The phrase, “let Terry cook,” is not one that should have been used often in the past, especially when it comes to his draft history. Since taking over as the Falcons general manager, he’s been absolutely miserable at finding talent this time of year unless it’s inside the top 10 picks. However, there’s a lot to like about what’s he done through the first three rounds.

Jalon Walker fell right into the Falcons lap with the 15th pick. Not many expected him to be around when Atlanta was on the clock, and Terry Fontenot went with the obvious selection at a position of clear need. But Fontenot wasn’t done on night one. He then traded back into the first round to select the ultra-talented James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee, doubling down on the single biggest issue that’s plagued the Falcons over the last two decades.

People might complain about giving up a future first rounder, and perhaps it turns out to be a mistake, but I’m not going to fault a GM for aggressively attempting to fix the team’s biggest issue. Good pass rushers are hard to find. Just like quarterbacks, it takes several swings to get it right. My only complaint is that Terry Fontenot didn’t start doing this a few years ago.

Both Walker and Pearce Jr. will have the opportunity to make an impact from day 1, and so will the Falcons third round selection, safety Xavier Watts out of Notre Dame.

There were two players who earned consensus All-America honors in both 2023 and 2024.

Travis Hunter.

Xavier Watts.

The Falcons got a good one.

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) April 26, 2025

Xavier Watts is a ballhawk that’s totaled 13 interceptions over the last two seasons. Most people had him as one of the three best safeties — a position of need for the Falcons — in this year’s draft and a potential second-round pick. The Falcons were able to scoop him up at the end of the third, and he’ll likely be starting next to Jessie Bates III Week 1, who Watts says he models his game after.

Falcons safety Xavier Watts: "I'm really glad to be a part of the Falcons because Jessie Bates is a player I model my game after."

— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) April 26, 2025

Overreacting the day after the draft is never a wise idea, but it appears the Falcons may have picked up three impact defenders with their first three picks. If that’s the case, it’s already the best draft class since Terry Fontenot took over as general manager in Atlanta.

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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire