The wait for the 2017 NFL draft is officially over. Mock drafts have come and gone, private player workouts are all finished up and now its time for teams to finalize their draft boards and dig in for the next few days.
The Atlanta Falcons’ 2017 NFL draft goals will be just like every other NFL team: to improve their team heading into the next season. This is a roster that is already better than 90 percent of the NFL, so their draft selections will more or less be minor improvements. The Falcons are more than capable of returning to the Super Bowl in 2017, so let’s take a look at what their top three needs are heading into tomorrow night’s draft.
Atlanta Falcons 2017 NFL Draft: Top 3 Needs
Defensive End
The Atlanta Falcons’ pass rushing was progressively better in 2016, but it is unlikely that Dwight Freeney will sign another one-year deal to return. And because of that, Atlanta needs to add at least one pass rusher to help out Vic Beasley and company.
The Falcons have been rumored as recent as April 25 in potentially trading up from the 31st overall pick to take a pass rusher. The 2017 NFL draft is considered to be one of the best pass rushing draft classes in recent years. It would be somewhat surprising if the Falcons didn’t select a pass rusher either with their current first-round slot, or via a trade up.
Right Guard
The Falcons got more than they ever could’ve asked for from right guard Chris Chester in 2016. He was a player that many didn’t even think would win the starting job out of training camp and wound up being one of the best right guards in football. But the Falcons will not have Chester in 2017 after he announced his retirement after the Super Bowl.
If for some reason the Falcons elect not to draft a defensive end in the first round, a right guard would almost certainly be the pick. Two players the Falcons could target in the first round would be Forrest Lamp or Dan Feeney if they are available. The last thing the Falcons need to do is forget about the offensive line with the 2016 MVP and a slew of All-Pro weapons returning for another run at a championship.
Tight End
The Jacob Tamme era came to a disappointing end in 2016. After his best career season to date in 2015, Tamme went down early on in the season with an injury and never returned. The Falcons elected not to re-sign him which leaves Levine Toilolo and Austin Hooper as the top two tight ends on the roster.
Hooper will likely be the starter in 2017 with Toilolo coming in on to block in certain situations. This leaves the door open for the Falcons to draft their second tight end in as many years. One player to watch out for is former Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram. The Falcons scouted Engram and will likely target him if the situation arises.
