The Falcons haven’t drafted for need since Terry Fontenot took over GM duties, but that’s not to say roster needs can’t be filled through the draft.
This continues a series where I look at the Falcons’ roster holes and prospects to fill them within the first 100 picks. Atlanta has four selections and should be able to find immediate contributors in each of the first three rounds. We continue with corners; below are the past editions:
2024 NFL Draft: WR prospects Falcons can target in the top 100
No. 8: Terrion Arnold, Quinyon Mitchell
The Falcons have a couple of options in the first round, but the value may not be there for Terry Fontenot. He’s drafted the ‘best player available’ in each of the past three cycles, so it’s possible that Arnold and Mitchell are targeted in a trade down situation.
Both seem primed to be Day 1 starters in the NFL and could be the long-term answer opposite A.J. Terrell, which is still very much a need for a defense that also desperately needs a pass rusher.
With 12 pass breakups and five interceptions in 2023, Arnold is an absolute menace and a true competitor at the position. Mitchell had six interceptions and 32 pass breakups over his final two college seasons at Toledo and could easily be the top corner in this class.
No. 43: Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins, Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry will seemingly be available for the Falcons in the second round, as far as mock drafts go, but the club would likely have to move up for one of Cooper DeJean or Nate Wiggins. McKinstry came into the 2023 campaign as the consensus top corner at Alabama, but Arnold finished as the best cover man.
DeJean and Wiggins could provide solid value depending on where the Falcons take them. The Clemson product was lock down for the Tigers in the last two seasons and ended his collegiate career by running a sub-4.3 40-yard dash. DeJean may be described as ‘deceptively athletic’ but there’s nothing deceptive about it. He’s a freak who can play.
No. 74 and No. 79: T.J. Tampa, Kamari Lassiter, Andru Phillips, Cam Hart
Waiting until the third round to potentially find a starter is really risky, but the Falcons have had some success waiting until the middle rounds to find them. Drew Dalman is the perfect example. The 2021 fourth-round pick was drafted as a depth piece but has developed into one of the better centers in the league.
The only thing is Tampa, Lassiter, or any other prospect selected in this area of the draft shouldn’t be expected to come in and contribute to a team with championship aspirations. That wouldn’t be fair. The Falcons may not have an option as the roster currently stands, though.
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