Sadly, if you’re a Mock Draft Monday fan, this is the last one I’m going to do during the NFL regular season. However, these are going to shift away from “mixing up the picks” to what I actually think the Falcons should do. I’ve gotten a decent amount of scouting done, and I think there’s a lot of talented players at multiple positions of need for the Falcons. Alex broke down how high and low this Falcons pick could end up, but for now, I’ll stick with where The Draft Network‘s draft simulator has them picking. If you think I missed a player, I may have already broken them down in a previous week:
Round 1, Pick 10: EDGE David Ojabo – Michigan
I’ve said on multiple occasions that I think the Falcons should target a cornerback with their first pick and address the trenches in free agency, but the potential of David Ojabo makes him a very worthwhile selection at 10th overall. Ojabo only started playing football a few years ago, but his body and athleticism are something out of a video game. He had been terrorizing quarterbacks until Michigan met Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Ojabo has the potential to be your franchise cornerstone pass rusher. While I would prefer a cornerback, it’s really hard to pass that opportunity up.
Round 2, Pick 45: IOL Zion Johnson – Boston College
Once again, I would rather address the offensive line in free agency, but like with Ojabo — Johnson is too talented to pass up on here. While I’d be in favor of bringing in a guy like James Daniels, Johnson could be an immediate plug-and-play starter over Jalen Mayfield, who has given up the most sacks in the NFL. Johnson is very technically sound, and he could be another Boston College stud guard alongside Chris Lindstrom.
Round 2, Pick 63 (From Tennessee): WR John Metchie III – Alabama
While Metchie isn’t the best wide receiver in this class, I think he’s a victim of being pushed down the board by some absolute monsters at the position. He could easily be a first round pick in a lot of other classes. Metchie is a player who can get vertical and create a ton of seperation, something the Falcons have sorely missed for a long time. It’s only fitting the Falcons replace one Alabama receiver with another using the pick they got for him, right?
Round 3, Pick 79: CB Kyler Gordon – Washington
Gordon’s athleticism is second to none, and the Washington product will probably fly up draft boards when the combine comes around. For now, I’d absolutely take him at 79. He has the instincts, ball skills, athleticism, and body to serve as a starting outside corner in the NFL. Pairing him up with Terrell, Hawkins, Grant, and Oliver gives the Falcons a solid young foundation to build on in the secondary.
Round 4, Pick 114: RB James Cook – Georgia
Running back isn’t a huge need for Atlanta, but I’m not passing on James Cook here. I think Cook has some Alvin Kamara-esque potential in his game, and the fact that he’s a threat in the pass game should appeal to Arthur Smith. He’s another guy who may climb up draft boards, especially if he shows out in the National Championship a week from today.
Round 5, Pick 152: EDGE Sam Williams – Ole Miss
Sam Williams happened to be at the top of the board, and he was making a lot of nice plays against Baylor in the Sugar Bowl. He doesn’t project to be a high-profile edge rusher, but I think he could be part of a solid rotational group — something the Falcons sorely need. He can also set the edge in the run game, and that’s something that’s valuable with a fifth round pick.
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