Falcons 2022 Draft: Birds last in sacks

[atlantabbq99]

Falcons were last place in team sacks last season with 18. 2nd to last place was Phili with 29. Those numbers are just embarrassing. I've never seen such a worst defensive line.

Unless Malik Willis falls to the 2nd round, I would use the first two picks on defense.

I would take any two dawgs available in the first two rounds...

Devonte Wyatt
Nakobe Dean
Travon Walker
Jordan Davis

[atlantabbq99]

Travon Walker is now #1 on my board. If Walker and Thibodeaux are both available to the Falcons, i would take Walker over Thibodeaux, but I would still be happy with either guy.

[Jamaaliver]

I'd like to see us trade out of the top-10, grab a QB later in the 1st round and have a total of 6 picks in the first three rounds.

That would really allow us to build depth with a half dozen top flight young players at various positions. As far as I'm concerned, we're rebuilding from scratch with Matty Ice and Cal Ridley no longer here.

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Malik Willis - Liberty

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

2021 Stats: 2,857 passing yards, 27 TD, 12 INT; 878 rushing yards, 13 TD

Analysis: Willis has the strongest arm in this draft class and is also the best overall athlete. He has that big-play ability that you love, but he can also try to do too much at times and take unnecessary risks. Not everyone agrees that he’s worthy of a top-10 pick, but the upside is worth the risk in my opinion. Given some time, Arthur Smith could build a dangerous offense around Willis in Atlanta.

Kenny Pickett - Pittsburgh

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

2021 Stats: 4,319 passing yards, 42 TD, 7 INT; 241 rushing yards, 5 TD

Analysis: The Pitt QB had a remarkable season, but he’s considered a bit of a one-year wonder. In both 2019 and 2020, Pickett threw for 13 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Then in 2021, he more than tripled his touchdown total (42) and improved his game in just about every aspect. Pickett has a relatively good arm and isn’t afraid to sling it around (despite his “undersized” hands). He’s not really a threat to scramble but has more mobility than Matt Ryan and doesn’t throw a ton of interceptions (seven INT in 2021). Pickett is another prospect that will probably go in the top 10 even though scouts are split on his NFL upside.

Desmond Ridder - Cincinnati

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

2021 Stats: 3,334 passing yards, 30 TD, 8 INT; 355 rushing yards, 6 TD

Analysis: Ridder could go anywhere from the middle of the first round, to the late second depending on who you listen to. A great season was capped off with an underwhelming performance against a vastly superior Alabama team, but the Cincinnati signal-caller improved every year as a starter. Ridder’s decision-making ability and ball placement remind me a little bit of Russell Wilson. He can run a little bit as well, but his thin frame is somewhat concerning. Ridder would be a good fit running Arthur Smith’s play-action heavy offense in Atlanta.

Carson Strong - Nevada

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

2021 Stats: 4,192 passing yards, 36 TD, 8 INT

Analysis: Strong is arguably the best pocket passer in this draft and the Nevada standout improved each of the past three seasons. There are some concerns over his knee injury, which is likely to hurt his draft stock. Still, Strong has an NFL-caliber arm can can sling it with the best of them, despite being a bit of a statue. If you give him a running game, Strong could be a good developmental option with starter potential down the line.

Sam Howell - North Carolina

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

2021 Stats: 3,056 passing yards, 24 TD, 9 INT; 828 rushing yards, 11 TD

Analysis: In many ways, Howell is the most complete quarterback in this draft class. The UNC standout currently projects as a late-first-round pick. Entering the year as one of the top passers, Howell established himself as a true dual-threat option (828 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns) in 2021. I don’t expect him to be as much of a ground threat in the NFL, but his pocket mobility would definitely help him succeed behind Atlanta’s offensive line.

[atlantabbq99]

I'd like to see us trade out of the top-10, grab a QB later in the 1st round and have a total of 6 picks in the first three rounds.

I would stay at 8 and see if Walker or Thibodeaux or Hamilton fall to eight. But ya, if all 3 are gone, then i would trade out and try to get Dean, Davis, or a CB

If Willis or Pickett start to slip, i would package #43 and #58 to get the highest draft spot i could get and get a QB.

[atlantabbq99]

^ I would actually package #58 and Grady Jarret (maybe throw in #43) to move up the draft to get Willis or Pickett

[atlantabbq99]

I changed my mind. I'm starting to like Matt Corral alittle more than Willis and Pickett. I'm ok with passing on Willis now and seeing if Corral or Pickett falls to the Falcons in the 2nd round.

