2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trevor Lawrence tank pays off for Jaguars, Trey Lance to Raiders
EDGE. Xavier Thomas. player. 44. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Clemson. 13
The Atlanta Falcons have been looking for a boost for their pass rush for what feels like forever at this point. They took Takkarist McKinley in the first round of the 2017 draft but he has not panned out while also letting Vic Beasley Jr. walk this offseason. They’ve taken some dart throws for the 2020 season as well with Dante Fowler Jr. and Charles Harris.
However, the simple truth is that the Falcons don’t have any viable long-term options when it comes to their edge rushers. That’s something they need to change for this defense to find a form that will help lead them back to the playoffs and possibly on a postseason run. So that’s why they take Clemson’s Xavier Thomas with the No. 13 pick.
After posting 3.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2018 as a rotational player in a limited role, Thomas was supposed to be a breakout star for the Tigers last season as a highly touted 5-star recruit. However, injuries largely threw him off track and he had only 1.5 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss.
Because of the year he had in 2019, there is projection with saying Thomas can be a top-15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, his blend of skills at 6-2, 265 pounds and the fact that he was such a celebrated recruit lead me to believe that, if healthy, he can star for the Clemson defense and play his way into this draft position.