The NFL Draft is a couple of weeks away, and Terry Fontenot has to nail it for the Falcons if they want to make any noise in the NFC, hopefully ending a seven-year playoff drought. To do that, not only will he have to hit on the 15th overall pick, but Atlanta’s GM must finally find some production in the later rounds. Here are some sleeper prospects that college football coaches love and could be Falcons targets from ESPN:
Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville Cardinals
“He was a great player for us. … I could see him going in the second, third, fourth or fifth round,” Louisville coach Jeff Brohm told ESPN. “He’s strong, he’s durable, he’s played a lot of football. He’s not your prototypical 6-4, 6-5 defensive end, so he doesn’t have the length, but man, he’s productive, so whoever takes him, wherever they do, it will be a steal, without question.”
Over 50 games in college, Gillotte totaled 26.5 sacks and 40 tackles for loss, with his best season coming in 2023 when he recorded 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss en route to an ACC Championship appearance.
CJ West, DT, Indiana Hoosiers
“I wish we had him for two or three years because you could tell how good he could have been,” Cignetti said.
“He’s got a great personality and was really athletic for a big guy, can move. He really played good football the last half of the season.” Another Big Ten coach said of West, “He’s one who really popped.”
The Kent State transfer blossomed under Curt Cignetti, recording 42 tackles, including seven for loss, and two sacks with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery en route to a College Football Playoff appearance. The Falcons could use a 316-pounder like West in the middle of their defense.
Jonah Monheim, OL, USC Trojans
“He started at guard, tackle and center at USC, which is pretty dang hard to do,” coach Lincoln Riley told ESPN. “His position flexibility, he’s one of the smartest offensive lineman I’ve ever coached, just a tremendous player. Somebody’s going to get a guy who’s going to be a pro for a long time.”
Monheim played all along the USC offensive line. He started mostly at tackle but had four games at guard and then played center, starting 12 games last season. Offensive line depth is important, and the Falcons just watched Drew Dalman walk in free agency, but a reserve lineman who can step into any role is extremely valuable.
Junior Tafuna, DT, Utah Utes
“We asked him to do a lot, and I think that’s what people saw in the Senior Bowl, just how much he could do, the pass rush and how to run to the ball,” a Utah staff member said. “He has great knowledge about football.”
Over four seasons with Utah, Tafuna recorded 108 tackles, including 15 for loss, while adding 7.5 sacks, two interceptions, nine passes defended, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. The Falcons need a menacing interior defender, and Tafuna is a load at 308 pounds.
Jay Toia, DT, UCLA Bruins
“Jay’s being underrated,” Bruins coach DeShaun Foster told ESPN. “He’s somebody that’s going to come in and be like an early leader. He takes it seriously. He likes football when you hear him talking about it. He’s very intelligent and he understands his role and what he’s supposed to be doing.”
Another space eater, Toia weighs a whopping 342 pounds and registered at least 25 tackles in each of the last three seasons. Finding a premier sack artist in the later rounds is next to impossible, but a difference making defensive lineman in the run game is much more plausible.
Ahmed Hassanein, DE, Boise State Broncos
“Wherever he goes, he will not only be a really good defensive player for them, he’ll change their culture,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson told ESPN. “I honestly believe he’s a 10-year NFL guy. How he works, how he loves the game, how he’s a relentless learner, who he is, also athletically, who he is from a physical standpoint, there’s no way he wouldn’t be able to impact a team in his rookie year.”
A 10-year NFL guy in the later rounds is about as good as it gets. He’s a bit undersized at 6-2 and 267 pounds, but “how he works, how he loves the game, how he’s a relentless learner” is how you overcome those shortcomings.
Dan Jackson, S, Georgia Bulldogs
“He’ll be a guy who can be on all the [special] teams, can play safety or nickel,” a Georgia staff member said. “He’s smart. You tell him to do something different one time, he’ll do it. You never have to worry about him.”
Somehow, Jackson didn’t get an invite to the NFL Combine, but the former walk-on can play football. He earned All-SEC honors after a 64-tackle season that also included two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. The Falcons could use more depth in the secondary, and Jackson would do anything he possibly could to help his team.
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