Regardless of the outlet or pundit, every mock draft has the Falcons taking a defender.
Whether it’s Dallas Turner or Jared Verse, Quinyon Mitchell, or another defensive prospect, nobody is expecting the Falcons to take an offensive player, let alone another skill player.
Terry Fontenot has spent three consecutive top 10 picks on skill players in Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson, setting Kirk Cousins up to succeed in Atlanta. The team’s GM went out and signed Darnell Mooney to a three-year deal to bolster the receiving core, but that shouldn’t rule the Falcons out of drafting another pass catcher.
Fontenot has been consistent in his approach as Atlanta’s GM — drafting the best player available. Many believe the Falcons will draft a defender, specifically an edge defender, but I wouldn’t be so sure.
If the Falcons have an offensive prospect rated much higher, I believe they’ll take them, which is exactly what The Draft Network has them doing in their latest mock draft, trading up with the Chargers for LSU star Malik Nabers.
5. Atlanta Falcons (via trade-up w/ LAC)
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
The Falcons continue their aggressive offseason and move up to draft a player who some believe may be the best receiver in the draft, Malik Nabers. Nabers is an explosive player who is a home run threat. The combination of Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Nabers will give the Falcons one of the best offenses on paper.
In 2023, Nabers was graded as PFF’s top receiver in the country following a campaign in which he caught 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named a consensus All-American and became LSU’s career leader for catches and receiving yards — ahead of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.
He’s the closest thing to Tyreek Hill I’ve seen coming out of college, and whoever drafts him is getting a bonafide star that can take any catch to the house. The Falcons would be arguably the most talented offense in the NFL on paper with Malik Nabers.
If Atlanta went that way, nobody should be too upset because The Draft Network has the Falcons addressing the edge unit in the second round with Missouri product Darius Robinson.
What would you think about Malik Nabers coming to Atlanta?
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Photographer: John Korduner/Icon Sportswire
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