Senior Bowl alum are well represented in Atlanta. The Falcons have regularly dipped into Jim Nagy’s showcase under the new regime, and we can only expect that trend to continue. This year’s class is sure to produce some intriguing prospects. Here are the defenders the Falcons could have their eyes on. The offensive edition of this series is below:
EDGE
Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern; Andre Carter II, Army; Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame; Derick Hall, Auburn; K.J Henry, Clemson
Andre Carter was made in a football lab, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 270 pounds. He posted an eye-popping 14.5 sacks and 17.0 tackles for loss in 2021 but couldn’t quite maintain that production this past season. Scouts consider him raw, but the physical gifts are apparent. Foskey is a career Notre Dame man, spending four seasons with the Irish, posting 25 sacks. He’s another physically menacing EDGE defender, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 260 pounds. Both prospects are incredibly versatile.
Interior Defensive Line
Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin; Zacch Pickens, South Carolina; Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma; Keion White, Georgia Tech
Benton is an enticing prospect and would bolster Atlanta’s interior. The Falcons desperately need someone to pair with Grady Jarrett, and the Wisconsin product is a potential target. Pickens is a towering human being at 6-foot-4 and weighing over 300 pounds. He’s not as proven as Benton, but he’s ripe with potential. Redmond is a tweener who could likely bulk up to stick along the interior or shed a few pounds to stay on the EDGE. He’s got experience all over the line of scrimmage so that versatility should intrigue the Falcons.
Off Ball Linebacker
DeMarvion Overshown, Texas; Daiyan Henley, Washington State; Ivae Pace Jr., Cincinnati; Henry To’o To’o, Alabama; Dee Winters, TCU
The Falcons seemingly believe Troy Andersen is the future at the position, but having two ultra-athletic linebackers does wonder for modern NFL defenses. Henley is one of the oldest prospects entering the draft, spending five seasons at Nevada and the 2022 campaign at Washington State, where he posted 106 total tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks. He’s a bit small for the position, but the potential is there. To’o To’o is a rangy linebacker but is also small; however, from what I’ve seen, he doesn’t play small.
Safety
Sydney Brown, Illinois; JL Skinner, Boise State; Jammie Robinson, FSU; Christopher Smith, Georgia; Jay Ward, LSU
Out of all of these prospects, Smith and Ward are the ones I’m most familiar with. After returning for his senior season, Christopher Smith turned in an All-American season for the Dawgs. His intangibles are apparently off the charts, but he’s no physical slouch. Smith’s stature might be slight, but he doesn’t play like it. He’s physical and can play multiple roles in coverage. Ward is another smaller safety prospect who doesn’t play like it. He’s the perfect modern-day nickel. I would love it if the Falcons targeted either of these players.
Cornerbacks
Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford; Julius Brents, Kansas State; Darrell Luter Jr., South Alabama; Tyrique Stevenson, Miami; Rejzohn Wright, Oregon State
Many would consider Kyu Blu Kelly the top corner prospect in Mobile. He’s a physical, press-man-style corner with plus athleticism but struggles in zone responsibilities. He’s got legit potential if he finds the right scheme. Brents doesn’t look like a cornerback. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 210 pounds, and that size shows when he defends the run. With pass catchers like Kyle Pitts, Travis Kelce, and DK Metcalf dominating the league, having a big corner to match up with them could intrigue the Falcons.
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