11. Atlanta Falcons: J.T. Daniels, QB, Georgia
It seems as though everyone who covered the 2021 NFL Draft agreed that the Atlanta Falcons made the right move in drafting Kyle Pitts — and it’s easy to see why. He’s going to be a beast at the tight end spot, but the question is this — should they have passed on Justin Fields?
Personally, I think they should not have. Fields looks the part of a franchise quarterback and while Pitts really opens that offense, Matt Ryan is 36 and has had three losing seasons in a row. For some quarterbacks, that’s an indictment of their play for Ryan is given a pass (as he always is for coming up short).
Now in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Falcons need to find a replacement for Ryan who is one step closer to 40. They land JT Daniels who is talented but will never be close to what Fields can.
12. Minnesota Vikings: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
Minnesota beefed up the offensive line with Christian Darrisaw and even got a potential heir to Kirk Cousins in Kellen Mond. They also stole Wyatt Davis in the third, meaning their O-line is vastly improved and their quarterback situation might be resolved for a while.
If there was anywhere they could have used more help it would have been on the defensive line. They got a great value in Patrick Jones II but they need more beef inside. Enter Demarvin Leal from Texas A&M.
Leal is a 6-4, 290-pound run-stopper who could really stand out if he learns to generate more pressure from the inside.