2020 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Draft Report Card
With their first-round selection. the Atlanta Falcons brought in Clemson’s, A.J. Terrell. With excellent size and physical tools at a premier college football program, Terrell is a name that has risen throughout the 2020 NFL Draft process. Athletic traits and speed are the most important aspects this Atlanta Falcons regime looks at and prioritizes on the defensive side of the ball, so this selection makes a ton of sense for Atlanta.
With that being said, it’s not an M.O. that has found success in the last few seasons. Don’t get me wrong, A.J. Terrell is a good prospect and is the 33rd overall prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft on my big-board. There was a fairly significant reach for Terrell, though, in my opinion.
There were rumors that the Falcons were looking to move up and be aggressive in the 2020 NFL Draft, however, we have come to learn that it was a huge smokescreen with little legitimacy to the rumors. Obviously, the board did not fall in the Atlanta Falcons’ favor with them not trading up. With most of the notable draft targets for the Atlanta Falcons off the board before the 16th overall pick, some Atlanta fans wished they had invested additional capital to take one of those guys.
With the board the way it was, Atlanta could have gone many different directions, yet they took a good prospect at the biggest position of need. Though there was a reach on Terrell and I preferred Jeff Gladney at that position, they still took a good prospect with a ton of potential. I am not in love with the selection, but I like the direction and am now more comfortable with the cornerback group heading into the 2020 NFL season.