Atlanta Falcons drastically improve in this 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft

Atlanta Falcons 2021 NFL mock draft: Round 2, 35th overall

Edge rusher stands out as one of the most obvious immediate needs for the Atlanta Falcons this offseason and it would be great to see the team address this need with a high-upside long-term edge defender in the draft. This edge rusher class is not great at the top but there is some solid depth at the position and the end of the first round/early second round seems like the sweet spot at the position.

The fourth overall pick is too early to take any edge rusher in this class so addressing this need with their early second-round selection certainly makes a ton of sense.

In this 2021 NFL mock draft, Joseph Ossai is the pick for Atlanta at No. 35. Ossai is an explosive edge rusher who undoubtedly has exciting upside at the next level. He shows tremendous upfield burst on the edge, uses his hands well as a pass rusher and shows impressive flexibility when bending around the corner.

At this point in his career, Ossai is an extremely raw player who will need some development at the next level. He only spent one year as a full-time edge rusher, moving to the position last season after spending his early college career as an off-ball linebacker.

His inexperience at the position shows on tape, especially when looking at his snap anticipation ability. Ossai is not quick off of the ball at this point in his career. Once he gets going, his upfield burst is impressive but he was commonly the last player off of the ball when rushing the passer at Texas.

While Ossai is far from a perfect player at this point in his career, he does have a ton of long-term upside and could quickly grow into a massive defensive playmaker for the Atlanta Falcons. The early second round feels like the sweet spot for an edge rusher and the Falcons find a good one here in this 2021 NFL mock draft.