The Falcons have a couple of roster needs heading into the NFL Draft, both reside on the defensive side of the ball.
A.J. Terrell needs a running mate, but at the very least, there needs to be a starting-caliber corner to compete with Clark Phillips, Dee Alford, and Mike Hughes. In today’s NFL, defenses need three starting corners, and we know injuries are inevitable, so they really need four.
That’s not as pressing of a need as EDGE, though. Arnold Ebiketie is expected to take a step in his development; however, Lorenzo Carter and DeAngleo Malone aren’t exactly world-beaters on the other side. The Falcons need to add a consistent pass rusher, and depending on a potential rookie seems dangerous.
Still, that’s what every mock drafter has them doing. The single most popular player mocked to the Falcons is Dallas Turner. Everyone is projecting the Alabama product to make his way east to Atlanta later this month. Jared Verse is a close second, though.
Ryan Wilson of CBS and Chad Reuter of NFL.com project the Falcons to take Verse while every other draft pundit has them going with Turner.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Jordan Reid of ESPN, Mike Tannenbaum of ESPN, Field Yates of ESPN, Matt Miller of ESPN, Ben Standig of The Athletic, Mel Kiper of ESPN, and Brad Spielberger from PFFÂ all have Turner going to Atlanta at no. 8.
We will see what the draft brings, but I wouldn’t count on the Falcons pick being either one of these prospects unless you believe they’re the highest-rated player on Terry Fontenot’s big board. He has rarely deviated from his “best player available” approach, and I wouldn’t project Atlanta’s GM to take anyone who isn’t at least one of the highest-rated prospects.
If Jared Verse or Dallas Turner are in your eyes, then I fully understand your perspective.
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Photographer: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire
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