Following the initial wave of free agency, the Falcons are sitting in a position where they can do a lot of different things in April’s draft.
Terry Fontenot is outspoken about drafting for needs because it sometimes results in reaching, which is why Atlanta’s GM does his absolute best to fill the roster’s needs prior to the draft. He does this to remain flexible in the draft, whether that means moving around or taking the best player available, regardless of the position.
At this point, Fontenot still has some work to do at cornerback, edge, and receiver, but the Falcons sit in a pretty good spot as the roster currently stands. If this is the state of the team by the draft, I’d be shocked.
If it is, Matt Miller has the Falcons filling their biggest roster needs in his latest seven-round mock draft.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Turner, DE, Alabama
The offensive side of the ball is set in Atlanta — now it’s time for coach Raheem Morris to get a playmaker for the defense. Turner took over for Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama and notched 22.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in his career. Given that the Falcons finished 21st in sacks (42) and 32nd in pass rush win rate (30.9%) last season, Turner’s impact would be appreciated. The Falcons could go cornerback here, too, after grabbing just eight interceptions last season as a team, but the value of a Round 2 corner is much better than a Round 2 pass-rusher.
Turner has now become the consensus pick at No. 8 for the Falcons. Everyone believes the Alabama product will be the selection for Atlanta. He’d fill the team’s biggest need at this point and has the highest ceiling among the edge defenders. Turner’s athletic profile makes him a moldable ball of clay, but he’s certainly not as refined as a pass rusher as Laiatu Latu or Jared Verse. With their second-round pick, Miller has the Falcons filling their second most pressing need.
43. Atlanta Falcons
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The two biggest needs in Atlanta heading into the draft are pass-rusher and cover corner. They got Dallas Turner in Round 1, so now I have them targeting his Alabama teammate to take away receivers. McKinstry has a Jones fracture in his right foot, but he still ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the Bama pro day and could be in play even earlier than this.
Kool-Aid McKinstry was half of the best cornerback duo in the country with Terrion Arnold expected to go in the first round. Taking Turner’s Alabama teammate would give the Falcons young pieces at the most important positions on that side of the ball. Asking McKinstry to start opposite of A.J. Terrell for a team with championship aspirations may be a bit much, though. Miller sticks on the defensive side of the ball, adding depth pieces with the Falcons’ pair of third-rounders.
74. Atlanta Falcons
Michael Hall, DT, Ohio State
I wanted to find an earlier fit for Hall after witnessing his incredible pro day workout in Columbus, but things just fell this way. The Falcons could shape him under another undersized defensive tackle in Grady Jarrett.
79. Atlanta Falcons (via JAX)
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Colson didn’t workout at the combine or his pro day, which could push him down the board — but the Falcons should be looking for rangy off-ball linebackers at the draft, and he’s a plug-and-play starter.
The Falcons could use a swing tackle, in terms of the roster’s depth needs, but adding to the trenches will never be a bad thing. With Atlanta’s final four selections, Miller adds four offensive players, including a potential successor to Kirk Cousins in Jordan Travis, who was Miller’s favorite prospect-team fit in the sixth round.
109. Atlanta Falcons: Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
143. Atlanta Falcons: Bub Means, WR, Pitt
187. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
197. Atlanta Falcons (via CLE): Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma
My favorite prospect-team fit in Round 6: Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State to the Falcons (No. 187). Atlanta made a big splash in signing quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency but doesn’t have a developing backup behind the 36-year-old. Travis is a gamer who battled through a shoulder injury early in the season before a broken leg ended his season. He’s a touch thrower with good mobility worthy of a late-round flier.
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Photographer: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
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