2019 NFL Mock Draft: Kinnan’s final first-round projection

Despite taking a step back over the past two seasons, the Atlanta Falcons remain close to returning to competition for a Super Bowl. The Falcons also remain the most difficult team to predict what they will do on Thursday night, as they were not very active meeting with top talent during the pre-draft process.

Ed Oliver would be the obvious choice to land in Atlanta if he falls to 14, but since he goes fifth overall to the Buccaneers here, he is not ripe for the picking. Needing to improve their offensive line, the Falcons instead opt to select Oklahoma offensive lineman Cody Ford.

Ford can play either tackle or guard at the next level, which is good news for Atlanta as only left tackle and center are solidified along their front five. Also on their roster are James Carpenter, signed over from the New York Jets, Jamon Brown, signed over from the New York Giants, and Ty Sambrailo, who played well in limited action in 2018.

Adding Ford would allow the Falcons to shuffle Sambrailo, Carpenter, Brown and Ford along those three spots in order to field the five best players up front. Here, with the 14th pick in the draft, they give themselves some much-needed versatility to their offensive line.