Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Atlanta Falcons 2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2024 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:

The Draft Network - Ryan Fowler (1/14)

8. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

My EDGE1 in the class, Laiatu Latu won't blow you away with his athletic profile or 40 time, but his hands, strength, and unbelievably deep pass-rush repertoire is beyond his years. I expect him to dominate one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl and boost his stock into the top 10.

San Diego Union-Tribune - Eddie Brown (1/12)

8. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Could Belichick end up coaching the Falcons next season? If so, he'd likely pester GM Terry Fontenot to target Turner in the draft. Turner was overshadowed by Will Anderson Jr. his previous two seasons at Tuscaloosa — he had 8.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2021 — but he's capable of being a star in his own right. This season, the AP All-American added some bulk to his frame and displayed more power to go with his already impressive speed-rush capabilities.

The 33rd Team - Marcus Mosher (1/12)

8. Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Ideally, the Atlanta Falcons would love to move up and get one of the top three quarterbacks in this class. But in this mock, they stay at No. 8 and select the top cornerback: Nate Wiggins.

A.J. Terrell had another strong season in Atlanta, but the Falcons need a better option opposite him. Pairing him with another Clemson Tiger in Wiggins makes too much sense.

NBC Sports - Connor Rogers (1/11)

8. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The first defensive player to come off the board, Turner is as athletic as they come in the front seven. In 2022, so much of his game was built around speed, but the strength strides he made in 2023 have turned him into a top 12 prospect.

He'll play his entire rookie season as a 21-year-old, with a massive pass rush ceiling in front of him.

ESPN - Jordan Reid (1/10)

8. Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

It's no secret the Falcons need a quarterback. But Arthur Smith has been relieved of his coaching duties, and with pressure to win next season, I think Atlanta could go the veteran route under center. With that in mind, adding another pass-rusher makes sense, as the Falcons owned the worst pass rush win rate (30.9%) in the league. Latu has an impressive arsenal of pass-rush moves and has improved as a run defender. He was second in the FBS in pressure rate (20.1%) this season and recorded 23.5 sacks since joining UCLA in 2022.

Medical issues are the biggest question mark here. Latu was forced to sit out two seasons because of a 2020 neck injury while still at Washington. But with a clean bill of health, he would be a no-brainer top-10 pick.

The Athletic - Nick Baumgardner (1/10)

TRADE - 1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Proposed trade: Atlanta receives No. 1; Chicago receives Nos. 8 and 43 plus a future first-round pick and a future second-round pick

Chicago hasn't made a decision yet on Justin Fields. If the Bears decide to move on, this pick will be for a quarterback.

At the same time, the Bears' trade last March with Carolina again puts general manager Ryan Poles in a situation in which he can unload No. 1 for a haul, further build around (or kick the can on) Fields and really charge up an already impressive young roster.

Of all the QB-needy teams, Atlanta's roster is the most ready to win. Now, add a new coach and a new face of the franchise. Williams next to running back Bijan Robinson, in an offense with tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London, might sell a ticket or two.

USA Today - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (1/9)

8. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

The quarterback question is going to hang over the franchise all offseason after Arthur Smith's firing, but there doesn't seem to be a suitable solution here for an otherwise playoff-ready roster. Still, there should be no problem with picking up Turner, a dynamic and explosive edge threat who would recalibrate a lackluster pass rush.

Previous iterations of our mock draft roundup:

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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