Round 1, Pick 26: DT, Taven Bryan
The Falcons most glaring hole heading into 2018 is defensive tackle, and it is not even close. With Vita Vea and Daron Payne off the board before this pick, the Falcons take what some might consider a reach with the 26th pick. Reaches are not something that Atlanta has shied away from since the arrival of Dan Quinn though, and Bryan definitely has the most potential as a pass rusher out of the top defensive tackle options. At 6’5, 291 pounds, with great speed, he has the versatility to play either inside or outside on occasions. His first step off the ball is extremely quick, but his football instincts are not at an NFL level at this point. Bryan will be another one of Dan Quinn’s projects if selected, and there is not a better coach for him to thrive under.
Round 2, Pick 58: EDGE, Josh SweatÂ
Sweat is one of the most physically intimidating prospects in this draft. A former 5-star athlete coming out of high school, Sweat impressed at Florida State but probably never really lived up to his full potential. The 6′ 4″, 251 pounds edge rusher is big enough to play in a down stance, and athletic enough to play standing up. His 4.53 40-yard dash is ridiculous and would just add more speed to perhaps the fastest defense in the NFL already. His instincts and fundamentals certainly need to improve as he heads to the league, but Atlanta will not need him to step in and start day one. The Falcons take a sigh of relief at the site of his name still being on the board at pick #58 and bet on the potential of Sweat in the second round.
Round 3, Pick 90: OG, Wyatt Teller
Teller switched from defense to offense at Virginia Tech and seemed to really find a home at the offensive guard spot in 2016. ACC scouts and coaches will tell you he was not the same player last season, making this a possible reach, but his flashes of potential in college and outstanding combine performance may just make him worth the risk for Atlanta in the third round. Teller is a rock from top to bottom, standing at 6’4″, 314 pounds and one of the strongest players in the entire draft. With the signing of Brandon Fusco, Teller would not have to come in and be a starter right away. He would be given at least a year to develop, one he might not even need, and could be a huge steal if motivated.
Round 4, Pick 126: TE, Troy Fumagalli
It is likely the Falcons will give Austin Hooper at least one more season to prove he can be the main pass catcher at the tight end position. Atlanta released Levine Toilolo and signed Logan Paulsen in the offseason. Paulsen will serve as a nice blocking tight end in short down situations, but the team will certainly be looking for depth at the position in the draft. Fumagalli is a nice middle round option that can contribute as a blocker and pass catcher in two tight-end sets. He will likely never be the number one tight end on a team and will most likely serve as comparable and necessary depth at the position for Atlanta.
Round 6, Pick 200: WR, Javon Wims
With the departure of Taylor Gabriel, it makes sense for the Falcons to draft a receiver to compete with the in-house options. Wims is a late bloomer in football and has the possibility of being a terrific NFL wide receiver. At 6’6″, with a basketball background, Wims can go up and get it with the best of them. He want from a no-name to a household name at the University of Georgia after transferring from Hinds Community College. This is a sixth-round pick that could actually pay dividends in his first season and carries with him some pretty high future upside.
Round 7, Pick 244: DT, Mike Ramsay
The last round in the draft is often for fliers with some upside, and Mike Ramsay is just that. A Third Team All-ACC member, the former Blue Devil recorded 43 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a 9.5 tackles for loss his senior season. Those are some stats that you would normally see on players taken in days one and two of the draft. However, question marks around his size and explosiveness have Ramsay going undrafted in most mocks. Those are some similar concerns that scouts had regarding Grady Jarrett, and we all know how that turned out. Ramsay has serious potential to make an NFL roster, with terrific strength and speed for his size, and that is really all you can ask for in the seventh round of the draft.