The Falcons are 1-4 and currently on pace to land pick No. 6 in the 2020 NFL Draft. If this team does continue its downward spiral, it will at least get the chance to add a blue-chip prospect in April.
In a new 2020 mock draft from CBS Sports, Josh Edwards has Atlanta selecting Iowa EDGE A.J. Epenesa:
It is unlikely that Dan Quinn will be back next season, but Epenesa would be a great fit in his scheme. The Falcons defense has been terrible this season and they have been unable to deliver a pass rush. Epenesa can provide some help in that avenue.
With Vic Beasley’s underwhelming performance through five games in a contract year, it makes sense that the Falcons would go in a different direction. Third-year defensive end Takk McKinley is getting good pressure but the sacks just haven’t come. Plus, Adrian Clayborn’s best days are probably behind him at this point in his career.
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Epenesa would give the team an upgrade that either Dan Quinn or a new head coach could use to restore what’s become an almost non-existent pass rush.
Epenesa has nine tackles, two sacks and two passes defended through five games for the Hawkeyes in 2019.
