Todd McShay has been a staple of the draft community for years, and while I don’t always agree with his picks, you can’t say they’re boring. The Falcons must have fallen below their quota of Alabama wide receivers, because McShay has Atlanta taking Jameson Williams 8th overall in his first 2022 Mock Draft.
2022 Mock 1.0 is here. Have at it… https://t.co/l6jJLalQoe
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) December 14, 2021
I actually don’t think this is a horrible mock, and I don’t hate the pick for the Falcons, but there are a few issues. Here’s McShay’s rationale:
Will the Falcons upgrade in the trenches on either side of the ball? Atlanta is by far the worst in the NFL with just 16 sacks, and its offensive line is allowing pressure at the NFL’s ninth-highest rate (31.7%). Could quarterback be the move after the Falcons opted to use the No. 4 pick on tight end Kyle Pitts in 2021, rather than get a QB of the future? It’s a tough call, but I see them riding Matt Ryan — who has played well — another year, adopting a “best available” strategy here for a roster full of holes and then addressing QB in a better-stocked 2023 class.
And best available right now might just be Williams, who has tons of speed, elusiveness as a ball carrier and sure hands. His 1,445 receiving yards, 15 TD catches and 21.3 yards per catch all rank in the FBS’ top five. Paired with Pitts and Calvin Ridley (who is out right now to focus on his mental health), Williams could do damage.
McShay correctly identifies the issues on Atlanta’s defense, but he thinks receiver is a bigger need. There’s a chance the Falcons are without Calvin Ridley permanently, and that cannot be understated. He is also correct that the Falcons should take a best player available approach. I’m very high on Jameson Williams and have been since Alabama’s opener against Miami. However, I think there are WAY too many talented players on the edge and in the secondary for Atlanta to pass up here. The Falcons are still 32nd in DVOA. If you want Williams, trade back and try to get some more picks to bolster the secondary and the trenches. This is a deep wide receiver class, and perhaps a guy like Jahan Dotson, George Pickens, or David Bell would be available with one of Atlanta’s extra second round picks.
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