Ladies and gentlemen we are back with another Atlanta Falcons mock draft dueling edition. After that abysmal beatdown in Dallas we need something to look forward too. Lets have at it, vote on the winner only @falcons_atb on Twitter! As always thank you to RiseNDraft and nflmockdraftdatabase for the simulator!
Hunter’s Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft
Round 1 Pick 12: Kenyon Green, iOL, Texas A&M
- The Falcons OL needs help. With the Falcons likely committing to Matt Ryan for the long term, they need to keep him upright. Kenyon Green is a great start to that. The Aggie is an incredibly versatile piece who can play along the interior Offensive Line. Adding Green would be an immediate upgrade over Mayfield or McGary and help the Falcons Offensive Line set the tone for the future.
Round 2 Pick 45: Trevor Penning, OT, NIU
- Here we have the Falcons double dipping on the OL with Trevor Penning. Penning is one of the biggest risers and has been shooting up Draft Boards. I don’t expect for Penning to be here at this point, but since he is we take him. Penning is a 6’7″ 320lb bear who just bullies opposing defenders. Penning could immediately step in for Kaleb McGary and then eventually take the reigns for the blindside when Matthews hangs it up.
Round 2 Pick 63: Travon Walker, DL, Georgia
- Walker is a strong side EDGE in the Georgia defense who weighs in at a strong 6’5″ 275lb. Walker has the versatility to thrive in the Dean Pees multifront defense while serving as a formidable running mate to pair with Grady Jarrett. He isn’t a true nose tackle, but he should be able to replace the lackluster performances we have gotten from Marlon Davidson so far.
Round 3 Pick 76: Zion Tupuloa-Fetui, EDGE, Washington
- Here we have the Falcons taking ZTF who is one of my favorites. I know I always talk about ZTF but he would be a nice addition to a defense who is missing a spark. ZTF has rebounded from an Achilles injury and has been starting to get back to his 2020 level of play. ZTF brings a motor that runs hot, a good toolbox, and high levels of athleticism. Adding ZTF would give the Falcons a solid prospect to help grow the defense while getting younger.
Round 4 Pick 115: Kevin Harris, RB, South Carolina
- Kevin Harris is another one of my guys in this draft cycle. Harris is a powerful runner who can help the Falcons RB room improve. Mike Davis has been struggling and we have seen the Falcons use Cordarrelle Patterson in a variety of ways, which means we could use some RB help going forward. Adding Harris in R4 just feels like good value here for the Falcons who need to upgrade the running game.
Adam’s Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft
Round 1 Pick 12: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
- Falcons need CB help bad. Elam gives them a running mate for AJ Terrell. Elam is a long CB who dominates in press coverage and can clamp up any opposing WR. Adding a player like Elam, gives Dean Pees the freedom to be more creative with some of his defensive schemes.
Round 2 Pick 45: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
- Athletic OT from the Buckeyes has versatility at RT and LT. Immediately competes with McGary for the RT position and gives you that more prototypical type of RT that people want with long arms and a really good kick-step. Can maul you in the run game as well, won’t be surprised if a team takes him at the backend of the first, has day 1 starting traits for Arthur Smith and company.
Round 2 Pick 63: Brandon Joseph, SAF, Northwestern
- Joseph is a young safety who would give us versatility on the backend of the defense, He dominates in zone and Pees can roll him and move him around as a defensive chess pieces. Joseph has the single high ability and could slot down into the box. He’s incredibly smooth in coverage as we have seen him play well against Ohio State WR’s in the past. Joseph is just a playmaker for a defense sorely missing them.
Round 3 Pick 76: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
- Spiller’s been in a few of my mocks, but rightfully so. He’s a physical RB who is probably the best pass blocker in the class as well — something that Arthur Smith is high on. Spiller shows good contact balance and patience while running, and looks to finish runs physically. I think Arthur needs a bell cow to get back to being that balanced offense and I think Spiller fits the bill.
Round 4 Pick 114: Sam Williams, EDGE, Ole Miss
- Sam Williams is another one of these long, physically imposing OLB’s, I think, at least from what ATL has done last off-season you’ll see the trend of these kind of pass rushers come to ATL. I think Williams is a great late round guy that presents big time upside with the power that he has. Against Alabama you see him numerous times just fold OT’s, and even at times he lines up inside standing up and uses his strength to push the pocket.
Stephen’s Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft
After picking Jordan Davis in (basically) every Atlanta Falcons mock draft so far, I decided to switch it up a bit this week. The theme for this week is physicality. The Falcons just suffered the worst loss they’ve had since 2004, and the inability to be the bigger bully has plagued them all season. For this mock, I went (mostly) with the meanest player available.
Round 1 Pick 12: George Karlaftis – Edge – Purdue
- There’s been a lot of chatter lately about Karlaftis’ less-than-ideal arm length, but his tape shows it’s not a consistent issue for him. Fontenot showed a strong preference for long-armed rushers in the 2020 draft, so I won’t be surprised if the Falcons pass on him. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, though. Atlanta needs help everywhere, but an utterly invisible pass rush has been the most troubling storyline this season. Karlaftis has room to grow as a run defender but will enter the NFL as a polished and powerful pass rusher.
Round 2 Pick 45: Mykael Wright – Cornerback – Oregon
- Wright isn’t the biggest cornerback in this draft, but you wouldn’t know it from his playstyle. He’s only 5’11, 182lbs, but has the attitude of a linebacker and doesn’t shy away from contact. Despite his size, Wright excels in press coverage and has the athletic ability to disrupt plays at the catch point. He’ll probably run in the low 4.4s, so long speed isn’t a concern. AJ Terrell has been excellent this season, but the rest of the secondary has been up-and-down at best. Wright gives Atlanta a pair of aggressive young corners to serve as cornerstones for this defense.
Round 2 Pick 63: Darian Kinnard – Offensive Tackle – Kentucky
- If the pass rush is the most apparent need for Atlanta, an upgraded run game is a close second. Kinnard, at 6’5, 345lbs, is one of the most dominant run blockers in the nation. He isn’t asked to be much of a pass protector at Kentucky, and there are some valid concerns that he may struggle at tackle in the NFL, but his ability to single-handedly cave in a defensive line makes him an asset. Kinnard absolutely buries defenders, and the Falcons sorely need that sort of physicality on the roster.
Round 3 Pick 76: John Metchie III – Wide Receiver – Alabama
- I’m not in love with the idea of drafting a receiver early(ish), but Atlanta doesn’t have any choice but to add to this group. Calvin Ridley’s future is in question, leaving Frank Darby as the only receiver left on the roster in 2022. Metchie has a similar skill set to Ridley, which would be a bit redundant if/when he returns, but at this point in the draft, Metchie was the best player available. He may not have blazing speed, but his ability to win routes early makes him a big-play threat. Paired with a deep threat to open things up, Metchie and Pitts can be lethal in the intermediate part of the field.
Round 4 Pick 115: Travis Jones – Nose Tackle – Connecticut
- You didn’t think I’d get out of this exercise without adding a massive nose tackle, did you? Anthony Rush has brought some strength to the Falcons interior, but I can’t help but add another 350lb+ hog to this defensive roster. No one will mistake Jones as a premier pass rusher, but he has all the makings of a dominant run-stuffing nose tackle and can help collapse a pocket when he isn’t double-teamed. If Jordan Davis isn’t the pick in the first, Travis Jones is a solid silver medal option.
Around The Block 