On the Rise | S5E2 | All Access look into the Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Draft | NFL

On the Rise | S5E2 | All Access look into the Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Draft | NFL

It’s about the future. We need to make sure we do everything we can this offseason. So, we don’t have the same feeling. And so, like those guys are angry after losses. You need those types of players. We’re not just trying to figure out the background and those things and okay, you’re smart, you can do, but are you dying to win and and do you truly love this game and will you do anything you can do to to win? And do you have that real passion? All those factors matter. we start to count down the minutes to the most exciting weekend in the NFL offseason. That of course is the NFL draft. And it’s an exciting time for football fans for the NFL 2025 NFL draft. You are on the clock. It starts over every single year. It’s a brand new year. It’s a brand new opportunity for us to go out there and really get after a chance for us to build our team. I got a lot of trust in what Terry Fo and his crew does. I got a lot of trust in our coaching staff. He is someone that that the Falcons organization is gladly to have. He is on a mission and he is setting things up to put this program on the rise. [Music] Well, we’re here to gather information. That’s what we’re doing. We’re spending a lot of time, we talked earlier about all these interviews, these formal interviews with the players. Usually, you can spend time and see people face to face and talk about your roster and those things. And so you want to have that, but it’s it’s really about we’re still in the gathering um information phase. So I would say it’s a successful week if we go in with a plan to gather as much information as we can and that’s what makes it successful. How you doing, man? I’m great. I’m blessed. I’m Yeah. How about y’all? Outstanding, man. Most people tell me I got a big heart. I love people who around me. I hold them tight. So obviously just filling in when needed. Like I said, just team first type of person coach calls up on me. So, if somebody asked you what position you play, what would you say? Defense. I like it. Defense. I like it. You know, just being at Georgia, it’s uh being everywhere. That was my deal. You know, you always got to look at it as, you know, what your team needs, who gives you the best value, how do you add the kind of quality character people to your roster in order to go out there and develop the things that you’re trying to build on. you know, Terry, you know, Kyle, Ryan Pace, all of those guys, Tumbo, they do such a great job of presenting you the information, giving you the reads, giving you their thoughts, their details. Gives our coaches a chance to go back and watch the tape, get a chance to evaluate what they believe in, what we love, what we want to add to. So, realistically for me, the draft is always really similar. You know, you’re going to have special players at the top, you’re going to have players at the bottom that nobody knows about, and they’re going to rise up. That’s always the fun, and that’s always the beauty of the draft. Yeah. Georgia. I I walked through the hallways a certain way. I did the things a certain way because that’s the way you’re supposed to do it. That was the standard. I was pretty chill, basic guy. I know what I want. I know what I want out of the game. I feel like I got what it did. My parents, you know, I learned everything from them. Leadership, accountability, you know, responsibility, all those type of things, integrity, all those type of things. We want to work together and bring in players that we love and have a clear vision for. And so, it’s about making the total team better. And we want to bring in as opposed to thinking about positions, let’s bring in impact players. Happy draft week. Draft week, baby. I am ready for the Falcons to draft an edge rusher or two if they want to. How do we get better as an organization? And how do we get closer to our goals? Because every player, every coach, and by the way, front office and ownership, they want to be in the postseason. We just have to take impact players off the board at the end of the day and make sure we’re effective. Everybody has their niche, what they play for. Some people do it for family. Like what drives you? I say I like to play for myself. I like to be great. I like to if I’m going to do something, I’m going to go hard at it. What I do know is we’re going to bring in a player that in the first round that we have a lot of conviction on and that we believe in. the same thing on on day two and we’re going to keep working through and we’re going to do what’s best for this organization. We’re going to have a clear vision and we know the way they’re going to impact this team. Jaylen, Derek, what’s going on? Where you at, man? Man, I’m I’m at the crib. I’m in Salsbury, man. You’re in Salsbury? Well, you know the good news. Officer doesn’t even have to send a plane for you, man. Hey, man. Send that. Hey, it was meant to be. Hey, man. I’m going to put you on Raheem right now. Okay. Hey, start walking your ass this way. Hey, man. Hey, man. I’m on the way. I’m on the way. Stop this way. It’s time. It’s It’s time to go, man. Yeah. No. Hey, let’s go, man. Come stay home, bro. I’m here. I’m here. I’m here. I Here’s Mr. Blake, man. Hey, Jaylen. It’s Arthur. How you doing, buddy? How you doing? I’m doing great. You excited to stay home, man? Let’s do this, man. the ball in Atlanta. Okay. Well, I’ve watched you punch on TV over the years. Great player, great leader, great athlete. So, thank you for your commitment to us and text you from we will have a we’ll have a great time together. Take care, buddy. Okay. Travels. