3-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos, Bears trade up for quarterbacks
By Randy Gurzi
Pick Analysis. EDGE. Georgia. player. Scouting Report. Azeez Ojulari. 9. 44
9. Atlanta Falcons (via Denver Broncos): Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Trade: Atlanta Falcons send No. 4 overall pick to the Denver Broncos for No. 9 overall and a 2022 First-Round Pick
After trading with the Denver Broncos, the Atlanta Falcons are back on the clock with the No. 9 overall pick. They gave up a shot at tight end Kyle Pitts by trading down but could still look to add a quarterback to groom behind Matt Ryan.
Trey Lance is the player they could target but there are many other holes on the roster as well. While new head coach Arthur Smith would be wise to get a quarterback to develop, the temptation to try and win now with a veteran roster could be too great to pass up. For that reason, they leave Lance on the board and could try for a signal-caller in 2022 — when they will have two picks in Round 1 thanks to this trade.
With that being their decision, the Dirty Birds take a player who was a star not too far from their own stadium in Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 249-pounds, Ojulari is on the small side for a defensive end but that doesn’t mean he can’t perform in that role. While at Georgia, he played with his hand in the dirt as well as in a stand-up role.
Instead of looking at this as a problem, it’s proof that Ojulari is a versatile defender. And the Falcons can use a lot of help on that side of the ball.