West Atlanta News

April marks the final countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft, a highly anticipated event for teams and fans alike. The Atlanta Falcons community is especially vocal about their desire for a significant improvement on the defensive front. While adding a top-tier pass rusher is a common wish, various positions on defense are open for enhancement.

Atlanta Falcons editorial team members, Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden, and Terrin Waack, have offered their insights on potential defensive stars in the upcoming draft.

Tori McElhaney is particularly impressed by Jihaad Campbell. "I love the range of play that Jihaad Campbell has," she notes. His adaptability on the field, being able to play both off the ball and on the edge, makes him a unique prospect. McElhaney references Daniel Jeremiah's top-50 prospects list which highlights, "Campbell expands the playbook for defensive coordinators."

Will McFadden expresses enthusiasm for Maxwell Hairston, describing a transformative experience watching his game footage. "The first thing that jumped off the tape was Hairston's competitive nature," he recalls. Hairston's prowess in coverage and leadership as a team captain are qualities McFadden admires, strengthened by Hairston leading the SEC with five interceptions in 2023.

Terrin Waack's attention is captured by Travis Hunter, notable for his aim to play dual roles offensively and defensively. Organizations differ in opinion on Hunter's ideal position in the league. Quotes from various teams underscore this diversity, with the Tennessee Titans' Brian Callahan acknowledging, "it’s ‘very realistic’ to think Hunter could play on both sides." Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns' Andrew Berry and the New York Giants have their divergent views on Hunter's ideal role.

Hunter's unique ambition to excel on both sides of the field fuels debates over his potential, a sentiment he embraces confidently. At the 2025 NFL Combine, Hunter stated, "They say nobody has ever done it the way I do it. But I tell them I'm just different."

As the draft approaches, these names remain hot topics among analysts and fans, with Jihaad Campbell, Maxwell Hairston, and Travis Hunter representing the versatile talents that teams may seek to bolster their defenses this season.