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Thank you. Yes, sir. Appreciate it. Here’s the latest Falcons first rounder with the 15 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The Atlanta Falcons select Jaylen Walker, defensive end, Georgia. Sometimes you just don’t overthink it, right? What a dream scenario. Jaylen Walker here to the Atlanta Falcons. First time I saw Jaylen Walker. Wo, he was disruptive. No matter where Kirby Smart decided to line him up, he has explosive pass rush traits. He can close in a big big way. He just has this it factor. It’s infectious. It’s an opportunity for me to stay home. Yeah. I’ve been living in Georgia for the past 3 years. It it’s it’s it’s great. It’s just good to be home. The Los Angeles Rams have traded the 26 pick to the Atlanta Falcons. At what point tonight did y’all start working honestly on trading back up to get So, so honestly Josh, we already had some teams that we knew were going to be looking to trade out. As soon after we got as we got off the phone at 15, we started working. We were working the phones to get back in and we’re looking at the board and all those things and trying to figure things out. Once we got to that point, we were coming back in to get pierced. We look at the trade charts and all that stuff, but at some point you have to look at, okay, who’s the player and what’s going to be what are we really getting at some point? And when you have that kind of conviction and belief uh in the player, then and that’s when you’re willing to do it. James. Yes, sir. How you doing, man? I’m doing good. You good? Yeah. Are you sitting next to Miss Kizzy? Yeah. Ask her if she’s ready to get on a plane and fly to Atlanta. I say you ready to fly to Atlanta? Yes. She said yes. Tell you she was going to do her makeup, dress, all that stuff because we’re sitting a plane for you. We’re on the clock right now, man. We’re going to make you a Falcon. Get your ass up here and get ready to play. All right. Let’s do it, coach. With the 26th pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons select James Pierce Jr., defensive end Tennessee. [Music] This was not the prediction that I made that Atlanta Falcons was going to make a move to get back into the first round for their second pick. The explosiveness, the speed, just the natural rusher, the natural athlete, all those things just pop off the tape immediately with him. You see that juice is real juice. You see it all the time on tapes. the traits that he possess. He has things that I say you just you can’t coach these type of things. He’s one of those players. I’m ready to go out there and play for coach Raheem GM Terry. Most of all play for the fans fans and the team and my teammates. I’m ready to go. They had to go and make a big move and this was the big move. Edge rusher was not only a need, but it was addressed in the first round. I love what they did tonight because we all came into this saying you got to fix the pass rush. Guess what? Pass rush has a lot more juice to it right now than it did coming into tonight. So, I’m I’m pretty happy. What up, boy? Congrats, boy. No doubt. Yeah. You good? Yeah, I’m good. Let’s do this. I’m really fired up seeing these guys to go out there and show what they could do naturally. Um, watch them go out there and find ways to improve them. Um, and really grow together, you know? I think that’s a part of it. like that’s a part of the rush and rushing together and all those guys. So, I just can’t wait to get these guys out and our grass. I just want to prove it to myself that I’m one of the best and I can rock with the best. And then after that, it’s my mom and my family believing in me and want me to be able to do it for them. I’m I’m here to be that piece, you know? If they want me there, I’ll be there. If they want me here, I’ll be there. And I’m just excited for the game plan to see what we’re going to work with. Feel like I believe in what the head guys were doing and they knew what they was doing. They brought both of us in here. They got a plan and it’s up for me and Jaylen to follow it. My goal for me and James is just to keep pushing each other to uh to the best ability we can. How does this trade change your plans for tomorrow and how you go about it? We kind of talked about this draft and the fact that um we do believe it’s a deep draft so we’ll get a good player when we do pick. Where do we go next after this pass rushers was addressed as we get to this next pick on day two. Is it stay defense or does this end up being more wild card? I feel like my biggest strength is um my like team value. Um especially with my career is I bounce all around. I’m always a team first guy. And then obviously um I feel like I have instincts you cannot coach. Like you