Day 3 draft fit for Falcons was once projected as first-round pick

The Falcons have had a decent amount of success finding contributors on Day 3 of the draft under Terry Fontenot.

Drew Dalman has turned into one of the better centers in the league, and before suffering a season-ending injury last year, Avery Williams was establishing himself as a special teams ace.

Tyler Allgeier went on to break the franchise’s rookie rushing record in 2022, while Clark Phillips and DeMarrco Hellams supplanted highly drafted players last year.

If this year’s rookie class is the same, we can expect at least one or two contributors from the back of the Falcons 2024 draft class, and it could be a once highly touted prospect. Pro Football Focus’ Day 3 draft fit for the Falcons is Kalen King, who some pundits had as a first-round prospect following his impressive 2022 season at Penn State.

Atlanta Falcons: CB Kalen King, Penn State

A year ago, the idea that King could be available on Day 3 would have seemed impossible. But he earned just a 55.7 PFF coverage grade in 2023, tumbling his draft stock in the process. The 2022 campaign was much better, with King earning a 90.6 PFF coverage grade and recording a combined 12 interceptions and pass breakups.

Kalen King was once an All-American but has since struggled on the field. He went from leading the Big Ten in pass breakups in 2022 with 21 to just two in 2023.

Marvin Harrison Jr. embarrassed him in Penn State’s biggest game of the season against Ohio State. Normally, players shouldn’t hang their heads if a guy like Marvin Harrison Jr. gets the best of them, but it was that bad…

There’s no telling what kind of player King will be at the NFL level, but the Falcons have had some success in the later rounds, and if he lands in Atlanta, you have to feel good about his transition when learning behind A.J. Terrell.

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