I would find the best offers for Grady or Jake and try to get an extra 1st or 2nd pick for Grady or Jake

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[atlantabbq99]

^ This is probably the worst mock i've seen for 2022.

Ridder goes in the top 10 and Travon Walker goes in the 2nd round

[atlantabbq99]

Should the Hawks trade up to #6?

Panthers want a QB and will still probably get the QB they want at #8.

If Walker or Thibs fall to #6, should the Hawks trade up to #6?

[atlantabbq99]

Before the combine i wanted Walker but now after the combine, it looks like Walker might be a top 5 pick. With that said, if Walker and Thibs are not there at #8, im starting to be ok with Jordan Davis at #8 or trading back and still picking up Jordan Davis in the mid first round.

[HMFFL]

NFL.com's Tom Pelissero reported that an NFC offensive coordinator believes that Liberty QB Malik Willis is a better prospect than both San Francisco QB Trey Lance and Chicago QB Justin Fields.

The 2021 draft class was loaded with quarterback talent that was widely considered great. Both Lance and Fields were consensus top-15 selections in the NFL Draft and were selected as such. Having Willis (6'1/215) ranked above both of them is an eyebrow-raiser because he is not nearly as refined in the technical elements of the game. Pelissero also noted that an AFC general manager said "I think people are a little short-sighted with that kid" which is a direct reference to his dominant athletic traits. This was alluding to both Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes also had coming out as well. As the NFL continues to evolve, prioritizing dominant athletic traits looks closer to becoming the norm. 

SOURCE: Tom Pelissero

Apr 21, 2022, 9:38 PM ET



Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[HMFFL]

If we can move our first for Deebo or DK should we?

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[atlantabbq99]

If we can move our first for Deebo or DK should we?

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

No... DK and Deebo are guys you get if you are a contender and not for rebuilding. Falcons need to use there cap space to get young guys and build a top 5 defense.

[HMFFL]

I usually research as many mocks as possible but not this year. I'm just going with the flow and going to watch.



Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

[atlantabbq99]

huhuhuh Drake London.

I don't like the pick. I would have taken Jordan Davis or Kyle Hamilton.

They said Drake is another Jamar Chase, but I don't know. I think Jordan Davis will be Albert Haynesworth with not mental issues. Falcons will be the worst defense next year and last in sacks again.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

NFL Draft 2022: Round 1 Grades

8. Atlanta Falcons -- Drake London, WR, USC



Grade: A

Strengths: Nimble feet for a bigger target, sinks hips in and out of routes, basketball background is evident, massive catch radius, good body control, plays big

Weaknesses: Questionable top-end speed, coming off a season-ending fractured ankle, inconsistent run-blocker

Whenever an oversized wide receiver comes up through the ranks, the same old argument is often used against him: He can't separate.

Despite numerous examples on film to prove otherwise, that knock hounded Drake London throughout the predraft process. Upon closer inspection, though, he's an elite target with a series of traits that should delight his new quarterback.

From a physical standpoint, the former USC basketball player brings a little hardwood to the gridiron. His footwork belies his 6'4", 219-pound frame. London also sinks in and out of his routes. He isn't some stiff who uses his large frame to overwhelm defensive backs.

From a statistical standpoint, London ranks first in the entire wide receiver class in percentage of targets per route run against man coverage, per Pro Football Focus' Dwain McFarland. He consistently got open and got fed the ball when teams tried to lock him down with a single corner.

London missed four of the Trojans' games after suffering a season-ending fractured ankle and still won Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. In fact, his average of 135.5 yards per game would have ranked second overall last season had he qualified.

London is never going to be a burner, but he's 20 years old with only one full year of purely concentrating on football. He's a special talent.

Like the Carolina Panthers before them, the Atlanta Falcons decided quarterback wasn’t worth a top-10 selection. London certainly is.

Now he’ll play alongside Kyle Pitts, who pieced together one of the best rookie campaigns ever for a tight end. The duo is a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators, because they simply won’t be able to match up with that much size and athleticism in the passing game.

Sure, the Falcons still need a triggerman to take full advantage of these elite targets. Maybe Marcus Mariota surprises. Or, the Falcons are setting up for their next franchise quarterback, whomever it may be. Whatever the case, the cockpit is now exceptional with a true WR1 on the roster.

The Falcons certainly couldn’t go into this season with Olamide Zaccheaus as their top target.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter