Atlanta Falcons 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft: Focus is on the defense

Round 1

The Falcons would love to improve their pass rush on the edge, but with Javon Kinlaw on the board, they cannot pass up the best player available. Kinlaw is a top-tier defensive tackle and would provide tremendous help for Grady Jarrett. While Kinlaw would lineup at defensive tackle, he is the best interior pass rusher in the draft and there is a notable drop in talent at the position after Kinlaw and Derrick Brown.

Kinlaw has the talent to go as high as the top 10 and may not be available to Atlanta by the 16th pick. The Falcons could go a number of ways with their first overall pick between Kinlaw, cornerback C.J. Henderson and edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. With Both Henderson and Chaisson off the board, the Falcons take Kinlaw at 16 or could look to move up come draft day.

Round 2

The Falcons should continue to focus on drafting the best player available come the second round, leading to the selection of edge rusher Zack Baun in the second round. While Baun played more as a 3-4 outside linebacker and doesn’t directly translate to the Atlanta defense, he can provide flexibility at linebacker and edge rusher and gives the Falcons a high upside player.

Baun started as a quarterback at Wisconsin before making the transition to linebacker. He saw steady improvement each year and finished his senior season with 76 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception.

Baun is talented and versatile enough to give the Falcons multiple looks as a linebacker and outside pass rusher and can continue to grow at the next level. Baun recently notified teams he tested positive for a diluted sample which could push him to Atlanta’s second-round pick.

Round 3

After missing out on top corners Jeffrey Okudah and C.J. Henderson in the first round, the Falcons address the departure of Desmond Trufant with four-year starter, Bryce Hall. With a deep class of cornerbacks, third-round selection Bryce Hall could make an immediate impact for the Atlanta Falcons. After drafting a defensive back for the past eight years, the Falcons will certainly address the departure of Trufant with a highly rated, third-round prospect.

Hall earned All-ACC Honors in 2018 and looked to replicate that success this past season before suffering an ankle injury in 2019, impacting his draft stock. Hall is a strong press corner marrying his size and athleticism to be an effective on-ball corner. Hall is talented at reading routes, comfortable in zone and an ideal, flexible corner for Atlanta.