Falcons: 2022 Mock Draft Monday 1.0 (3 Rounds)

It’s way too early to be getting into mock drafts, but really, there’s not much else to talk about with this team. I figured I’d start up Mock Draft Monday and have a little fun with it. I’ll be using RiseNDraft.com’s draft simulator; check them out if you want to do your own.

 

Round 1, Pick 3: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

While I’m not opposed to taking a quarterback in round one, Kayvon Thibodeaux is WAY too talented to pass on if the Falcons can get him. You can probably make that same argument for Evan Neal, Derek Stingley Jr., and Kyle Hamilton. It may be a different story if this was a stronger quarterback class, but Falcons fans have been starved from having a premier EDGE for so long, you can’t pass on Thibodeaux here.

 

Round 2, Pick 34: QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss

One day the rest of the world will catch on that Matt Corral is the best quarterback in this class, but until then, I’ll keep stealing him in Round 2 of my Mock Drafts. I could see this being a spot for Nevada’s Carson Strong as well, or maybe even Liberty’s Malik Willis. Regardless, if the Falcons could somehow come away with Thibodeaux and Corral with their first two picks, they have two elite building blocks at two of the most critical positions on both sides of the ball.

 

Round 2, Pick 51: IOL Ikem Ekwonu, NC State

I could see Ekwonu taking a big jump closer to the draft, and for a good reason. In a shortened 2020, the left guard notched 50 pancakes and 22 knockdowns. With Jalen Mayfield showing improvement in Week 2, perhaps the Falcons will focus on replacing Kaleb McGary at Right Tackle if that trend continues. Regardless, Ekwonu is the best player on the board, the fact that he fills a need is just icing on the cake.

Round 3, Pick 65: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia

Three out of my first four picks have been dedicated to the trenches, and I don’t think there should be many objections to that. The Falcons may want to consider another cornerback at some point, but Nolan Smith is way too enticing to pass up at 65. With the way he has played for Dan Lanning in 2021, I wouldn’t be shocked if he gets some first-round love. For now, I’ll take him here all day and give the Falcons two elite young pass rushers to continue rebuilding their defense.