One position the Falcons might be fine to ignore this offseason is linebacker. Currently, they have a linebacker group under contract that includes Pro Bowler Deion Jones, promising young weak-side linebacker Foye Oluokun, the versatile De’Vondre Campbell and solid depth in the form of Duke Riley, Bruce Carter and Jermaine Grace. That depth chart has enough talent to be one of the best linebacker groups in the NFL.
The real question comes after 2019. Jones, Campbell and Carter all have their contracts ending at the end of the 2019 season. Riley and Grace would be out of their contracts and control after 2020. So, the Falcons need to look into potentially adding some depth for the future. Here are six linebacker prospects for Atlanta to consider in the 2019 NFL draft.
Round 1: LB Devin White, Louisiana State
The Falcons already have a guy that people compare Devin White to in Deion Jones. White is a better stack-and-shed run defender than Jones, but as a pass coverage linebacker, Jones is better. They could learn from each other. The linebacker corps could be scary good with White, Jones and Oluokun or Campbell starting in the base defense.
White is also one of the bigger leaders out of Baton Rouge and would be a welcome addition to the brotherhood in Atlanta. The Falcons might want to help him with a couple things technique wise, but he’s one of the most polished linebackers to come out of the draft since Patrick Willis or Luke Kuechly. He’s a plug-and-play day one starter at either Mike or Will.
Round 2: LB Mack Wilson, Alabama
Mack Wilson may not be as technically refined as Devin White or as explosive even as De’Vondre Campbell. But he is one of the better run defenders in this draft class and shows promise in his coverage abilities.
Wilson fits in well with the undersized linebackers that the Falcons like to utilize and hits with that true “run and hit,” or as Dan Quinn would say, “fast and physical” mentality. Most of Wilson’s problems are mental, though. He needs to get better at reading what the offense is doing and anticipating the play rather than just reacting to what’s in front of him.
Round 3: LB Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame
While they should have taken Stephon Tuitt over Ra’Shede Hageman back in 2014, the Falcons have somewhat ignored Notre Dame prospects. They shouldn’t do that this year if they think that Drue Tranquill could be the right piece to compete with Oluokun at starting weak-side linebacker.
A team captain for the Fighting Irish, Tranquill has the kind of off-field personality and on-field competitiveness that Quinn loves. On top of that, he has the speed and size that make him look like a prototype fit at either outside linebacker spot.
Round 4: LB Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State
One potential situation to monitor for the Falcons is that De’Vondre Campbell could leave in free agency after the 2019 season. To replace him, the Falcons will need to bring in a strong-side linebacker prototype. And there are few better for what the Atlanta likes to do than Terrill Hanks. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound physical specimen could come in and provide a third sideline-to-sideline linebacker.
With Oluokun, Jones and Hanks starting in 2020, the Falcons could have the speed at linebacker that rivals most team’s safeties and nickel corners. Hanks has some issues with angles and wrapping up at times, but once he gets those under control, he could thrive in Atlanta’s one-gap scheme as a strong-side linebacker.
Round 5: LB Ulysees Gilbert, Akron
Ulysees Gilbert has the size and speed to fit within the Falcons’ guidelines at the position. He also has some coverage ability and gets around blockers well. However, he’s definitely a project. He is smaller than most Atlanta linebackers and could stand to add a couple of pounds.
Early on, the Akron product could really benefit the Falcons as a special teams contributor. He’s one of the better open field tacklers in the draft and with his speed, he could fly down the field and impact returners into making the wrong cut.
Round 6: LB Sione Takitaki, Brigham Young
Brigham Young used Sione Takitaki everywhere when he was playing linebacker for them. He’s a bit older, as most BYU players are. But Takitaki’s experience in both life and on the football field as a four-year starter will be beneficial to him in the NFL. He could easily come in and provide an immediate impact on special teams with his speed and hitting abilities.
