Mel Kiper’s 2-round mock draft has Falcons involved with a trade, a quarterback, and a defender

In Mel Kiper’s most recent two-round mock draft, the Falcons trade down from the fourth overall pick to the Dolphins’ sixth overall pick, but they still get Matt Ryan‘s successor as Trey Lance falls. Kiper noted that he didn’t think it would cost the Dolphins a first-round pick in 2022 and would be closer to a second and third-round pick next year for Miami to move up two spots. It’s tough to guess the cost of the fourth overall pick, especially since the Falcons have been rumored to be listening to everything. With the Dolphins taking Kyle Pitts, Kiper believes the Falcons are rebuilding and can let Lance sit behind Matt Ryan in his reasoning:

 

So new general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith move down two spots, add extra assets for a rebuilding team and still get a franchise quarterback. The 20-year-old Lance is green — he started just 17 games in college, all against FCS competition. The Falcons can let him sit behind Matt Ryan for at least a season. And here’s a list Lance will join (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information): Since the 2006 draft, six quarterbacks with fewer than 20 college starts have been taken in the first round: Mitchell Trubisky (13), Cam Newton (14), Dwayne Haskins Jr. (14), Mark Sanchez (16), Kyler Murray (17) and Ryan Tannehill (19). There is some risk involved in picking a young, unproven quarterback this high.

 

The idea of selecting Lance while acquiring more draft capital in the process is attractive because the former North Dakota State Bison would benefit from learning behind someone like Matt Ryan. Kiper then addressed the other side of the football with the Falcons 35th overall pick by selecting Gregory Rousseau. His reasoning:

 

The 6-foot-7 Rousseau had 15.5 sacks in 2019 before opting out of last season, but he’s a tough evaluation. He doesn’t have elite athletic traits, and that showed up on the film. The Falcons could use some edge-rushing help, though.

 

The former Miami Hurricane’s combination of functional strength and agility makes him a versatile defender for someone like Dean Pees who prefers to run a multiple front defense. In college, he lined up on the edge and inside in sub-packages — effective when rushing over guards. I would still prefer someone like Asante Samuel Jr over Rousseau, but addressing the offensive line, defensive line, or defensive backfield with Atlanta’s second-round pick is necessary.