Falcons mock draft: Could Atlanta draft a cornerback at 8?

All the buzz surrounding the Falcons has the team selecting an edge rusher at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft…but what if Atlanta went with a cornerback instead? Kevin Knight takes you through a full 7-round mock draft, taking a look at how things change with a cornerback at the top.

We’re into April, and the 2024 NFL Draft is only two weeks away. Draft season is coming to a close, and it’s time to start compiling all our notes and intel from various sources/rumors towards a clearer picture of the Atlanta Falcons options. The Falcons have spent the last week adding depth pieces at cornerback and edge rusher, but I doubt those players will have any impact on the team’s plans.

I’ll get to my more predictive mocks very soon, but before diving into those, I wanted to do a mock where Atlanta did not take an edge rusher with their first pick. This is to see how the rest of the draft could play out, and how the team could address other needs.

All the buzz surrounding the Falcons has the team selecting an edge rusher at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft…but what if Atlanta went with a cornerback instead? I’ll take you through a full 7-round mock draft for the Falcons, taking a look at how things change with a cornerback at the top.

Before we jump in to the mock, let’s take a look at the Falcons’ current haul of draft picks.

What are the Falcons current draft picks?

• Round 1, Pick 8
• Round 2, Pick 43
• Round 3, Pick 74
• Round 3, Pick 79 from Jaguars, Calvin Ridley trade
• Round 4, Pick 109
• Round 5, Pick 142
• Round 6, Pick 187
• Round 6, Pick 197 from Browns

This is the written version, but you can also find the mock draft in two alternate forms as well. On our YouTube channel:

The mock is also available on all your favorite podcast platforms! You can listen to it directly here:

Round 1, Pick 8: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

The Falcons appear to be committed to making the secondary a strength, and going with arguably the top cornerback in the class with the eighth overall pick would be a major step towards achieving that goal. Quinyon Mitchell put together an incredible two-season run at Toledo, compiling some insane stats, and then proved himself on the big stage at the Senior Bowl—where he was the best defensive player in attendance. At 6’0, 195, he’s got good size and pairs it with outstanding athletic ability including a 4.33s 40 and 38” vertical jump (9.79 RAS).

Mitchell checks all the boxes of a potential high-end NFL cornerback, with the traits and coverage skills to play in any scheme and against a variety of opponents. He’s got ballhawking ability, is effective in run support, and excels in both man and zone coverage. He’s still got some work to do on the finer points of his game, like most young corners, but Mitchell looks like an NFL-ready starter with potential CB1 upside. Adding Mitchell would give Atlanta a potentially great duo with A.J. Terrell and give the team flexibility with Terrell’s looming extension.

Round 2, Pick 43: WR Ricky Pearsall, Florida

With the Falcons passing on an edge rusher at the top, I really hoped to add one here—but the value is just not great at this point in the draft. Instead, Atlanta goes after another need by adding rising wide receiver Ricky Pearsall from Florida. Pearsall was looked at as a potential late-Day 2 prospect prior to the offseason, but a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl and fantastic athletic testing (9.91 RAS) have boosted him into the second round.

With good size (6’1, 190) and elite athleticism including a 4.41s 40, 6.64s 3-cone (98th percentile), and a 42” vertical (99th), Pearsall has the traits to be a versatile starter in the slot or outside. He’s a polished route runner with a nasty release package to get away from coverage on the line of scrimmage. Pearsall has reliable hands and isn’t afraid of contact, showing off his strength and tenacity over the middle. For the Falcons, Pearsall can immediately step in to a role as the slot starter to diversify Atlanta’s options in the passing game alongside the size of Drake London and the speed of Darnell Mooney.

Round 3, Pick 74: EDGE Austin Booker, Kansas

There’s no other way to slice it: if the Falcons pass on edge at the top, this is probably where they’re going to add to the position. This is about where the Rams took Kobie Turner last year, so perhaps there is hope for instant impact at this point in the draft? At any rate, I actually do quite like the edge rushers on the board here, and my favorite of the bunch is Kansas’ Austin Booker. Booker had a very quiet college career prior to 2023, where he burst onto the scene with 8.0 sacks and 12 TFLs as a rotational player.

Booker then made the puzzling decision to declare immediately, but that seems to have paid off as he then went on to shine at the Senior Bowl and raise his draft stock into the Day 2 range. Booker has a good frame at 6’4.5 and with nearly 34” arms, but is definitely on the light side at just 240. That lack of mass and ability to play the run is concerning, but his talent and technical polish as a pass rusher is startling for a player with such limited experience. Booker is an unusual prospect with very little film to evaluate, and may have a ceiling as a designated pass rusher in the NFL. But he could become a very good one, and the Falcons could use all the pass rush help they can get.

Round 3, Pick 79: SAF Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech

Pick acquired from Jaguars (Calvin Ridley trade).

