The Falcons didn’t make their team better last night.
With holes all over the defense, Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris decided to find Kirk Cousins’ successor before he even took a snap in Atlanta. At the earliest, Michael Penix will not see the field in a regular season contest until 2026, barring injury.
Though the Falcons didn’t get better for 2024 last night, there are still six other rounds, and the Falcons have three picks tonight — one second-rounder and two thirds.
So, who are some of the best players available for Day 2 of the NFL Draft?
Adonai Mitchell, Texas
AD Mitchell is a freak athlete that many Falcons fans are probably familiar with from his time in Athens. He can play above the rim in the red zone and has legitimate sub-4.4 speed.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
He might never be a true WR1, but McConkey has all of the skills to be a contributor at the NFL level, working the underneath and intermediate levels of the field. The Falcons could use him as a nice complement to Drake London and Darnell Mooney.
Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Many expected Newton to go in the first round, so if he somehow fell even further, the Falcons may just snap him up.
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Sweat is a walking refrigerator at 360+ pounds, who can take up blockers and clog running lanes.
Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
Finally! An edge rusher! Kneeland visited Flowery Branch and would be a great addition to the Falcons defense. At some point, Atlanta has to add to this room, and the earlier, the better.
Jonah Elliss, Edge, Utah
The brother of current Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss, Jonah would be a sub-package pass rusher more than an every-down player, but should the Falcons care? We need more pass rushers.
Cooper DeJean, CB/DB, Iowa
The Falcons still need secondary help, and DeJean could fill multiple voids at corner and safety. He’s a great athlete who is projected to be able to play inside, outside, safety, and on special teams. The Falcons could kill two birds with one stone here.
These are just some of the more well-known prospects, and the Falcons are going to come away with three new players if they use all of their picks.
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