Falcons Reacts Survey: What will Atlanta do with its first-round NFL Draft pick?

Falcons Reacts Survey: What Will Atlanta Do with Its First-Round NFL Draft Pick?

The 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and the Atlanta Falcons find themselves in a position that has both fans and analysts buzzing. With a high first-round pick in hand, the Falcons are standing at a critical crossroads. After a rollercoaster 2024 season, the team has glaring needs to address, a new coaching staff looking to make a strong impression, and a fanbase demanding results.

According to a recent Falcons Reacts survey, opinions on what Atlanta should do with its pick are sharply divided. Should the Falcons prioritize a game-changing defender, finally secure a future franchise quarterback, or trade down and accumulate more draft capital? Each direction carries weight—and consequences.

Let’s break down the survey results, what they say about the fans’ mindset, and what the Falcons’ front office might actually do come draft day.

The Pulse of Falcons Nation: Survey Breakdown

The Falcons Reacts survey polled thousands of die-hard Atlanta fans and came back with some interesting results:

• 38% want the team to draft a defensive playmaker.
• 29% are calling for a quarterback of the future.
• 22% prefer the team to trade down and collect more picks.
• 11% are hoping for a wide receiver or offensive lineman.

Clearly, defense remains the top priority for fans who have watched the team struggle to stop opposing offenses for several seasons now. While the offense has had moments of promise, the defense—especially the pass rush—has been underwhelming at best.

The Case for Defense

There’s no denying that Atlanta’s defense needs a serious boost. In 2024, the Falcons ranked in the bottom ten in sacks, quarterback pressures, and takeaways. Those numbers don’t just suggest an issue—they scream it. A franchise in the NFC South, facing quarterbacks like Derek Carr and Bryce Young multiple times a year, can’t afford to be passive on defense.

Top prospects like EDGE rusher Dallas Turner or defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton could be on the board when Atlanta picks. Either player could instantly improve the front seven and give the Falcons a much-needed enforcer in the trenches. Turner, in particular, has the kind of athleticism that Atlanta hasn’t seen on the edge since the days of John Abraham.

Fans are well aware of this. The 38% vote for a defensive player represents a yearning for stability and fearlessness on that side of the ball. A defense-first pick wouldn’t be flashy, but it could finally shift the identity of a team that’s been searching for one since the Super Bowl collapse.

Is It Finally Time for a Quarterback?

It’s been a long, frustrating search for a consistent quarterback since Matt Ryan’s departure. Desmond Ridder showed flashes, but inconsistency and turnovers plagued his stint. Taylor Heinicke had his chance but never looked like a long-term solution. With Kirk Cousins now in Atlanta, it’s easy to think the position is locked down—but only temporarily.

Kirk Cousins is 36 years old and coming off an Achilles injury. He may steady the ship in the short term, but even his most loyal fans wouldn’t bet on him being the answer three years from now. That’s why nearly a third of fans want the Falcons to take a quarterback now while they still have a chance to groom someone under Cousins’ wing.

Names like Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck have been floated around in mock drafts. Drafting one of them wouldn’t be an indictment of Cousins—it would be an investment in the future. And in a league where elite quarterbacks are the ultimate currency, Atlanta can’t afford to be left out of the conversation much longer.

The 29% in the survey may be the most vocal group, especially among younger fans hungry for the next star QB. Their argument is clear: The best time to draft a quarterback is when you don’t need one—because soon, you might.

Trade Down? A Pragmatic Path

Meanwhile, 22% of fans are playing the long game. Trading down would allow the Falcons to gather more picks in a deep and talented draft class. That move would appeal to a front office that believes the roster needs more than just one star player.

By moving back a few spots, Atlanta could still land a starter while grabbing a second-rounder or even an extra first in 2026. For a team with multiple positional needs—cornerback, edge rusher, offensive line depth—that kind of flexibility might be more valuable than staying put.

This group of fans believes the Falcons shouldn’t reach for a quarterback they’re unsure about or force a pick when they could get better value through volume. In a division where no team has established long-term dominance, playing it smart might just be the smartest play.

Wildcard Options: Receiver or Lineman

That 11% of fans calling for a receiver or offensive lineman? They may be on to something. Drake London needs help, and the offensive line could use more youth and depth. A top-tier wideout like Malik Nabers or a versatile tackle could elevate the offense immediately, especially with Cousins behind center.

Still, this is seen as more of a luxury pick. Unless a can’t-miss talent falls into their lap, the Falcons are likely to look elsewhere.

What Will the Falcons Actually Do?

If we’re reading the tea leaves from both fan sentiment and organizational needs, the likeliest outcome is this: Atlanta goes defense. A playmaker on that side of the ball would satisfy the biggest chunk of the fanbase and plug a hole that’s been open for far too long.

However, don’t rule out the quarterback scenario. If a top signal-caller falls—especially someone the front office had rated high—it could force their hand. Cousins’ presence gives Atlanta the luxury to develop a rookie slowly, something many other teams can’t afford.

As for the possibility of trading down, it’s entirely feasible if Atlanta doesn’t love what’s available at their spot. With plenty of QB-hungry teams behind them, the Falcons could be sitting on a goldmine.

Final Thoughts: Pressure and Opportunity

The 2025 Draft is more than just another pick for the Falcons. It’s a statement. This is a team that has hovered in mediocrity for far too long. The wrong pick could extend that purgatory. The right one could change the franchise’s trajectory.

Fans are split, but one thing is certain—they’re watching closely. Whether the Falcons go with a defensive stud, invest in a future quarterback, or wheel and deal their way through the draft board, this decision will be one that defines the next chapter of Atlanta football.

And in a city that’s ready to win again, the pressure is on to get it right.