The Atlanta Falcons are near the bottom of the league in terms of salary cap space entering the offseason. With several holes to plug, the team must find help in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Fortunately, the Falcons hold pick No. 16 in the first round, along with two second-round picks, giving GM Thomas Dimitroff a chance to find a couple immediate contributors.
Our friends over at Draft Wire released a new four-round mock draft. Let’s take a look at the five players Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling is projecting to Atlanta in his latest mock.
Round 1 (Pick 16): EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson — LSU
2019 Stats: 60 tackles (36 solo), 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes deflected
Draft Wire Analysis: This entire defensive front needs help in a bad way, as the Falcons have failed to generate any sort of formidable pass rush. This pick is about finding the best value, whether it’s along the interior or on the edge. Chaisson is an explosive rusher with a wide range of effective moves, and would be a perfect pick to either push or supplant Vic Beasley or Takk McKinley.
Round 2 (Pick 47): DL Rashard Lawrence — LSU
2019 Stats: 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Falcons Wire Analysis: Another LSU player that could help Atlanta’s defensive line right away. Lawrence is a physically dominant interior defensive lineman with great burst, but lacking refinement as a pass rusher. He has a high floor and a very high ceiling as he could develop next to Grady Jarrett. This scenario would be an absolute home run for GM Thomas Dimitroff. By landing Lawrence and Chaisson in the first two rounds, the team would be getting the perfect mix of value and need.
Watch Lawrence (No. 90) play against Georgia below:
Round 2 (Pick 55): RB Cam Akers — FSU
2019 Stats: 231 carries, 1,144 rush yards, 14 TDs; 30 catches, 225 rec. yards, 4 TDs
Falcons Wire Analysis: Akers is someone we mocked to the Falcons a few weeks ago. If the team moves on from Devonta Freeman, which sounds more and more likely, replacing him with another Florida State standout would make sense. Akers isn’t a power back by any means, but he has great lateral ability and good burst when he sees a hole. He is a capable receiving threat and has a knack for finding the end zone (18 touchdowns in 2019).
Here’s Akers (No. 3) playing against Boise State last season:
Round 3 (Pick 78): IOL Cesar Ruiz — Michigan
2019 Stats: Started 13 games
Falcons Wire Analysis: Ruiz takes a good draft and makes it a dream scenario for Atlanta. With upgrades at EDGE, DT, RB and now a versatile center/guard with short and long-term value, the Falcons would be in great shape through three rounds. Center Alex Mack is getting up there in age — although still a very productive player — so finding his eventual replacement, while adding competition at left guard in 2020 would make Ruiz a solid addition.
Here’s Ruiz (No. 51) playing against Florida:
Round 4 (Pick 109): LB Chris Orr — Wisconsin
2019 Stats: 78 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
Falcons Wire Analysis: Orr is someone we just looked at earlier this week. With De’Vondre Campbell’s future uncertain in Atlanta, linebacker becomes another need in 2020. Orr is the perfect addition for a team looking for depth right away, and a potential starter down the line. This is a best case scenario for both the Falcons and Orr himself. He could be a great fit next to Deion Jones.
