The Falcons have a handful of options with their top pick, but there seems to be a trending narrative of what Terry Fontenot will do.
Atlanta’s GM has never traded in the first round since taking over, and it could be a prime opportunity to do so with so many clubs needing a quarterback, tackle, and/or receiver. Rome Odunze, Joe Alt, J.J. McCarthy, etc. could all pique the interest of potential trade suitors.
Fontenot could stand pat and take the top defender on the board. For much of the offseason, that has been Dallas Turner. The Alabama product has been by far the most popular pick for the Falcons in mock drafts, and for the majority of the offseason, he’s been the betting favorite too… until this past weekend.
Over the weekend, betting odds shifted for the favorite to go 8th overall. It was Turner but changed to Laiatu Latu. Now, it’s Brian Baldinger who is pouring fuel on the fire, dubbing the UCLA product the best defensive player in the draft and comparing him to T.J. Watt.
.@UCLAFootball @laiatu_latu is the best defensive player in this #NFLDraft2024 and its not close. Can he be the next TJ? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/O9o2Dn4fqf
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 19, 2024
Baldy knows exactly who his audience is with this video. Falcons fans constantly play the “what if” game with T.J. Watt, who the club passed over in favor of Tak McKinley.
Latu is a silky smooth pass rusher that has a wide array of moves and countermoves in his arsenal. The Falcons haven’t had a reliable double-digit pass rusher since John Abraham was roaming the Georgia Dome, so I don’t care if it’s Latu, Dallas Turner, or even Jared Verse. I just hope someone comes in and immediately contributes.
If it’s who Baldinger believes to be the best defensive prospect in the class, I’ll be happy.
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Photographer: Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire
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