2021 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears trade up for QB in two-round mock draft

The Atlanta Falcons are another team that will have a different head coach to start 2021 than who they had at the beginning of 2020. Could it be who is filling in as the interim right now in Raheem Morris? That remains to be seen. But what is for certain is that the Falcons roster needs a lot of help in the 2021 NFL Draft.

This Atlanta team has quite a few holes to fill. But the biggest glaring need, to me, is at defensive end. They’ve received flashes of impressive play from some guys in the last handful of years, but no one has truly panned out as a consistent, reliable piece.

Gregory Rousseau is arguably the top edge defender in the 2021 NFL Draft and is still on the board here at 10. Rousseau can play standing up or with his hand in the ground, but I think he will fit well down the road in the 4-3 scheme that Dan Quinn left behind. Regardless of what the scheme is next season, Rousseau should be able to make an immediate impact.

Rousseau is very athletic with great length and bend around the edge. He has impressive get off and knives into the backfield to make big plays. If need be in a 3-4 scheme, he has the athleticism to drop back into coverage but the power to fight through blockers on a bull rush.

Vic Beasley and Adrian Clayborn are long gone and Tak McKinley quickly followed them out this season. The Falcons have a huge need in terms of getting pressure on the quarterback off the edge and have their pick of 2021 NFL draft prospects to do so. Be it Rousseau or another edge rusher, defensive end is likely the priority for Atlanta this offseason.