Atlanta Falcons fortify defense in 7-round 2020 mock draft
By Lucas Schuh
The Atlanta Falcons offense can still fly but their defense needs attention still in the 2020 NFL Draft, which it gets in this 7-round mock draft.
While the Atlanta Falcons have spent the 2020 offseason working to improve on both sides of the ball, most notably signing Todd Gurley on offense and Dante Fowler Jr. on defense, it’s the latter side of the ball that needs attention still. That’s where the 2020 NFL Draft will undoubtedly come into play for general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn.
There are glaring weaknesses throughout the Falcons defense as currently constructed. However, the biggest hole likely lies at cornerback. Desmond Trufant had been a staple in the secondary and had served as a solid player. But now that he’s in Detroit, the situation in the Atlanta secondary has gone from pretty bad to wholly concerning. Kendall Sheffield, Isaiah Oliver and Blidi Wreh-Wilson are the best corners currently on the roster.
Unfortunately, the defensive back group is also lacking on the back end. Keanu Neal has been a great player but the depth around and behind him is an issue. And with Neal struggling to stay on the field recently, Damontae Kazee and Ricardo Allen have proven to be less than ideal options at the position. Even if Allen can recapture his previous form, the Falcons could still stand to upgrade there.
Deion Jones had undoubtedly been a stud linebacker when on the field. But much like the problems at safety, the depth around him must be addressed. With De’Vondre Campbell, an imperfect player in his own right, now gone, Atlanta needs to get Jones help in the middle of the defense. Foyesade Olukon is their other starter at the moment and he’s a limited player that offers little in coverage and is far from elite when defending the run.
After signing Fowler, the Falcons could, in theory, sit tight on the edge. Even then, they could still use some defensive line help. Overall, it’s clear that Atlanta’s focus in the 2020 NFL Draft should be their defense. And that’s the goal for this 7-round mock draft at the start of April, compiled using the NFL Mock Draft Database’s draft simulator.