The Atlanta Falcons are gearing up for what could be a turning point in 2025. With Raheem Morris entering his second year as head coach and Michael Penix Jr. taking the reins at quarterback, there’s a sense that this team has the pieces to make noise in the NFC South. But the clock is ticking for several high draft picks who haven’t lived up to the hype.
Kyle Pitts, Troy Anderson, and Zach Harrison were drafted to be cornerstone players. Instead, they’ve delivered a mixed bag of injuries, spotty play, and unfulfilled potential. For these three, 2025 isn’t just another season – it’s their last chance to prove they belong.
1. Kyle Pitts, TE
Drafted: 1st Round, No. 4 overall (2021)
2024 Stats: 47 receptions, 602 yards, 4 touchdowns
Remember when Pitts looked like the NFL’s next great tight end? His rookie campaign had Falcons fans dreaming big – over 1,000 yards and a Pro Bowl nod right out of the gate. Then reality hit hard.
Injuries and quarterback carousel issues derailed his 2022 and 2023 seasons. Last year started with promise – Pitts racked up 419 yards and 3 TDs in the first eight games – but he vanished down the stretch with just 183 yards and a single touchdown in the final nine contests.
This is it for the former fourth overall pick.
Now in the final year of his rookie contract and finally healthy, Pitts has to show he’s the weapon Atlanta thought they were getting. The offense around him has only gotten better, with Bijan Robinson emerging and Drake London establishing himself as a true WR1.
“You can make a highlight tape and see all the good things that he’s done,” said GM Terry Fontenot, “but this is the time to put it all together.”
If Pitts can’t become a consistent red-zone threat and hit at least 750-900 yards this season, don’t expect the Falcons to break the bank for him next spring. The league is full of tight ends who’ve flashed potential but never sustained it – Pitts is dangerously close to joining that list.
2. Troy Anderson, LB
Drafted: 2nd round, No. 58 overall (2022)
Career Stats: 89 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack in 21 games.
When the Falcons took Anderson in the second round, they saw a freakish athlete with a unique background. The former Montana State QB/RB turned linebacker had the physical tools to transform Atlanta’s defense. What they’ve gotten instead is a talented but perpetually unavailable player.
His rookie year offered glimpses – 69 tackles and some splash plays had fans excited. Since then? A torn pectoral muscle wiped out most of 2023, and lingering knee and shoulder problems limited him to just eight games last season.
Morris’s defense demands speed and versatility from its linebackers. Anderson fits that mold perfectly – when he’s on the field. With younger, hungrier competition pushing for snaps, 2025 might be Anderson’s final audition in Atlanta if he can’t stay healthy.
3. Zach Harrison, DE
Drafted: 3rd round, No 75 overall (2023)
2024 stats: 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 safety
The Falcons rolled the dice on Harrison after his inconsistent Ohio State career, betting those impressive measurables would translate to NFL success. Two years in, they’re still waiting for that bet to pay off.
Harrison has suited up for 33 games but has just 4.0 career sacks to show for it. There have been flashes – including a safety last season and some solid work against the run – but Atlanta didn’t spend a third-round pick on a part-time run defender.
The Draft Network recently named Harrison a top “make-or-break” candidate for 2025. In a division with quarterbacks like Bryce Young, Caleb Williams, and Bo Nix, getting consistent pressure isn’t optional – it’s essential.
If Harrison can’t crack 5-6 sacks and establish himself as a reliable rotational piece, the Falcons will likely be looking for his replacement next offseason.
While most fans are focused on how Penix develops and whether Morris can build on his first season, these three former early picks could make or break Atlanta’s playoff hopes.
Best-case scenario for the Atlanta Falcons
Imagine Pitts returning to Pro Bowl form with 800+ yards and becoming the red-zone weapon he was drafted to be. Picture Anderson staying healthy for a full season and locking down a starting role with his athleticism and versatility. And see Harrison finally putting it together with 6+ sacks and consistent pressure off the edge.
If this trio lives up to their draft status, the Falcons could be serious contenders in the NFC.
Worst-case Scenario?
If the pattern continues – Pitts disappearing for stretches, Anderson spending more time in the training room than on the field, and Harrison remaining just a rotational piece – the Falcons will likely move on from all three after 2025. That means three early-round picks down the drain and holes to fill at key positions.
The Falcons’ future certainly depends on stars like Penix, Robinson and London, but their ability to compete right now might hinge on whether Pitts, Anderson, and Harrison can finally deliver. If these three step up, Atlanta has a playoff-ready roster. If they don’t, the front office will face tough questions about their draft strategy — and the rebuild clock gets reset once again.