The Falcons have taken pass catchers in back-to-back draft cycles. Kyle Pitts was the highest-drafted tight end in history, and Drake London was the first receiver off the board last year; the club is apparently not done bolstering the position either.
Multiple insiders are reporting the Falcons are targeting receivers on Day 2. Matt Miller of ESPN reaffirmed a report from Mel Kiper.
“The source also mentioned wide receiver and safety as areas Atlanta will attack on Day 2 of the draft,” Miller stated. Kiper, on the other hand gave more tangible information, including a few prospects.
“(Mississippi’s) Jonathan Mingo would be another big receiver,” Kiper said via the AJC. “If you want a slot guy, it would be Josh Downs from North Carolina. So, they have some options there if they want to go receiver there either slot or wide.”
There will be several options for the Falcons. Mingo and Downs are intriguing players with completely different skill sets. Another prospect Kiper mentioned was Jalin Hyatt.
“Or at that point, what receiver would be there who’d be intriguing? Jalin Hyatt from Tennessee. He’s a speed option. If he’s around at that point, I thought about giving him to Atlanta. He didn’t run … as fast as we thought he would at the (NFL) combine.
“He ran 4.4 instead of 4.28. He’s got to add some poundage to that frame. Maybe 10 pounds to that frame and maybe get a little stronger. He’s a take-the-top-off-the-defense receiver. He was phenomenal for (Tennessee quarterback) Hendon Hooker.”
The Falcons are seemingly in the market for another pass catcher to pair long-term with Drake London. Downs and Hyatt are closer in terms of their skill sets, but Mingo is closer to London.
From Arthur Smith’s days in Tennessee, I would put money on the big bodied pass catcher with RAC ability to be the selection. AJ Brown and Corey Davis are perfect examples of this, and London also fits the mold.
One thing is clear, though: the Falcons will be adding to the receiver room. The future of the position isn’t bright. Drake London is the only player worthwhile currently under contract.
We’ll see which direction the Falcons go in the draft later this month. There are plenty of other prospects that could be available in the second round. Jordan Addison out of USC is an interesting possibility. Zay Flowers and Tyler Scott are dangerous with the ball in their hands too.
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Photographer: David Jensen/Icon Sportswire
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