see on tape like I see something I trust it. Like I’m going no matter what. Um I play fast. I play physical. Xavier Watts. What’s up? How you doing? How you doing man? I’m going real good. I’m I’m going to try to get you to crack a smile man. When we mentioned you didn’t crack a smile. You’re a serious dude man. We’re going to make an Atlanta Falcon right here. Okay, we’re on the clock. What’s up, ATL? I see you. We got a trade. Philadelphia Eagles have traded the 96 picks to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 draft. The Atlanta Falcons select Xavier Watts DB Notre Dame. [Music] You see the speed, the movement. You combine that with his ball production and then finding out more about him as the person. What else do you want? Billy Bowman Jr., what’s going on? You ready to be a Falcon man? Hey, I ain’t never been more ready. Y’all made the right choice. I guarantee you that. Hey, we have no question. You waited long long enough. I don’t know why you waited this long, but this was meant to be. All right. man, your character, the man that you are, the stuff that you do to the game. Man, we we are so fired up and happy to coach you being a bunch of happy coaches right here, right now. A bunch of happy personnel people, bro. I look forward to meeting y’all. I’m ready. I’m ready to roll. Yes, sir. The 118th pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Billy Roman, defensive back, Oklahoma. because it’s it’s a moment that you work for your whole life and for your name to finally be called and you know you having all the all your supporters and people in one place to celebrate you uh is truly amazing. Jack Nelson, how you doing, man? I’m doing good. How are you? I’m I’m doing well, man. We’re excited. We’re on the clock here and uh and we’re going to make you a shot. You good with that? I’m good with that. Appreciate the opportunity. Okay, man. No, we’re excited, man. Everything you’re about, smart, tough, competitive, versatile, all those things, man. We’re excited to get you in the building. Okay. Awesome. Awesome. Yes, Atlanta. The 218th pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons select. Jack Nelson, tackle from Wisconsin. process of being a football player and being the best that he can be. That process is important to him. Guys, another really good day for us. Uh starting with Billy Bowman. If you don’t enjoy watching him play, then you just don’t like football. We talked about the other day with Xavier. He’s got ball awareness, so he takes it away. Again, just an unreal competitor, ne next level competitor. So very very excited about him and what he brings to our team and our defense and excited about Jack Nelson, a four-year starter at Wisconsin, big man, all the intangibles. Um he’s played all over that line. So uh very excited about adding him in the seventh round. This is a team, an organization that just took a major step forward defensively. It’s always quality over quantity in our minds. It ain’t about what, it’s about who. We’ve said that before. Not just adding bodies. Um these are these are impactful players. every single one of them that we have a clear vision for. You know, Terry talks about it a lot, but he looks for obsessed people. Obsessed people in their craft. And he’s talking about the football character. When you’re obsessed about your craft, you’re excited about what you do. He loves that. And this really just goes across the board and everything, you know, all the way from every part of our building to our players. And then obviously within our team setting, we talk about being community contributors. So, I want to make these guys and help them become community contributors without reaching out to our community, people that can go out in our community. Again, I keep saying this, but it’s true. There is an eighth round this year and we’re going to be aggressive there and get some good players when the seventh round ends. For us, it’s about people that fit our ethos. You had an idea of what you wanted to go do in the draft. Did your needs meet the the levels at which you had these guys graded and I think you you exceeded that. That’s pretty damn good if you ask me. It was a draft that you we I mean for all the things that we already talked about and I thought you addressed all the major needs that you had and what’s the point of the draft is getting quality guys in spots that you need. What else you need to sell?

Take a special look into the Draft war room and even NFL Combine interviews as Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris and others work to shape the future of the franchise. With the first round selections of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., and other key additions in the draft, the foundation for the 2025 Season is set. Presented by Delta Air Lines

0:00 – “Put this program on the rise”
1:06 – Combine Interviews
3:15 – “Draft Week baby”
3:40 – Jalon Walker Selection
6:00 – James Pearce Jr. Selection
8:03 – First round draft picks arrive at facility
9:10 – Day 2 of Draft
9:30 – Xavier Watts Selection
10:38 – Billy Bowman Jr. Selection
11:29 – Jack Nelson Selection
12:15 – Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris recap draft and look ahead

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