Context:

The Atlanta Falcons are focused on strengthening their defense as emphasized by owner Arthur Blank, who highlighted the importance of defensive draft picks at the NFL's Annual League Meeting. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Falcons selected five players, four of them for defensive positions, notably edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., and defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. Despite these selections, the cornerback position remains a concern, with players like Dee Alford and Mike Hughes struggling to maintain consistency. Pro Football Focus suggests that signing free agent Asante Samuel Jr., who has shown potential with a high coverage grade but struggled with injuries, could bolster the Falcons' secondary. Samuel's projected market value is a four-year, $45.8 million contract, and his addition could provide the depth and experience needed in the Falcons' defensive lineup.

Dive Deeper:

• The Atlanta Falcons have emphasized a defensive focus in their 2025 NFL Draft strategy, as articulated by owner Arthur Blank, aiming to address weaknesses in their defensive line and secondary.

• During the draft, the Falcons selected five players, with four dedicated to defense, including edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., and defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr.

• Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has acknowledged the team's previous struggles with pass rush and is committed to improving this aspect during the offseason.

• Despite the draft acquisitions, the Falcons' cornerback situation remains uncertain, with players such as Dee Alford and Mike Hughes lacking consistency, potentially opening opportunities for rookie Billy Bowman Jr. and Clark Phillips III.

• Pro Football Focus's Mason Cameron suggests the Falcons could enhance their secondary by signing former Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who, despite injury issues, has demonstrated strong coverage abilities with an 82.0 PFF grade.

• Asante Samuel Jr. is a young free agent coming off his rookie contract with the Chargers, limited to four games last season due to a shoulder injury, yet has shown potential by recording six interceptions in his first three seasons.

• Samuel's projected contract is valued at approximately $45.8 million over four years, and his acquisition could significantly improve the Falcons' defensive depth and experience.

• The Atlanta Falcons weren’t shy about their intentions heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

• At the NFL Combine, the team reportedly only brought in its defensive coaching staff. Then, team owner Arthur Blank made the direction even clearer at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting.

• “The emphasis on the draft will certainly be on the defensive side of the ball,” Blank said.

• The Falcons followed through, selecting five players in total — four of them on defense. The lone offensive pick was offensive tackle Jack Nelson.

• Atlanta made a concerted effort to address two of its weakest areas: the defensive line and secondary. The team used its two first-round picks on edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., then selected defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. in the third and fourth rounds.

• “Raheem Morris says he was tired of getting grilled for the lack of a pass rush for the Falcons, and they were intentional about fixing that this offseason,” Will McFadden wrote. "That's got to change, and the only way to change that is to change that."

• Still, questions remain defensively — particularly at cornerback — according to Pro Football Focus’s Mason Cameron.

• “While the Falcons addressed some of their coverage needs during this year’s draft, the cornerback room continues to be a question mark,” Cameron wrote. “Dee Alford has struggled in the slot, which might pave the way for rookie Billy Bowman Jr. to carve out a role. And Mike Hughes’ inconsistency may lead to Clark Phillips III making a leap on the depth chart.”

• Cameron floated one potential solution: former Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., one of the youngest free agents remaining on the market.

• “Adding more competition never hurts, which could open the door for an option such as Asante Samuel Jr.,” Cameron wrote. “The 25-year-old struggled with injury in 2024 but posted an 82.0 PFF coverage grade at outside cornerback across 2022 and 2023.”

• Samuel is coming off his rookie contract with the Chargers and was limited to just four games last season due to a shoulder injury. In his first three seasons, he totaled six interceptions and showed flashes of strong outside coverage ability.

• If healthy, Samuel could provide a significant upgrade to a Falcons secondary that’s still lacking both depth and experience. His projected market value is a four-year, $45.8 million deal — an average of $11.5 million annually, per Spotrac.