Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft: Full 7-Round Predictions
Nov 15, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. (6) rushes past South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Cody Gibson (90) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Florida Gators 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
With the Atlanta Falcons posting an underwhelming 6-10 record, the second year in a row they fell short of high expectations, serious organizational changes needed to be made. We constructed a full 7-round Atlanta Falcons mock draft to get you ready for 2015 NFL Draft season.
Mike Smith lost his head coaching job, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter jumped ship to their NFC South rival Tampa Bay, and the front office got a makeover with Scott Pioli taking over scouting duties from general manager Thomas Dimitroff. All signs are pointing to Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator taking the head coaching position after Super Bowl XLIX and he will need to use most of his resources in the draft to construct a defense that can keep Atlanta in the playoff race next season. Matt Ryan will be 30 at the start of the 2015 season so the Super Bowl window is starting to close for Atlanta. They really need to hit a few home runs early in this draft and the next draft, especially on the defensive side of the ball and more specifically within their front seven.
First Round
DE/OLB. Florida. Dante Fowler. 8. player. 44. The Falcons added some size and run stopping ability to their defensive line last offseason with free agent signings Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson that allowed the Falcons to rise from 31st to 16th in opponents yards per carry. However, their pass rush is still severely lacking as they finished 30th with a measly 22 sacks on the season. Enter Dante Fowler who has the tools and potential to be an elite pass rusher in the league and will bring some attitude, swagger, and fearlessness to a defense that severely lacked an identity over the Mike Smith era.
Second Round
player. 44. Sean Weatherspoon is an impending free agent for Atlanta and it might be time to cut ties with the oft-injured, yet talented, linebacker. Doing so would leave a hole in the Falcons linebacking corps. Adding Thompson to the mix would give the team a promising, young group of linebackers with Paul Worrilow and Prince Shembo already in the fold.. OLB. Washington. Shaq Thompson. 42
Third Round
The pass rush situation in Atlanta is so dire that the Falcons will consider taking two pass rushers early in the draft. Snagging Nate Orchard at the top of the third round would be great value for Atlanta and the incredibly productive Utah prospect should have an impact from day one.. DE. Utah. Nate Orchard. 73. player. 44
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