Monday, June 15, 2020

Atlanta Falcons 2021 NFL Mock Draft Roundup

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Atlanta Falcons from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Falcons:

Pro Football Network - DiCecco (6/7)
13) Atlanta Falcons: Shaun Wade, CB Ohio State

Though the Falcons selected Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell in April, it's evident the defense needs more talent when facing explosive offenses like the Saints, Bucs, and Panthers twice a year. Wade, at his best playing the nickel cornerback role, could be the answer for slowing Chris Godwin and D.J. Moore.

Fox Sports - McIntyre (6/7)
15. Atlanta Falcons -- Caden Sterns, DB, Texas

The Falcons didn't have a cornerback or safety crack the Top 55 at their positions according to Pro Football Focus grades. And they're projected to have one of the youngest secondaries in the NFL in 2020. Sterns is an All-American who has been compared to former Longhorn Earl Thomas.

Walter Football (5/19)
12. Atlanta Falcons: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State

The Falcons were reportedly hoping to trade up for Javon Kinlaw, but they couldn't get a deal done. They may target a defensive tackle early in the 2020 NFL Draft unless Marlon Davidson has a great rookie campaign.

Marvin Wilson has outstanding size (6-5, 311) and athleticism, and he is capable of putting consistent pressure on the quarterback.

CBS Sports - Edwards (5/12)
11. Atlanta Falcons: Patrick Surtain II, DB, Alabama

Atlanta parted ways with Desmond Trufant before drafting A.J. Terrell, but it could use another confident cornerback in that secondary. The defense could use more edge rush help, but it is not a strong draft class in that regard.

CBS Sports - Trapasso (5/4)
9. Atlanta Falcons: Patrick Jones II, DL, Pittsburgh

After declining Takk McKinley's fifth-year option, the Falcons are likely to be in the edge-rusher market in next year's draft. Jones has steadily increased his production in his first three seasons at Pittsburgh.

PFF - Renner (4/30)
14. Atlanta Falcons -- WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama

It's easy to see why Smith returned to the Crimson Tide despite a monster junior campaign that saw him rack up 1,256 yards. Listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Smith needs to put some serious muscle on his frame to get selected early next year. Even at that weight, he attacks the ball in the air far better than you'd expect, going 7-for-12 on contested catches last season.

San Diego Union Tribune (4/29)
12. Atlanta (40/1) -- Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

I was shocked when Etienne decided to return for his senior season. He would have been my top running back in the 2020 draft class. He's averaged 7.8 yards per carry (with 518 career carries) and scored 62 total touchdowns in three seasons for the Tigers.

SI - Hanson (4/27)
14. Atlanta Falcons: Xavier Thomas, EDGE, Clemson

This is a bit of a projection as the breakout sophomore campaign that many expected from Thomas in 2019 didn't materialize. The former top-five recruit had 10.5 tackles for loss in 2018, as a true freshman in a reserve role on a line that included three first-round picks. Thomas says he “got that edge back” and if he puts it all together in 2020, he could go even higher than this.

Bleacher Report - Miller (4/27)
10. Atlanta Falcons -- RB Najee Harris, Alabama

In a surprise move, the Atlanta Falcons did not draft a running back in the 2020 class and instead focused on defense, with just one selection coming on offense at center.

That'll change in 2021 with Alabama's Najee Harris, a powerful, athletic, productive runner who would have been a top-three running back had he entered the 2020 class. Harris' vision, strength and burst are eye-opening enough to make the Falcons consider a running back very early in next year's draft.

SB Nation - Kadar (4/27)
12. Atlanta Falcons: Carlos Basham, Edge, Wake Forest

Basham is coming off an impressive junior year when he had 18 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. If second-round pick Marlon Davidson plays inside, the Falcons could use another player on the outside.

The Athletic - Brugler (4/27)
14. Atlanta Falcons -- *Gregory Rousseau, edge, Miami (Fla.)

Rousseau is still very young, but he was unblockable at times on his 2019 film, posting 15.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman. With continued seasoning of his set-up and pass-rush moves, the 6-7, 255-pounder has early first-round potential.


MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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