2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields are golden tickets

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his 34-yard touchdown pass to Travis Etienne (not pictured) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

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2021 NFL Mock Draft, 2021 NFL Draft, Carlos Basham Jr. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

11. 44. EDGE. Carlos Basham Jr.. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Wake Forest

Frankly, the direction of the Atlanta Falcons right now appears a little bit murky. Depending on how things go in the 2020 season, there’s a chance that current general manager Thomas Dimitroff isn’t the one making the picks when the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around. And if that’s the case, big changes could be in store.

Matt Ryan led the Falcons to a Super Bowl and came about as close as possible to winning one without actually doing so as well. He’s been a good quarterback but, in his mid-30s, a new regime could potentially look to replace him. I’m not there yet but it’s in the cards.

If Ryan sticks around, however, the Falcons continung to rework the defensive line makes a lot of sense to me and it’s hard not to love Wake Forest’s Carlos Basham Jr. While he may not be a surefire superstar, his college production speaks for itself out of the SEC.

Basham totaled 10.0 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and three passes defenses last season for the Demon Deacons.The 6-5, 275-pounder is a movable piece on the defensive front and would be a piece to help the Falcons become much more formidable in the trenches for the long haul.

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