2014 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons projected to select Boise State DE Demarcus Lawrence in second round

Nevada Wolfpack quarterback Cody Fajardo (17) is tackled for loss by Boise State Broncos defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (8) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at Bronco Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

Day two of the 2014 NFL Draft is just hours away, and there is rampant speculation about what the Atlanta Falcons will do with their picks, especially with regard to the 37th overall selection. With that, there is a brand new mock draft for round two that is getting a lot of attention, and it comes by way of ESPN’s Mel Kiper.

Here is what Kiper weighed in with on Friday morning:

"Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise StateAnalysis: Atlanta got its tackle in Round 1, now it gets Lawrence, who immediately upgrades the pass rush."

The selection of Lawrence, who was rated as the 43rd overall player by ESPN’s Scouts, Inc., would surprise no one who has been paying attention to the Falcons, simply because he fits the blatant need for a pass rusher. Players like Georgia Tech’s Jeremiah Attaochu and Missouri’s Kony Ealy have also been firmly entrenched in the discussion, but anything other than a pass rusher would be a mild surprise.

In fact, Peter King of Sports Illustrated (who was reportedly in Flowery Branch on Thursday) rates grabbing a pass rusher as the team’s highest priority on Friday.

Nothing is certain in the process of the NFL Draft, but if the Falcons come away from Friday without a potentially dynamic pass rusher, it will be a shock to me.