2020 NFL Draft: First-round mock draft includes Jalen Hurts in the top 15

This one is a no-brainer and would feel like a complete steal if the Falcons end up picking in this spot and Chase Young is still available. At this point, Young is clearly the best defensive player in the 2020 NFL Draft, if not the single best player overall. He is a dominant force off of the edge and is just what the Falcons have been looking for.

It is likely surprising to many that Atlanta is in position to pick this high so soon after their Super Bowl run (and blown lead, sorry Falcons fans). How could things have gone so bad so quick? Who’s to say, exactly? But the good thing for Atlanta is that they are still a talented team that has just been decimated by injuries the past couple seasons. If they can move on from certain pieces and reload with picks like Chase Young, they’ll be back in contention sooner rather than later.

Edge rusher is clearly a position that the Falcons have been trying to address for a few years now. They have gotten bursts of greatness out of their recent picks in Vic Beasley and Tak McKinley, but both are far too inconsistent and too pass-down reliant to make big impacts on the game week after week.

Young is a physical freak who can anchor an entire side of the defensive line on every single down. At 6’5″ and 265 lbs, Young clearly has the size and frame to bully offensive linemen in pass rush and run defense. On tape, Young is swift and agile enough to execute moves that make him nearly impossible to block.

Through eight games, Young has a whopping total of 13.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, and why not throw a blocked kick in there as well. We have seen both Bosa brothers come through Columbus and end up as top three picks, but Chase Young could be even better and could prove to be a steal even as high as three.

The Falcons defense has been incredibly bad this year. Again, they have been decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball the past couple seasons, but this year quarterbacks lick their chops when they see ATL on their calendar for Sunday.

Atlanta has just five sacks total on the season through seven games. Five in seven games, as a team. Young has 13.5 in eight games by himself. The Falcons secondary has been getting a lot of blame for their play this year, and rightly so, to a point.

But if you can’t pressure the quarterback and let him sit back there all day, someone is going to come open. A guy like Young that can single-handedly get to the quarterback on nearly every play can completely turn around a defense. And that’s what the Falcons will hope he will do for them.