I’ve taken a lot of safeties in this range, but I keep finding myself coming back to Dadrion Taylor-Demerson as my favorite. So we’ll go back to the well here and once again add the talented defensive back for the Falcons. Here’s how I described Taylor-Demerson in a previous mock draft:

Atlanta needs a coverage-focused player on the back end, and with a lot of cap tied up in Bates, should probably look to the draft to fill this need. Enter Texas Tech’s Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, a ballhawking safety with elite athleticism, coverage instincts, and versatility to play all over the defense.

Taylor-Demerson is an impactful player wherever he lines up, whether that’s in single-high, split safety, or even playing the slot. His biggest knock is a lack of ideal size at 5’10, 197, but he mitigates it with good tackling technique and an aggressive demeanor. Taylor-Demerson will never be a highlight-reel hitter, but his play in coverage more than makes up for his average run defense profile. Across from an elite safety in Jessie Bates and bolstered by a physical third safety in DeMarcco Hellams, Taylor-Demerson could be a perfect fit in Atlanta’s secondary.

Round 4, Pick 109: EDGE Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian

The Falcons waited to address the pass rush, and because of that, I think they’d be best served by taking multiple swings at the position. One of the most intriguing edge rush prospects in the class is Jalyx Hunt, a former defensive back. Hunt transferred from Cornell, where he played safety, to Houston Christian where he transitioned to defensive end. The results were immediately impactful, as Hunt piled up sacks and TFLs over two seasons. Quite frankly, his ability to bulk up so quickly and play effectively at 6’4, 252 is astounding. From a traits standpoint, Hunt checks the boxes for a 3-4 OLB with excellent length (34 3/8” arms), a good frame, and high-end athleticism (9.22 RAS).

He wins at this stage by simply being bigger and faster than his opponents, but that won’t be enough at the NFL level—particularly against the run, where he was not nearly as dominant. Hunt has a really intriguing developmental pathway, as he’s got surprising coverage and lateral mobility compared to most edge rushers. As a run defender, he’ll need a lot of technical work and time to continue to bulk up and build out his frame. As a pass rusher, he must continue to hone his craft to avoid getting stuck on blocks from skilled opponents. Still, Hunt has tremendous upside and has a clear path to being an immediate special teams contributor. I think Hunt is the perfect developmental edge rusher for Atlanta to take a swing on.

Round 5, Pick 143: DT Fabien Lovett Sr., Florida State

The Falcons got some unexpected news when Eddie Goldman elected to come out of retirement (again) and rejoin the team (again), but I think the team would be wise to add some insurance at nose tackle. Enter Florida State’s Fabien Lovett Sr., who has actually been comped to Goldman by NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein. A big (6’4, 315), strong, and exceptionally long (35.5” arms) prospect, Lovett is a dominant run defender who makes his living by eating up space and taking on double teams in the trenches.

Lovett is not a flashy player by any means—he does the dirty work on early downs and does it very well. He is exceptionally powerful and difficult to displace at the point of attack, creating opportunities for those around him to make plays. Lovett also uses his hands well to manipulate blockers and make sure that he’s disrupting the flow of the play. He is not a player who will be stuffing the stat sheet or contributing much as a pass rusher, but he’s got the potential to be a long-term starter at nose tackle who will be a consistent force against the run.

Round 6, Pick 187: WR Anthony Gould, Oregon State

This is a deep receiver class, and the Falcons would be wise to add depth beyond their obvious starting needs. Atlanta has already shown interest in Anthony Gould, the diminutive but electric receiver out of Oregon State. Obviously, size (5’8.5, 174) is an issue that will keep him from being a do-it-all player at the NFL level, but Gould makes up for it with his blend of deep speed, explosiveness, and agility. Gould ran a 4.39s 40, a 1.5s 10-yard split, jumped nearly 40”, and hit a 4.16s short shuttle. That’s good for an 8.87 RAS despite his size.

Gould made his living in college as a deep threat, but actually possesses a fairly versatile skillset. He began his career in the slot, but gradually shifted more to a Z/flanker role to threaten outside corners who lacked deep speed. That speed, explosiveness, and elusiveness actually made Gould a very effective player against man coverage and after-the-catch. With the new emphasis on the kick return, Gould also has ability and experience as a returner and was the first-team All-Pac-12 returner in 2022. Gould should be able to settle in as a depth piece and special teams contributor as a rookie, with the potential to grow into a larger role in time.

Round 6, Pick 197: LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

Pick acquired from Browns.

The Falcons could use depth at linebacker behind their top-3 of Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, and Nate Landman, and I think they’d prefer to go the developmental route. Kentucky’s Trevin Wallace struggled with consistency in his college career and needs to continue to hone his instincts, play recognition, and coverage skills. However, Wallace also brings an intriguing package of traits to the position that make him worthy of development. At over 6’1, 237, Wallace ran an impressive 4.51s 40 and jumped 10’7 in the broad, giving him an elite 9.33 RAS.

Wallace has the traits to be a potential NFL starter and special teams demon. He’s physical, has great range, and makes plays when he’s in the right area. The big question is: how quickly can you get him up to speed? Wallace will have a tough battle to make the roster, but his traits make him worth betting on as a potential bottom of the roster stash and early contributor on special teams.

What do you think about this potential draft class for the Falcons? Leave some of your own draft takes in the comments below.