tight ends.

– In zone coverage, he shows decent eye discipline for someone new to playing off-ball linebacker and uses his hands to get reroutes.

– Against the run, he takes on blocks with his hands, good knee bend and a sturdy base.

– Shows decent strength at the point of attack to hold his ground and avoid getting pushed around by offensive linemen in the running game.

– When playing on the edge, he has good acceleration to win with speed and impressive bend to turn a tight corner at the top of the rush.

– Has flashed solid hand-swipe and long-arm moves he can win with as a pass-rusher.

NEGATIVES

– Inexperienced overall, didn't make his first college start until this past season and was primarily used as third-down edge-rusher his first two years at Georgia.

– Lack of experience playing off-ball linebacker shows up in his instincts against the run. He's often late to key and diagnose run plays and looks like he might be thinking too much.

– Takes on blocks from offensive linemen square instead of getting on an edge which leads to him getting stuck on blocks.

– Will be late to pick up his man when pattern matching in coverage.

NOTES

– 4-star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

– Injuries: 2023 (Offseason shoulder surgery labrum, missed spring practices)

GRADE: 8.1 (Year 1 Starter– Late 1st-Early 2nd)

OVERALL RANK: 11

POSITION RANK: LB1

PRO COMPARISON: Kyle Van Noy

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the team and quarterback Kirk Cousins are in a "good place" amid his uncertain future with the franchise after he was benched for then-rookie Michael Penix Jr. last December.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank explains where things stand between QB Kirk Cousins and the team. Good stuff from the NFL League meetings. From The Insiders on NFL Network. pic.twitter.com/klt1bCyrYq

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 2, 2025

Blank spoke with NFL Network's Steve Wyche on the matter in Palm Beach, Florida, home of this week's NFL owners' meetings.

Blank said Cousins asked to speak with him, and the two talked for "about an hour." He told Cousins that he was there to listen and even took five pages of notes, interjecting at times to provide thoughts "from a franchise standpoint." Blank added that it couldn't have been a more cordial and respectful talk.

He also added: "I think it created, you know, clarity about what he hoped for and what his views were and what happened and why it happened, etc. So I think we're, you know, we're in a good place and if he ends up our backup quarterback, we have the best in the National Football League, which is always a good thing, and if we end up making a different decision, we'll move on."

It's clear Blank has great respect for Cousins, who he said "couldn't be more of a gentleman." He also added that Cousins wants to be a free agent so he can have a chance to play, but Blank also noted that he's under contract.

The Falcons and Cousins agreed to a four-year, $180 million deal ($100 million guaranteed) last offseason. He threw 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first nine games (6-3 record) before tossing just one score and nine picks in his final five (1-4). That led to a benching for Penix.

It's a new era in town, but it's unclear what Cousins' status will be. He doesn't want to be the backup, but a trade could very well be possible.

Atlanta also notably owes him a $10 million roster bonus for 2026 since it kept him on the roster past a 4 p.m. ET deadline on March 15.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic, on the Scoop City podcast, threw out the possibility of the Cleveland Browns adding him.

Based on the conversations I've been hearing, it would not be surprising to see Kirk Cousins end up in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/bqZ1PZi4AJ

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 1, 2025

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters at owners' meetings Tuesday that Atlanta would look into trading Cousins if the opportunity came about.

For now, though, Cousins is QB2 on the Falcons' depth chart as Atlanta moves forward with Penix as the starter.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris isn't shutting the door on a Kirk Cousins trade, but he also believes the veteran quarterback would be willing to remain with the team in a backup role.

Speaking to reporters from the NFL league meetings on Tuesday, Morris said the Falcons would be open to exploring a trade of the 36-year-old if the opportunity presented itself.

Morris went on to say the two sides have had positive conversations and there's confidence Cousins would return to the team as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup in 2025.

The most-frequent team mentioned as a potential landing spot for Cousins are the Cleveland Browns.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic said on the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast that it "would not be surprising" to see the Browns swing a deal for Cousins.

Based on the conversations I've been hearing, it would not be surprising to see Kirk Cousins end up in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/bqZ1PZi4AJ

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 1, 2025

When the four-time Pro Bowler was benched for the final three games last season, it was assumed he would be traded in the offseason.

Instead, the Falcons have been slow-playing the situation. They could have attempted to deal Cousins before March 16 when a $10 million roster bonus for 2026 became guaranteed.

Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson reported on March 12 that the Falcons planned to move forward with Cousins as their backup, but they are keeping a trade on the table if a suitor emerges at some point.

