Terry Fontenot has done great work building out the offense around Kirk Cousins. Most of the Falcons roster needs sit on the defensive side of the ball at this point in the offseason.
Edge and cornerback need to be addressed. Both of those position groups must be bolstered with starting-caliber players, but there are a couple of under-the-radar needs that some people aren’t talking about, like another pass catcher.
Fontenot inked Darnell Mooney to a three-year deal, acquired Rondale Moore via trade, and gave Ray-Ray McCloud a contract, but Zac Robinson is expected to run mostly three-receiver sets, making the position a sneaky need.
The draft features a load of intriguing prospects. Maybe Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze falls to the Falcons at No. 8, or maybe they trade back and decide to take someone like Brian Thomas in the middle of the first round, but there’s no shortage of options on Day 2 and Day 3.
One potential target is Ricky Pearsall, who is expected to go in the second or third round and was named a draft fit by Bleacher Report.
Ricky Pearsall clears a lot of bars. He’s a solid route-runner with ample speed and agility. Ball skills are what really kick his game up a notch, though. He made some of the wildest highlight catches of any prospect this year, including his viral one-hander versus Charlotte. Not every catch is that spectacular, but he generally shows good ball-tracking and concentration in traffic. Those are great traits to have for someone who will likely play both inside and outside in the NFL.
Nicknamed Slick Rick, the Florida and Arizona State product is silky smooth with his route running and ability to make circus catches. Remember this one against Charlotte?
https://twitter.com/GatorsFB/status/1705725552009883694?s=20
Pearsall accounted for 965 yards and four touchdowns on 65 receptions to go with 62 yards and two scores on just three touches as a rusher last season with the Gators.
He’s got all of the hallmarks of a successful wideout in the Sean McVay offense — quick release, high IQ route runner, fluid in and out of breaks, great hands, and dangerous after the catch.
The Falcons could find a nice complement to Drake London and Darnell Mooney in Ricky Pearsall. He’s an absolute dog on the football field and would immediately become a fan favorite.
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