Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

The Falcons have fewer sacks (68) over the past three seasons than the Eagles had in 2022 alone (70). They still need help heating up the edges.

The Atlanta Falcons continue to be among the least productive pass-rushing defenses in the NFL. Despite a couple of investments in edge rushers in last year's draft, the work isn't complete. Tyree Wilson offers explosive burst, flexibility, length, power, and versatility to provide another key pillar to build the defense around.

The Falcons continue their desperate, never-ending search for pass rush. They hope for Tyree Wilson to fall, but Murphy is hardly a bad consolation price.

Sure the Falcons need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball, but the best way to help young QB Desmond Ridder and see if he can be the long-term guy under center is by surrounding him with weapons. Enter Johnston teaming up with Drake London and Kyle Pitts to form the most physical trio of pass catchers in the league.

Paris Johnson Jr. started at guard and tackle during his time at Ohio State and hasn't come close to playing his best football yet. An outstanding prospect in so many areas, Johnson's length and general body control/play strength make him a mistake-eraser. He's never out of a play, even if he screws it up, because he's athletic enough to get back in. Johnson could be a star in time, and he'd fit right in with Arthur Smith's hard-charging offense.

The Falcons could go in a few different directions with this selection. Help along the offensive line is a need this offseason, and they could benefit from adding another pass catcher to pair with Drake London. Cornerback depth is another issue, and you might consider a quarterback, depending on how you feel about Desmond Ridder.

However, adding a versatile player to their defensive front is another need, and they check that box with Murphy. While Murphy spent more time on the edge than his teammate, Bryan Bresee, you would still see him kicked inside at times. He offers a combination of power and a quick first step that is ideal for playing inside in sub packages, but you could even see him dropped into coverage off the edge in certain situations.

Joey Porter Jr. is the prototypical big, physical cornerback who looks like he belongs in the NFL. He can sometimes get a little too handsy downfield, but he checks many of the boxes of what teams look for when drafting DBs.

Though the Falcons' top need on defense is along the defensive line, I'm not as high on the defensive line talent in this class as it seems others are. The Falcons and general manager Terry Fontenot are committed to building the team the right way. That means not forcing picks at positions of need and instead drafting players they believe will be important contributors, potential second-contract players. Brian Branch has that potential.

As a hybrid defensive back who has played both safety and nickel defender, Branch was an elite run defender (90.7 grade) and an elite coverage player (90.4 grade) while missing just three tackles on over 600 run-defense snaps in his career.

The Falcons had just 21 sacks this season, which ranked 31st in the league, and they were led by Grady Jarrett's six. Veteran edge rusher Lorenzo Carter added four, while rookie second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie had 2.5. No other player had more than two. They have to get better along the front seven. That could start here with Murphy, a complete defender who had 17.5 sacks in three seasons at Clemson. He could even kick inside to tackle on passing downs.

Atlanta is another team with questions at quarterback, as rookie third-rounder Desmond Ridder flashed at times at the end of the season. He's not a lock to be the Week 1 starter, though I expect the organization to do deep evaluations on this draft class and bring in another player to compete with him. For now, however, Murphy is too good to pass up.

The Dirty Birds elect to fortify an offensive line that will need to protect a young passer growing into the position.

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