The Falcons focused on offense in free agency with their signings of guards James Carpenter and Jamon Brown plus tight end Luke Stocker and running back Kenjon Barner. As a result, Atlanta has shored up what was already a loaded offense for the most part.
There’s still quite a few spots on defense for them to address, though. In this strong defensive draft class, their nine picks could really help the unit in a big way. Our latest mock has the Falcons going all-defense through seven rounds.
Round 1, No. 14 overall: DT Ed Oliver, Houston
Ed Oliver is one of the best college defensive line prospects in years. His raw strength, great leverage and insane quickness make him unique among players in this draft class. His most likely NFL comparison early in his career is a prime Rod Coleman, but his long-term potential is closer to that of Aaron Donald. The sky is the limit for Oliver and playing next to Grady Jarrett would allow him the luxury of seeing more single-team protections than he saw in college.
Round 2, No. 45 overall: EDGE Chase Winovich, Michigan
Chase Winovich’s selection this high shouldn’t be a shock. He’s an exceptional run defender, forcing quite a few plays to finish for a loss in his time at Michigan. On top of being able to set the edge efficiently, he’s one of the better pass rushers in college football. His athleticism off the edge compares to Jerry Hughes. Winovich could replace Vic Beasley as early as 2020.
Round 3, No. 79 overall: CB Isaiah Johnson, Houston
It’s not often you find a first-round caliber athlete in the third round. Isaiah Johnson compares well to Aqib Talib. He’s a tall, long cornerback in the perfect Dan Quinn mold with added speed and agility on top. Adding Johnson to the cornerback group would give the Falcons an ideal outside corner, allowing Desmond Trufant to play in the slot in nickel situations should Damontae Kazee not be able due to injuries. He’s also got ball skills, which Atlanta could use more of.
Round 4, No. 117 overall: DT Daylon Mack, Texas A&M
Daylon Mack is the perfect addition to the interior defensive line rotation. He’s a thicker, nose tackle-type player Atlanta could use in base defenses to help recoup what they lost when Dontari Poe left last year. Mack profiles similar to Vince Wilfork and could be used in a similar fashion in Atlanta’s scheme as a true 1-technique nose tackle in some 4-3 sets and also allow the Falcons to run some 0-technique in 3-4.
Round 4, No. 137 overall: S Ugochukwu Amadi, Oregon
Ugochukwu Amadi from Oregon is a great fit for the Falcons single-high scheme. He’s got excellent range and an athletic profile that isn’t much different than Ricardo Allen. He’s more of an instinctual ball-hawker than a true hitter on the back end. On top of what he’d bring to the table on defense, Amadi would feel at home on the special teams unit under new coach Ben Kotwica.
Round 5, No. 152 overall: LB Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington
Atlanta seems set at linebacker, but after 2019, only Duke Riley and Foye Oluokun are under contract. Ben Burr-Kirven is very similar to Justin Durant and he would give the team some needed depth at the position. He’s a smart player in coverage and a solid wrap up tackler. Adding Burr-Kirven to the mix would at least give the Falcons another player for long-term depth and special teams ability.
Round 5, No. 172 overall: CB Hamp Cheevers, Boston College
Adding someone to compete at nickel with Damontae Kazee would be a wise move and Hamp Cheevers is the right player to do it. His athletic profile compares well to former Falcons corner Brent Grimes. At Boston College, he was highly productive, bringing in seven interceptions as a senior. On top of that, he showed solid form tackling despite not being able to deliver much of a pop.
Round 6, No. 186 overall: S Sheldrick Redwine, Miami
At strong safety, the Falcons have no true depth behind Keanu Neal to write home about. Adding an athletic talent like Sheldrick Redwine to back Neal up as well as add to the special teams unit would be a huge asset for the team. Redwine hits like a Mack truck and has comparable athletic testing numbers to Derwin James.
Round 7, No. 230 overall: DL John Cominsky, Charleston
John Cominsky out of Charleston could the long-term solution at base defensive end. A true athletic specimen, his size could make him well-suited for a role as an interior kick blocker similar to how the Falcons used Ra’Shede Hageman throughout the 2015 and 2016 seasons on special teams.
