Three days of attending Senior Bowl practices in Mobile have concluded, with approximately 120 players scouted and 20 interviewed regarding their prospects with the Atlanta Falcons. There are 82 days remaining until the NFL Draft, and while much is still uncertain—due to NFL Free Agency, contract restructures, cuts, and other factors—the process for the Falcons is gradually taking shape.
General Manager Terry Fontenot and Head Coach Raheem Morris will likely avoid focusing on quarterbacks and running backs this cycle. Also, areas such as WR1/WR2, free safety, CB1, and starting guards are a few positions that the Falcons have already addressed.
One central concern for the Falcons is defense, which stands out. Let’s look at who stood out as far as projecting to Atlanta’s defensive tackle room.
Will franchise leader Grady Jarrett return in 2025, or will he be a salary cap casualty? What about David Onyemata—will he likely be gone? Can second-year, second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro make the breakout step that the team desperately needs from him? And what about Eddie Goldman—will he retire for the third time? I’m not joking. You get the idea, and we can’t forget names like LaCale London, Brandon Dorlus, and Kentavius Street.
Walter Nolen, a 3-Tech from Ole Miss, was the biggest freak in Mobile, followed closely by Shemar Stewart, an EDGE player from Texas A&M. When it comes to defensive interior players, Nolen claims the first-round title for Atlanta. During Senior Bowl Media Day, Nolen mentioned that he has not yet been in contact with Atlanta, but he hopes to speak with the Falcons by the end of the week.
He also clarified that he believes his best role is as a “3-Tech or 4i, positioned somewhere in the B-gap.” Additionally, he highlighted that his ability to align in various positions is a significant strength. I left Mobile with Nolen as a Top 20 player in this class.
A Day 2 or Day 3 name from the Senior Bowl? Darius Alexander, a Toledo DT, is muscular to the point an average fan punching him in the chest would likely injure themselves.
Alexander was named the top defensive lineman on the National squad in a vote from the offensive line group at the Senior Bowl Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony, further validating buzz from scouts and media in attendance all week.
Alexander effectively utilized his leverage and length during his 27 collegiate starts for the Toledo Rockets, earning recognition as a second-team All-MAC selection and averaging 5.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Alexander’s gap-shooting ability and disengagement of blocks were on full display this week, making money.
These two big-bodied defensive tackles could be the meat and potatoes type of players Terry and the Falcons should be looking for; their attitude and play reflect each other, demonstrating why they should be playing in Atlanta in 2025.
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