2017 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Final 7-Round Mock Draft
By Nafisa H
Round 7, Pick 249: Nate Iese, FB – UCLA
After Patrick DiMarco left for the Buffalo Bills, the Atlanta Falcons were left with a void at their fullback position. However, not ones to dwell, they picked up Derrick Coleman during free agency and plan on pinning him against Soma Vainuku to see who emerges as their starter. Coleman’s blocking skills are better than his competitor’s but Vainuku’s physicality makes him a serious threat. The Falcons have backup plans in the event that things don’t workout with just one of them.
Nate Iese is an attractive option for the team with his athleticism, agility and versatility. If the Falcons implement a running-back-by-committee system this season with Devonta Freeman and Coleman/Vainuku, while also adding Iese to the mix, they may acheive a balance between their game on the ground and that in the air. A third option for the team is having a tight end, such as Levine Toilolo, line up as a fullback. It’s not the best option, but the Falcons will have to think outside of the box in order to advance.
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With the need to improve the consistency of their rushing game — particularly with Kyle Shanahan now out of the picture and now longer guiding Ryan and the Atlanta passing attack, Iese could be a nice late value find. If not, it’s only a seventh-round pick that they’re taking a flyer on to see if he’s the right fit. Such is life at the end of a team’s draft, and just before the end of the draft as a whole.