Either the Atlanta Falcons are planning another draft day switcheroo, or they're telegraphing their plan for a defensive-heavy selection process in 2025.
"The emphasis on the draft will certainly be on the defensive side of the ball," owner Arthur Blank said this week from the NFL's Annual League Meeting, via the team's official website. "I think that's pretty obvious to everybody."
The defense has been an issue for years and was again during last year's late-season collapse. Atlanta ranked 23rd in points (24.88) and yards (345.1) allowed last season, 19th in takeaways (18), 26th in first downs allowed (347) and 31st in sacks (31).
The Falcons sending only defensive staff members to the NFL Scouting Combine underscores the club's plan to skew to that side of the ball during the draft.
Atlanta has been relatively quiet in free agency, adding veteran defenders like Leonard Floyd, Morgan Fox and Jordan Fuller, but the Falcons have stayed away from massive money splashes.
The most significant moves should come in 20 days during the NFL draft, which begins on April 24.
After spending high first-round picks on the offense the past four drafts, it's time for Atlanta, holding the No. 15 overall selection, to bolster the defense. (Of course, that's what everyone predicted last season, so please don't go holding your breath.)
