The Atlanta Falcons have lengthy constructed their roster via the NFL Draft. Franchise legends Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, even previous greats Jamal Anderson and Deion Sanders got here through the draft. Now they’ve April’s occasion to nail — as Atlanta builds round final 12 months’s prime 10 decide Michael Penix Jr.
However earlier than the Falcons ship entrance workplace personnel to Inexperienced Bay, we channel common supervisor Terry Fontenot via the PFF mock draft simulator. This simulation allowed us to see who Atlanta nabs with its two alternatives via the primary three rounds.
The Falcons maintain the No. 15 general decide within the first spherical. Then do not choose till the forty sixth decide. So who does Fontenot seize for head coach Raheem Morris and Penix? Time to take a dive.
Spherical 1, Decide 15 — Sort out Kelvin Banks, Texas
The Banks choice breaks a serious development for Atlanta.
The Falcons added explosive talent place gamers of their final 4 draft courses. Kyle Pitts began the motion in 2021. Huge receiver Drake London adopted the tight finish by touchdown at No. 8 within the 2022 draft. Operating again Bijan Robinson got here subsequent within the subsequent draft after which the QB Penix a 12 months later.
However the latter prime 10 decide will get a lot wanted trench assist. Penix took 4 sacks in his three begins. Atlanta surrendered 32 whole sacks final season.
Atlanta has three free agent tackles forward of the 2025 offseason. That features proper tackles Storm Norton and Brandon Parker. Banks, although, protected the blindside of Quinn Ewers at Texas.
Banks confirmed stellar safety in his three seasons in Austin. He easily set the safety along with his gliding ft and disrupted go rushers from there. He can even intersect defenders on pull blocks and screens — making a harmful path for his receivers and working backs.
The 6-foot-4, 324-pounder is not thought of the perfect sort out of this class. However he is worthy of first spherical consideration. Atlanta and Penix earn main assist right here. Similar with Robinson, as he will get a blocker who performed in a 55-45 run-pass cut up ran by Steve Sarkisian. Banks’ arrival might elevate Robinson’s speeding yardage above the 1,456 yards he tallied.
Boston Faculty guard Chris Lindstrom is without doubt one of the final OLs to land in Atlanta within the first spherical. Lindstrom went No. 19 general within the 2019 class. However Washington star sort out Kaleb McGary additionally went to the Falcons because of the Los Angeles Rams. Atlanta traded as much as No. 31 to nab McGary.
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Spherical 2, Decide 46 — Edge J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
The nationwide champion from the Buckeyes turns into a present fall for Atlanta. Particularly for Morris, given his in depth defensive background.
Tuimoloau is a fiery and relentless ball of power off the sting. He comes with violent higher physique power in opposition to blockers. Tuimoloau turns to his lengthy, muscular limbs to shed offensive linemen and chase after the ball.
The 6-foot-5, 269-pounder defeated blockers off bull rushes. That transfer collapsed pockets and created discomfort for quarterbacks. However he additionally hit tackles with a depraved spin transfer as he turned to the full-on bull rush.
He wants so as to add extra hand strikes into his toolbox, although. Tuimoloau regarded too reliant on solely the 2 aforementioned strikes. He’ll have to develop faster arms and belief his appendages to beat blockers. Offensive tackles nonetheless beat him off initiating the primary contact. Tuimoloau, although, turned to his power to turn into arduous to maneuver from there.
However Atlanta ought to love his availability. Tuimoloau by no means suffered any important accidents in Columbus. He is a blue-collar defender who can add muscle to the line of defense. Atlanta wants go rush assist with Matt Judon, Lorenzo Carter, and Kentavious Avenue all heading to free company.
The Falcons want to repair their go rush. Atlanta produced solely 31 sacks and the highest sack chief, Arnold Ebeketie, delivered solely six sacks. Atlanta should get after the passer higher — particularly with Bryce Younger and Baker Mayfield on the schedule twice a 12 months. Tuimoloau is a stable reply to start out addressing Atlanta’s go speeding woes.
Total, Fontenot and the Falcons lure in two stable items to bolster their possibilities of profitable the NFC South. Atlanta earns a “B” grade off these mock alternatives.