2017 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Final 7-Round Mock Draft
By Nafisa H
With the 2017 NFL Draft fast approaching, it’s time for the Atlanta Falcons to turn a new page in our final seven-round mock draft.
As much as they would like to rewrite history, the Atlanta Falcons cannot change the past. However, they can allow their tragedy to inspire a great comeback tale. On Thursday, April 27, the first day of the 2017 NFL Draft will commenced.
Coincidentally, Thursday is also Tell a Story Day. As such, the Falcons will open with a prelude by introducing six new characters. They’ll join those already established, such as the reigning MVP in Matt Ryan, as well as Julio Jones and Vic Beasley.
We won’t know what the Atlanta Falcons’ picks will be until each day of the draft. And we won’t know the outcome of their story until much later in 2017. However, we do know that the Falcons are determined to pen a classic redemption tale following their Super Bowl LI collapse. So how do they make that happen in the 2017 draft?
This is how the new chapter starts, at least in our final 7-round mock draft for the Falcons.
Round 1, Pick 31: Derek Rivers, DE/OLB – Youngstown State
Defense wins championships, and there is plenty of room left for the Falcons to improve on that side of the ball this season. Given that the Falcons are eager for a championship and that this year’s draft is defense-heavy, I see the Falcons selecting Derek Rivers with the No. 31 pick. While they need a safety just as much as a defensive end, they should use their initial draft pick to boost their first line of defense.
Furthermore, with his speed and burst from the line, Rivers can compliment Vic Beasley from the start and help bring the quarterback pressure that the Falcons need to succeed. With Rivers and Beasley, the Falcons could get on the right side of turnovers, forcing them and capitalizing from them.
Rivers didn’t play much during his freshman year at Youngstown State, but as his playing time increased, his stats did as well. Rivers accumulated an impressive 37.5 sacks in 49 games (making him YSU’s all-time leader in sacks), 173 tackles, 56.5 tackles-for-loss and three forced fumbles during his college career.
Derek Rivers will have to improve his coverage skills in order the play outside linebacker and perhaps bulk up a bit, but he possesses speed and flexibility that cannot be taught. He has the versatility that Dan Quinn loves and would fit right into the defense.