We are about a month away from the draft, but there’s not a ton of debate about what the Falcons will do at the No. 8 pick.
Atlanta came into the offseason with an overarching theme of fixing the quarterback position. Terry Fontenot mulled over a potential trade up the draft board; however, the GM quickly turned his attention elsewhere when it became clear that the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots weren’t coming off their selections.
The Falcons’ top target? Kirk Cousins. Fontenot, with the backing of Arthur Blank, went further than Minnesota was willing to go in contract negotiations, offering more in guarantees, years, and average annual value.
Fontenot filled the biggest hole with the best option, setting himself up to do what he’s always done in the draft, take the best player available. Everyone who is anyone believes that player is Dallas Turner.
The Alabama product continues to be the consensus pick among mock drafters, and the folks over at ESPN are no different, with Field Yates saying the pair is a team-prospect fit he loves and Jordan Reid’s pick in the mini mock draft.
Yates: Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner to the Falcons at No. 8. The Falcons’ top two edge rushers from last season — Bud Dupree (age 31) and Calais Campbell (age 37) — are both free agents and unsigned, and the team has done nothing to replace them. Atlanta tied for 21st in sacks (42) and posted the league’s worst pass rush win rate (30.9%) in 2023, and it needs more youth and talent off the edge. Turner would provide exactly that after a 10-sack season. He’s sudden, long and explosive.
8. Reid’s pick for the Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama. With a fully loaded offense after the Cousins signing, attention should pivot to the defense. And that unit sorely lacks a pass-rusher like Turner, who can come in and be a day one starter off the edge.
Mel Kiper, Field Yates, Trevor Sikkema, Jordan Reid, and every other notable draft pundit believes the Falcons will eventually land Dallas Turner, and it’s easy to see why.
The interest is already there, with a pre-draft visit already planned. Atlanta also has a clear need; Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter, and DeAngelo Malone isn’t the most impressive unit. And Turner very well could be the best player available when the Falcons are on the clock.
Because of his athletic profile, he’s got a higher ceiling than any other prospect at his position. The Falcons would be betting on that ability in hopes of helping him realize his full potential, which is that of a premier pass rusher.
—
Photographer: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.