In a group mock draft I did on Facebook over the weekend, I took control of the Atlanta Falcons for seven rounds in a draft with other users online.
Atlanta could target multiple positions in the first round with the eighth overall selection. While it could be a wide receiver, cornerback, or defensive tackle, it will most likely be an edge rusher if they retain the pick.
The Falcons could be a target for a team looking to trade up for a quarterback. While the defense has more needs, surrounding their new signal caller with better protection and weapons are key to the 2024 season.
New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will look to apply a Rams-style type concept to their offense. Their defensive coordinator, Jimmy Lake, was also with the Rams as their assistant head coach.
General manager Terry Fontenot has taken a skill position in the top ten in the last few drafts, so it will be interesting if they finally address the defense in the first round.
Going Chalk with Alabama Edge Rusher
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To start the Falcons draft on Walk the Mock, I went with the chalk and took Dallas Turner. It was the right selection as their division rival New Orleans Saints traded up to nine and selected Florida State edge Jared Verse immediately after my pick. UCLA’s Laitu Latu was also in consideration, but I think the Alabama edge rusher has more reps in dropping into coverage. Raheem Morris’, Rams’-style defense has its edges drop into coverage to disguise their defense at times.
Turner is fast enough off the edge and is versatile enough to be in Morris’ rebuilding defense while developing as a pass rusher.
If there is a trade down from pick eight to out of the top ten, I would not be surprised if Texas’ Byron Murphy would be the target at defensive tackle. They have also been looking for an interior rusher to play next to veteran Grady Jarrett.
Falcons: Helping Veteran QB, Molding New Defense
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With their second-round pick at 43, I have the Falcons taking an offensive tackle that can start and protect veteran free agent Kirk Cousins. Houston’s Patrick Paul was a value here and would take Kaleb McGary’s place at right tackle. He could also backup veteran Jake Matthews at left tackle.
In the third round, I started rebuilding the secondary and getting younger players to help out Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell.
At pick 74, I have Atlanta taking Washington State’s Jaden Hicks, a big-time strong safety. I followed that up with the Falcons taking Oregon’s Khyree Jackson at cornerback to play on the outside. This would give them size at the position with the 79th pick.
Hicks would be an upgrade over Richie Grant and adding Jackson would possibly make Clark Phillips more of a rotational depth corner. The former fourth-rounder from last season could play inside and outside, with veteran Mike Hughes penciled in at nickel corner.
I round out the fourth round at pick 109 for the Falcons by taking UCF’s Javon Baker, a receiver for Cousins who is mostly an outside deep threat with some size. This would complement Drake London, free agent Darnell Mooney, and the recently arrived Rondale Moore in the slot.
Atlanta gets solid contributors on both sides of the ball on day two of this mock draft.
Falcons: Depth in the Trenches, Fixing Secondary
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In round five at pick 143, I gave the Falcons a run-stopper next to veteran free agent Eddie Goldman with Clemson’s Tyler Davis. He would join veteran free agent David Onyemata as well on their defensive line.
With the 187th selection in round six, Atlanta gets depth or a potential starter at linebacker in Ty’Ron Hopper out of Missouri. I could’ve taken a linebacker earlier. But I thought it would be better to address other needs first.
Young players like Troy Andersen and Nate Landman could still pan out but Hopper would compete at one of their inside linebacker spots. The Mizzou off-ball backer has good range and experience with the potential to be an eventual starter.
Atlanta doesn’t have a seventh-round pick, so I add depth at center with their second sixth-round pick, the 197th selection. The Falcons in this mock draft get N.C. State’s Dylan McMahon, to add depth behind starter Drew Dalman.
Day three was mostly about depth at a few spots but I wouldn’t be surprised if they addressed some of these needs earlier in the draft.
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