Cleveland's quarterback plan could come into more clear focus during the draft, assuming nothing happens prior to April 24. If Shedeur Sanders is the No. 2 pick, it would seem to indicate they are going to bet on him going forward.

If a player like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter were to be taken in that spot, the Browns' only healthy quarterback on the roster right now is Kenny Pickett. Deshaun Watson is recovering from a setback in his recovery from an Achilles injury that has his status for the 2025 season up in the air.

Cousins previously worked with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski with the Minnesota Vikings. Stefanski was the offensive coordinator for Cousins' first two seasons in Minnesota in 2018 and 2019.

One indication the Falcons could still trade Cousins rather than keep him is they didn't restructure his contract, which would push the money he is owed into future years.

The Falcons currently have the fifth-lowest amount of cap space available in the NFL ($10.6 million). Cousins has a $40 million cap hit in 2025, but the Falcons could save $27.5 million against the cap if they trade him after June 1.

A pre-June 1 trade would save the Falcons $2.5 million. Penix, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, is entering offseason activities as the top quarterback on Atlanta's depth chart.

Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 starts for the Falcons in 2024. He was benched after a five-game stretch from Weeks 10 through 15 in which he had one touchdown and nine interceptions.

Count NFL Network's Ian Rapoport among those who do not believe the Atlanta Falcons will release Kirk Cousins in the coming days.

He discussed the situation Wednesday and suggested Atlanta will hold onto him until another team may be in a more desperate situation and in need of a trade because of a quarterback injury.

"They can do this for as long as they want because it doesn't hurt them at all," Rapoport said. "Once they get past Sunday, they're paying the $27 million, they're paying the $10 million next year, and it doesn't matter because Michael Penix is cheap and they've committed to this contract. 

"To me, I don't think it's a fake at all. I think the Falcons can carry him. I think they will carry him. I think the next time Kirk Cousins changes teams, it's going to be when someone trades for him."

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: How long can the #Falcons keep QB Kirk Cousins? As long as they want. pic.twitter.com/3crfYaRnKD

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2025

This comes after Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported the expectation is Atlanta will keep Cousins as its backup quarterback even though a $10 million roster bonus for 2026 will convert to become fully guaranteed if he isn't traded or released by Monday.

Cousins is also due to make $27.5 million in fully guaranteed salary in 2025, although Roboinson echoed Rapoport's comments and noted "a trade option would still remain on the table if a suitor for Cousins emerged and the quarterback was willing to waive his no-trade clause."

Atlanta could then cut the veteran after the 2025 season and create a situation where the $10 million in guarantees for 2026 would be subject to salary offsets and off the books if another team paid him more than that during the 2026 campaign.

The bottom line is it seems like the Michigan State product is off the board for teams looking to sign a veteran quarterback in free agency ahead of the NFL draft.

Had Atlanta released him prior to the Monday deadline, he would have joined the likes of Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers as experienced signal-callers on the market. Instead, it seems like the Falcons are going to keep him as an expensive backup.

With Penix on a rooke salary scale, that isn't as prohibitive as it would be for other teams with a starting quarterback making more money. And the presence of Cousins gives the Falcons a viable insurance policy under center as they eye a potential playoff run in the NFC South.

While he dealt with inconsistency last season as he returned from an Achilles injury he suffered in 2023, he is still a four-time Pro Bowler with seven seasons of more than 4,000 passing yards on his resume.

Contenders could do far worse than that as a backup option, even if he is set to make a significant amount of money.

And the Falcons will have plenty of leverage if another team is looking to get out of a trying situation with a quarterback injury by trading for him.

Veteran free-agent quarterbacks on the open market this year reportedly learned a harsh lesson from Kirk Cousins' situation with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason.

After signing a massive contract with the Falcons at the start of free agency, Cousins was caught off-guard when the franchise used the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft to select quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who eventually replaced him as the starter late in the year.

During Tuesday's episode of Get Up, ESPN's Dan Graziano explained that this year's crop of free-agent signal-callers is hoping to avoid the circumstances that Cousins endured during the 2024 campaign.

"There is a concern among some of the veteran quarterbacks that what happened to Kirk Cousins last year in Atlanta could happen to them," Graziano said around the 10:05 mark. "Like all of a sudden I sign with you and now a month later you draft a guy, and halfway through the season I'm not your quarterback anymore."

