Falcons: Ideal draft targets for the first 2 rounds

Atlanta acquiring extra picks this draft is imperative. It’s still too early for a mock draft, and with players opting out, this gets even tougher. However, this is a lost season. I’ve pondered Atlanta moving to a 3-4, but many of these guys could fit in a multitude of roles. It’s clear safety, edge, linebacker, and corner are the biggest needs. However, Atlanta may have their eyes on a quarterback to be the heir apparent to Matt Ryan. After a 1-5 start, the Falcons draft position currently stands tied for 2nd. That’s subject to change, so I’ll be looking into other spots as well.

 

1st Round:

 

1-5:

QB Trevor Lawrence, QB Trey Lance, QB Justin Fields

 

I still want to give Matt Ryan another shot with a new coaching staff, but these QB prospects are too tantalizing. Lawrence is a no-brainer pick at 1, but Lance and Fields are both mobile QBs built for today’s NFL. If the Falcons do select a QB, they’ll get a chance to learn from one of the best. 

 

5-10

LB Micah Parsons, EDGE Gregory Rousseau, CB Patrick Surtain II, DL Marvin Wilson, LB Dylan Moses

 

These are your draft studs that aren’t QBs. If Atlanta moves to a 3-4, Parsons/Moses, Walker, Jones, Oluokun will be a nice set of four. If the team sticks in a 4-3, I think Rousseau is the pick. Surtain will be a star, but the Falcons did take AJ Terrell in the first round of the 2020 draft. Still, I could see them in the market for a corner.

Rousseau and Wilson are both pash rushing studs. Wilson next to Grady Jarrett, Davidson, and Fowler — in a 4-3 or 3-4 — would be amazing. He’s one of the best pure pass-rushing prospects I’ve seen in a long time. Rousseau notched an ACC leading 15.5 sacks in 2019 before opting out of 2020. I think he’s my favorite out of the bunch. It’s close between him and Parsons — they’re 1a & 1b.

 

10+:

IOL Creed Humphrey, IOL Wyatt Davis, WR Jaylen Waddle, DL Carlos Basham, S Andre Cisco, CB Shaun Wade, TE Kyle Pitts

 

These are mostly luxury picks and would be the choice if the Falcons fall into the middle of the first round or if they somehow pick up another late first-round pick. Humphrey and Davis would be excellent to fill Alex Mack and James Carpenter‘s roles. I had to include Jaylen Waddle because if the Falcons get another first-round pick… there will be a hole at WR. Let’s just say that. Basham put on a ton of weight and would be a solid Takk McKinley replacement — especially if Atlanta moves to a 3-4. Andre Cisco will be a stud, and if Kazee, Neal, and Allen are gone, he will be a priority (along with another guy I’ll get to). Shaun Wade is enticing, but he’s worked almost entirely out of the slot. His ability at the boundary when Ohio State starts playing will be telling for his draft stock. Hayden Hurst is here, but Kyle Pitts is going to be a star.

 

2nd Round:

 

Early 2nd Round:

S Jevon Holland, S Hamsah Nasirildeen, S Jacoby Stevens, EDGE Quincy Roche, CB Asante Samuel Jr.

 

Safety will be a big need for Atlanta. I love Jevon Holland; he’s a movable chess piece similar to Antoine Winfield Jr. — who I wanted in the last draft. Nasirildeen & Stevens are both thumping safeties and would be your Neal replacement. Roche is very raw, but he can get after the QB. Don’t be shocked if he sneaks into R1. He’s crazy explosive, but he’s drawn criticism for his effort, which scares me. Asante Samuel Jr. has the bloodlines — the son of former Falcon great Asante Samuel. He’s a sticky man corner that would fit nicely in a Nickel role.

 

Additional 2nd Rounders:

WR Tylan Wallace, CB Tyson Campbell, RB Travis Etienne, DL Christian Barmore, CB Eric Stokes

 

The Falcons NEED to pick up another 2nd round pick. Tylan Wallace is a smooth route runner, and his value in R2 can’t be understated — especially if Jones is traded. Tyson Campbell is still a bit raw, but he’s got gobs of potential. Etienne is a luxury pick. Good RBs can be found late in the draft, but he’s an X-Factor. Barmore is very polished; however, he profiles more as a nose. Eric Stokes may not declare and hasn’t gotten much draft love, but he’s been absolutely lockdown for the Bulldogs in 2020. He’ll move up draft boards if he declares; there’s a lot to like about his game.

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