Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft: EDGE Prospect Sneaks Into Top 10
By Peter Jurich
Round 4, No. 110 (via TEN): Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, DB, TCU
After adding an offensive playmaker with the prior pick in our mock draft, the Falcons go back to the defensive side of the ball, finding a starting nickel cornerback in TCU’s Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. The nephew of Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, THT is an undersized yet physical and aggressive defensive back who profiles well as a slot player in the NFL.
Despite improving the secondary this offseason, the Falcons still need some help on the back end, and a hard-nosed slot like Hodges-Tomlinson could solidify this unit going into next season. At just 5’8″ and 180 pounds, Hodges-Tomlinson overcomes his lack of size by playing with great quickness and instincts and has a nose for the football, both in pass coverage and as a tackler. His size, or lack thereof, will certainly be a talking point amongst NFL scouts, but keeping him close to the line of scrimmage could help alleviate some of these concerns.
Round 4, No. 113: Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green
With their second fourth-round pick of the mock draft, the Atlanta Falcons circle back to the defensive line, adding Bowling Green’s Karl Brooks. Coming from the MAC, Brooks doesn’t have the most hype coming into the draft, but considering his level of production in college, he should be getting some looks as a sleeper defensive tackle prospect.
At 6’3″ and around 290 pounds, Brooks has experience at both the interior and edge spots across the defensive line, where he put up 27.5 sacks over five seasons, including 10 in 2022. In the NFL, Brooks should profile more as a 3-technique and would be a perfect 3-4 defensive end in the Falcons’ scheme. With great leaders and mentors in Grady Jarrett and the recently signed Calais Campbell, Brooks likely won’t be leaned on as an instant contributor, but could slowly grow into a role across the interior of the defensive line.
With slightly shorter arms than desired, he might have to improve his first pop strength and ability as a block shedder, but he is certainly an interesting, smaller school prospect who has a lot of potential with better coaches and weight room access.