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2018 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons 7-round mock draft in November

By Derek Snyder

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 15: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass against the Miami Dolphins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 15: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass against the Miami Dolphins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jerrard Randall #8 of the Arizona Wildcats rushes against Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies on October 31, 2015 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 49-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jerrard Randall #8 of the Arizona Wildcats rushes against Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies on October 31, 2015 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 49-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Round 1: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Unfortunately for the Falcons, the addition of Dontari Poe has not reaped the rewards we all thought would come with signing the veteran run-stuffer. With Poe struggling in his first season with the team, I believe Atlanta needs to look elsewhere for help at defensive-tackle beside Grady Jarrett.

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Needless to say, that’s exactly why Dan Quinn needs to consider Vita Vea with their 1st draft pick of 2018. Take a look at some of Vea’s biggest games from his 2016 season, courtesy of Washington athletics website:

"Had three tackles, an 11-yard sack and a forced fumble in the win over No. 7 Stanford … had a pair of solo tackles in Washington’s 70-21 win at Oregon Three tackles and a pass break-up in the Husky win at Utah, earning the team’s defensive player of the week award Three tackles, including half of a tackle for loss, in the win over Arizona State Made four tackles, including a sack, vs. Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl."

For Atlanta to get back to being the run-stopping defensive unit that we all know they can be, it’s apparent they need to find help for Jarrett up-front. Sure, the team’s linebackers are responsible for filling the gaps, but opposing offenses have been pushing right through the Falcons defensive line all year.

It’s time the Dirty Birds invest in an interior lineman somewhere in Round 1 this coming offseason.

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