NFL Draft: Pass rusher emerges as first-round possibility for Falcons

The Falcons‘ longest-standing issue has been the pass rush.

There was a period when Matt Ryan was traded to the Colts, and the most pressing need was a quarterback, but Michael Penix Jr. has eased those concerns. Now, the #1 objective for Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris should be finding guys that can sack the quarterback.

The Falcons hold the 15th overall pick and many draft analysts expect the selection to be a defender. Some popular mock drafts have Mike Green, Shemar Stewart, Jalon Walker, and Mykel Williams going to Atlanta.

Jihaad Campbell and Will Johnson are also common projections for the Falcons, but how about a name that I haven’t seen very often? Donovan Ezeiruaku out of Boston College is a prospect that has gained steam since January and is someone Jordan Reid of ESPN believes could go as high as 15th after being a Day 2 prospect earlier in the process.

“After speaking with multiple scouts this week, Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku is a player teams are hot after in this loaded edge rusher group. He had a breakout senior season with the second-most sacks in the FBS (16.5), and he followed that up with a standout Senior Bowl performance. Viewed as an early Day 2 prospect in January, Ezeiruaku could now be picked as high as No. 15 to the Falcons or No. 17 to the Seahawks.”

I’m not entirely sure what kind of edge defender the Falcons will be targeting, but Ezeiruaku is a bit undersized at 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, depending on what Atlanta envisions the role being.

However, you don’t log 16.5 sacks by getting lucky. The guy can rush the passer. It’s just another pass-rushing prospect for Falcons fans to keep their eyes on this draft cycle.