The Falcoholic
The Falcons may be shopping for a long-term answer at tackle. Here’s what Dane Brugler thinks of a few of the top options.
It’s back, baby.
The most comprehensive look at the NFL draft is back as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released the 2025 version of The Beast for everyone to enjoy.
400+ profiles. 2,700+ prospects. In a few words, it’s an NFL Draft lover’s dream.
On his cameos on The Athletic Football Show, Brugler speaks about how scouts can boil down a prospect to one line. One sentence to describe hours of film study and days of research on a kid’s potential in the NFL.
So, this year, we look at a few of the one-liners that Brugler put on some of the top names in the 2025 NFL draft at positions of need for the Atlanta Falcons.
I hope you enjoy, and please, if you haven’t, go and read The Beast. Words can’t describe how invaluable a tool it is to get an in-depth look at all the top prospects in the draft.
Brugler listed the following three positions as the top positions of need for Atlanta in the 2025 Draft, with the following note on the importance of this year’s draft for General Manager Terry Fontenot:
EDGE
CB
OT
Atlanta has trumpeted its collaborative approach since Terry Fontenot was hired as GM. He and Raheem Morris insist that no one in the room dominates the decision-making. This will be Fontenot’s fifth draft with the Falcons, and it could be his last if the team’s fortunes don’t change.
Overall, Banks doesn’t have ideal length and needs to improve his sustain tactics to be a consistent finisher against NFL talent, but he has controlled footwork and depth in his pass sets, plus the fundamental know-how to fit and leverage blocks and keep defenders occupied.
Overall, Simmons is a nimble, coordinated pass protector with tremendous athletic poise and the body control to be a long-term starting left tackle in the NFL.
Overall, Conerly must continue refining his hands and core strength, but he is on the right trajectory and enters the NFL with a promising foundation based on athletic movements and body control.
Overall, Ersery has the size, strength and movement talent to become an NFL starting tackle — if his timing, angles and overall consistency continue to improve with pro coaching.
Overall, Jackson’s sustain and recovery hiccups must be addressed by an NFL coaching staff, but his athletic traits and play strength should translate well to the next level.
*Overall, Trapilo is a towering athlete and can be jarred at contact on occasion, but he has swing-tackle traits with his smooth weight distribution and the impressive strike timing he...
