ESPN Draft Buzz: “Falcons’ 8th overall selection likely parachute pick for [Kayvon] Thibodeaux”

Atlanta’s new regime is three days away from their second draft and will be approaching it with a best player available strategy. Terry Fontenot has been adamant regarding this method. The first-time general manager has repeated time and time again that signing veteran free agents to team-friendly deals to round out the roster in order to remain flexible come draft day will always be the strategy moving forward. Fontenot has also stated the position of the prospect won’t matter, stating that adding to a position of strength is a possibility.

In Todd McShay’s latest piece for ESPN, the national draft pundit reported that multiple people inside Flowery Branch are high on Drake London and that it’s ‘very possible’ that the Falcons focus its attention on pass catcher. Moreover, McShay describes the Falcons’ eighth overall pick as a ‘parachute pick’ for Kayvon Thibodeaux. Many believe that if the former top-ranked player in the country falls to Atlanta, he won’t make it further.

It’s very possible that Atlanta focuses its attention on wide receiver, and specifically Wilson or London. I’ve heard there are people in the building who are high on London. Olamide Zaccheaus is the team’s current WR1.

But I’ve also heard the Falcons’ eighth overall selection is likely the parachute pick for Thibodeaux. Some decision-makers around the NFL are under the impression that Atlanta will take the Oregon pass-rusher if he’s still there. That’s a big departure from what I heard about a month ago. But remember, the Falcons were last in the NFL in sacks with 18 last season — 11 fewer than the second-worst team.

McShay is one of several highly-regarded individuals in the draft community to report the Falcons are high on Drake London, which is mind-boggling. If the Falcons are truly in a best player available scenario, I don’t see how that prospect could be a wide receiver. Considering one of Kyle Hamilton, Evan Neal, Derek Stingley, Sauce Gardner, Ikem Ekwonu, or Thibodeaux will likely be available when the Falcons are on the clock; I expect them to select a non-receiver prospect.