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Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft: Senior Bowl Standouts Meet in Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons get more than one standout performer from Mobile in this Post-Senior Bowl Mock Draft for 2022.

The draft season unofficially started last week as the NFL descended upon Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot were spotted getting first-hand looks as the Atlanta Falcons look towards the future. No better way to get the draft season started than with a look into the foreseeable future. This mock draft for the Atlanta Falcons is based upon a few caveats that may happen in free agency. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

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Senior Bowl Standouts Meet in Atlanta with this Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 8: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan

The Atlanta Falcons had the least amount of sacks by a margin of nine total sacks with 17. The Tennessee Titans got nine in one singular playoff game. How does a team mitigate that? 

They get one of the more talented pass-rushers/edge-setters in the draft. Ojabo has a ton of raw ability. He measures in at six-foot-five, 250 pounds which is a more-than-ideal size for an edge rusher in the NFL. He has great bend around the edge that he combines with his speed to cause nightmares for the quarterback. But even with those measurables, he has a nice set of pass-rush moves that any offensive tackle would have to respect. 

Dean Pees has stated how he wants guys that can beat their guys one-on-one and get to the quarterback. With Ojabo, you get that and much more.

Round 2, Pick 43: Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma

Starters Steven Means and Dante Fowler did not lend any helping hands to the interior. Mid-season pickups Mike Pennel and Anthony Rush showed flashes but not enough consistency. 

In comes Perrion Winfrey. Winfrey comes into the fight at almost six-foot-four and 303 pounds with 36-inch arms. And he uses every inch of that length to punish offensive guards, tackles, and centers. Winfrey’s combination of power, speed, and change of direction gives him the versatility to line up anywhere across the line.

Not to mention that Winfrey was dominant enough to win MVP of the Senior Bowl.

Round 2, Pick 58 (Trade from Titans): Christian Watson, Wide Receiver, North Dakota State

Last year, one of the main storylines of the offseason for the Falcons was the future of Julio Jones. To ship Jones to Tennessee, the Falcons asked for one second-round pick in return. And now it is time to collect. 

After losing Calvin Ridley for the year, Atlanta laid its receiving load on Kyle Pitts. While a top-five pick, Pitts is only a rookie and needs much more help if he is to fulfill his full potential. The best way to do that is to bring in another guy that can take some of those defenders away from Pitts. And Russell Gage is not that guy.

Christian Watson is one of the more intriguing picks in this mock draft for the Atlanta Falcons. He measured at six-foot-four, 208 pounds at the Senior Bowl. However, the way he moves is that of a receiver significantly shorter and shiftier. Watson’s skill set is as smooth and versatile as a receiver of his size can be. His run is effortless as he can stride past defenders in the open field. Watson also was able to show quickness and an ability to drop his hips that rivals some of the best slot corners. Add in a versatile route tree, and Arthur Smith has found himself a premier wide receiver for his offense.

Round 3, Pick 74: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati

The edge rush was anemic enough last year that double-dipping at the position made the most sense here. 

Myjai Sanders has fantastic speed around the edge. His ability to bend around offensive tackles made him a force while at Cincinnati. While speedy, he also can stack offensive tackles up, helping him stuff the run. He only had two sacks this season, which could explain why he fell to the third round in this mock. But his endless motor and will to finish the play is very similar to how Dante Fowler, Jr. played in his time in Los Angeles.

Round 4, Pick 112: Coby Bryant, Cornerback, Cincinnati

Speaking of double-dipping, how about double-dipping from a stacked 2021 Cincinnati defense? There is another cornerback from this defense that Atlanta fans would love. But getting the 2021 Thorpe Award winner in the fourth round is pretty good, too. 

Coby Bryant plays the ball in the air like a wide receiver. He is a cornerback that sticks to the hips of his receivers in man coverage and makes high IQ plays while in zone coverage. That versatility to play both at a high level is a perfect scheme fit for Dean Pees as Atlanta steadily builds this defense. Coby Bryant alongside AJ Terrell will make a cornerback tandem that will help the backend of this defense a ton.

Round 5, Pick 150: Dameon Pierce, Running Back, Florida

The Atlanta Falcons running back room have plenty of questions going into the 2021 off-season. Cordarrelle Patterson is advocating to return. There are no promises after his stellar season last year. Mike Davis looks to be on his way out after a disappointing showing. While they still have Caleb Huntley, the undrafted free agent out of Ball State, there is no feature back. 

Dameon Pierce is a nasty type of runner that did not get enough snaps while at Florida. Those question marks are part of the reason for his drop in the draft. He enjoys running through tackles as much as he enjoys hitting the edge and showing off his above-average speed. Arthur Smith and company have reportedly fallen in love with the Florida product. Honestly, who can blame them?

The moment Arthur Smith knew he was the one

Round 6, Pick 188: Chris Paul, Offensive Lineman, Tulsa

Matt Ryan winded up on his back far too many times for this offense to have any success. While sixth-round picks don’t usually pan out to be more than backups, a player like Chris Paul is worth taking a flyer on here. 

While Paul is not bringing the notoriety as his basketball namesake, he is a solid prospect. Standing at six-foot-three and 324 pounds, Paul was a four-year starter at Tulsa. What makes him the most intriguing is his ability to play anywhere on the line. Whether that’s right guard, right tackle, left guard, he has played it and has done well. Atlanta will still need to spend some of their limited cap space on more linemen to come in and contribute. But make no mistake, Paul will come in and help this offensive line immediately.

Round 6, Pick 211: Leon O’Neal, Safety, Texas A&M

At this point, Terry Fontenot has to be looking for the best player available. Leon O’Neal fits the billing here. His play at the Senior Bowl has put more teams on notice. He played like a bat out of hell the entire time.

O’Neal is a safety that can play both in the box and deep, another versatile piece for Dean Pees to use. O’Neal can remind Falcons fans of Keanu Neal a bit with his aggressiveness in the run and the passing game. Adding that mentality with Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins adds even more juice to a young safety room. O’Neal’s versatility is a perfect end to this mock draft for the Atlanta Falcons

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