Falcons undrafted free agent listed as Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate
Undrafted wide receiver Nick Nash listed as Falcons' Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate for 2025 NFL season
The Atlanta Falcons went into the 2025 NFL draft with a clear goal to upgrade their defense. Four of the team's five draft picks were used on defensive players, including both first-round selections. Next season, the Falcons could have as many as three rookies starters on defense.
Offensively, the team returns 10 of 11 starters from last season. Center Drew Dalman signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency, leaving the job to former undrafted free agent Ryan Neuzil. The Falcons offense has top-10 upside, and while there aren't many new faces, the team did add some intriguing undrafted free agents.
Pro Football Sports Network listed one potential Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate for each team. Since the Falcons only selected one offensive player in the 2025 NFL draft, the options were limited. Offensive tackle Jack Nelson was a seventh-round pick with little chance to play this season.
Instead of just going with Nelson, PFSN looked to Atlanta's undrafted free agent class for a better solution. Wide receiver Nick Nash was listed as the team's Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Falcons WR Nick Nash named OROY candidate by PFSN
Nick Nash joins the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. Nevertheless, his college production and athletic traits could have an instant impact on the passing offense in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Nash led all college football receivers in receiving yards and touchdowns with the San Jose State Spartans in 2024, accumulating 1,382 yards and 16 touchdowns, transitioning to the position full-time. A former quarterback recruit, Nash has the instincts and natural game feel to impact the field in multiple situations. He could even be used in specialized situations as a passer or rusher. -- Owain Jones, PFSN
Nash might be a project, but the former quarterback-turned-wide receiver has a ton of potential. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein projected Nash as a fifth-round prospect ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. The former San Jose State wideout has good size (6-foot-2, 203 pounds), speed (4.57 seconds in 40-yard dash) and ball skills (16 touchdowns last season).
"Nash's competitiveness, ball skills and football character give him a chance to become a productive three-level slot receiver in the pros," Zierlein wrote in Nash's scouting report.
The fact that Nash went undrafted was a bit of a surprise, but he has a real chance to make the team. In our most recent Falcons 53-man roster projection, Nash snuck in as our final wide receiver. Keep your eyes on the rookie wideout once training camp begins in July.
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