2021 NFL Draft: Jaylen Waddle is WR1 in 2021 NFL mock draft
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 5th Overall
5. 44. Scouting Report. EDGE. Miami (FL). Pick Analysis. Gregory Rousseau. player
We are not used to seeing the Atlanta Falcons picking this high, but they have struggled mightily this season and could easily end up with a top-five pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Taking a quarterback to eventually replace Matt Ryan would certainly be tempting, but this is still a talented team that could compete in the short-term. Taking a more immediate impact player makes more sense.
With the fifth overall pick of this mock draft, the Atlanta Falcons bring in Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau. Rousseau opted-out of the 2020 college football season, but he showed enough as a redshirt freshman last season to make him a worthy pick in this range.
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In 13 games for the Hurricanes last season, Rousseau piled up 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. He is extremely quick off of the ball and showed ridiculous upfield burst on nearly every snap. Rousseau displays impressive flexibility around the edge and closes on the quarterback in an instant.
Simply put, Rousseau is an exciting speed rusher who undoubtedly has a bright future at the next level. Edge rusher stands out as an obvious need for the Falcons and Rousseau is the best player at the position in the 2021 NFL Draft class.