Cousins could find himself joining this year's group of free-agent quarterbacks, as the Falcons are widely expected to release him before his roster bonus for the 2026 season becomes guaranteed on March 17. Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are among the other veterans on the open market this offseason.

There are still many quarterback-needy teams around the NFL, so it will be interesting to see how the dominoes fall as free agency continues this week.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is entering the final year of his contract, and head coach Raheem Morris is hoping to see him overcome the inconsistencies that have plagued him throughout his career.

Per Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper, Morris said during an appearance on PFT Live that Pitts "had some games where it looks like potentially the best player on the football team," but admitted that the 24-year-old needs to perform at that level more consistently.

"He has some moments that leave you wanting more, leave you desiring more," Morris said. "With a guy like Michael Penix that believes in him, you want to see if you can get more. We’re gonna take it as far as we can take it from a coaching standpoint."

After being selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Pitts delivered on early expectations with 68 catches for 1,026 yards and a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season. However, he was limited to 10 games in his second year due to a knee injury that required surgery, and he has struggled to produce since then. Despite playing in all 17 games in each of the last two seasons, he's recorded a combined 100 catches for 1,269 yards. Over his four-year career, he's reached the end zone just 10 times.

Perhaps Pitts will have more of an opportunity to showcase his skills with Penix under center, as the second-year quarterback will need all the help he can get as he tries to help the Falcons end a seven-year playoff drought. A big year for Pitts could result in a major payday next offseason.

Drake London will be with the Atlanta Falcons through at least the 2026 season.

As expected, the team picked up the receiver's $16.8 million contract option on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

No surprise, but the Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on WR Drake London’s contract, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2025

London, 23, is developing into a star wide receiver. He had a strong rookie season in 2022, catching 72 passes for 866 yards and four touchdowns. While his sophomore season was solid (69 catches for 905 yards and two scores), it wasn't the jump many fans were expecting.

But under new head coach Raheem Morris and a pair of new quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., London took that jump in year three, setting career highs in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,271) and touchdowns (nine).

He paired with Darnell Mooney (64 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns) to give the Falcons an excellent one-two punch at wideout.

"They've done a great job," Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said of the pair in December. "Obviously, their skill sets complement each other really well. They are both very, very smart football players. They love it. They compete. Those two guys are a lot of fun to coach every single day because they bring it, and they bring out the best in everybody. So, it's no surprise that they're having such great seasons."

Add in superstar running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and the up-and-coming Penix—who looked good when he was finally promoted to starting quarterback later in the season—and the Falcons have an intriguing young offense.

London is a key figure in that group, making it an easy decision to pick up his fifth-year option. A lucrative contract extension should follow.

Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins reportedly has not spoken to Atlanta Falcons leadership since the conclusion of the 2024 regular season.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, it isn't yet clear what the Falcons intend to do with Cousins this offseason between keeping him, cutting him or trading him.

Last offseason, the Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract despite the fact that he was coming off a torn Achilles.

The 36-year-old never quite looked like himself during his first season in Atlanta, as he went 7-7 in 14 starts and completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a career-high and league-high 16 interceptions.

CHARGERS' FOURTH INT SEALS THE GAME. #LACvsATL pic.twitter.com/NoVPVcAHX3

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

After the four-time Pro Bowler threw one touchdown and nine interceptions over a five-game span, he was benched in favor of rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. for the final three games of the season.

Penix is in line to be the starter next season, which could result in the Falcons parting ways with Cousins after just one season, but as noted by Pelissero and Rapoport, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot has suggested that Atlanta could keep Cousins as a backup, saying: "We are very comfortable moving forward with [Cousins] as backup."

While Cousins would provide some quality insurance behind a young quarterback, he would also be highly expensive for that role.

Per Pelissero and Rapoport, keeping Cousins on the roster past March 16 would guarantee him $10 million in 2026 in addition to the $27.5 million he is slated to make next season.

Since Cousins has a no-trade clause, he could veto any deal and force the Falcons to release him, which would then allow him to choose where he wants to go.

According to Spotrac, releasing Cousins would result in $65 million in dead cap next season and cost the Falcons $25 million against the cap. A post-June 1 would spread the dead cap over two years with $40 million in 2025 and $25 million in 2026.

Either way, the Falcons will have a tough pill to swallow financially in terms of either paying big money to a backup or dealing with significant dead cap after cutting him.

Given the enormity and difficulty of the decision, Pelissero and Rapoport suggested that the Falcons could wait until on or near the March 16 deadline to make their choice.