The Falcoholic
The 2025 preseason is in the books, and if there’s one thing we learned, it’s this: the Falcons are built on a razor-thin margin of error. Between brutal injury luck, heavy reliance on first-year starters, and a roster constructed on calculated risks, this team isn’t entering the season with answers; it’s entering with questions.
However, this preseason, we have seen flashes. We have seen potential. We have seen upside. There are reasons for hope, because, of course, there are.
Here are the five biggest takeaways from Atlanta’s preseason slate.
The Falcons were already built on a knife’s edge, and the preseason made that reality impossible to ignore, especially along the offensive line. When looking at the depth behind the starting unit, the drop-off was immediate and obvious.
This offense didn’t get many upgrades over last year’s unit. The front office pushed its chips in on a youth movement on defense, which left the offense to rely on natural continuity in year two of Zac Robinson’s system, and inputting first-year starter Michael Penix, Jr. for any tangible improvement on that side of the ball. It’s a fine plan, but Atlanta’s injury luck last year was incredible, especially along the offensive line. Outside of Drew Dalman, who is no longer on the roster, all four of the other pieces on the line played 90% or more of the offensive snaps in 2024. That’s a tough mark to replicate.
Now, Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside is being protected by third-string swing tackle Elijah Wilkinson. For a first-year starter who isn’t exactly known for mobility, that’s a nightmare scenario. If Penix is forced to create off-script while also settling into Zac Robinson’s offense, the ceiling of this unit takes a hit, and the offense is supposed to be the steadying force of this roster.
Five draft picks. Five roster spots. Zero redshirts.
Every single member of the Falcons’ 2025 rookie class made the initial 53, and four of them – Jalon Walker, James Pearce, Jr., Xavier Watts, and Billy Bowman – are expected to play real snaps immediately.
That’s not just a fun storyline; that’s a structural reality.
Watts’ ability to get his hands on the football? Necessary. Bowman’s attitude in the run and pass game? Necessary. Walker and Pearce Jr.‘s ability to get to the passer? You already know that’s necessary. The Falcons are counting on all of them to hit now. If the class delivers immediately? The ceiling of this defense rises immensely. If they fail, the floor falls out from under this defense.
This isn’t a slow build. This is a baptism by fire.
Call it an audition. Call it a last stand. Call it whatever you want, but Kyle Pitts will have his chance to be featured in 2025 in year two under offensive coordinator Robinson. They have the first two options in the...
