Falcons 2021 mock draft: Justin Fields the heir to Matt Ryan’s throne

When the Atlanta Falcons went out and brought in Dante Fowler Jr. last offseason, they likely didn’t envision Deion Jones leading the team with 4.5 sacks.

Grady Jarrett is still a highly productive pass rusher from the interior defensive line, racking up 21 QB hits this past season with four sacks and eight tackles for loss, but Atlanta obviously needs players off the edge who can come in and be productive.

Joseph Ossai could easily go in the top 32 picks, but in this scenario, he was available for the Falcons’ second-round selection. It was a no-brainer.

Ossai was a consensus All-American in the abbreviated 2020 season racking up 55 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in just nine games. He was all over the field and that is precisely what this Falcons defense needs.

A player like Ossai potentially being available in round two should give the Falcons plenty of confidence about going the quarterback route in round one because there’s just not a defensive player that would be worthy of that selection fitting Atlanta’s needs.

This year’s draft class does not have a Chase Young or Bosa brother. Players like Ossai have such tremendous value in the 20-40 pick range.