Atlanta Falcons Draft Slot and Opponents Set for 2019

The Atlanta Falcons won their third game in a row, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-32. Now that the entire week 17 schedule has been completed, the Dirty Birds now know what draft pick they will have, and who will be on the schedule next season.

The exciting win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, gave the Atlanta Falcons second place in the NFC South. The Falcons finished with a 4-2 division record, sweeping the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unfortunately they were swept by their arch nemesis, the New Orleans sAints.

The second place finish means instead of playing the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Redskins, the Atlanta Falcons will play the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles next season.

Not getting to play the Packers isn’t something for Atlanta Falcons to gripe about. Sure Atlanta did have a three game win streak over Green Bay, before the Packers won 34-20 this season at Lambeau Field, but anytime you face a team with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, you’re in for a fight.

With that being said, Minnesota is a formidable opponent themselves. The Vikings who are coached by former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, have beaten the Falcons three times in a row. The last matchup was in December of 2017 when the Vikings shut down the Atlanta offense 14-9.

Where the win over Tampa has made the schedule more difficult, is the change from facing the Washington Redskins to now playing the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Falcons have absolutely owned the Redskins, winning six consecutive clashes between the two teams. The Atlanta 38-14 win over Washington, was the teams most complete performance this season. It’s believed that Washington starting quarterback Alex Smith could miss time next season. It’s also unknown rather running back Adrian Peterson will return.

Instead the Dirty Birds will battle the Philadelphia Eagles once again. The Eagles have had the Falcons’ number winning three straight. In the past two meetings, Atlanta has been shut down by the Philadelphia defense, averaging just 11 points per game.

The Falcons have particularly struggled playing in Philadelphia. Thankfully the Eagles must travel to Atlanta this upcoming season.

The Atlanta Falcons also now know that they will. pick number 14, in the upcoming 2019 NFL draft. I mentioned that a win over Tampa Bay could hurt the teams draft status in this article, and boy did it ever. Matt Chaimbers of the Falcoholic is reporting here that a loss to the Buccaneers, would have given Atlanta the seventh pick in the draft.

Jason Fitzgerald of overthecap.com tweeted out the draft order for the non playoff teams:

It is no secret that the Atlanta Falcons need upgrades along both lines of scrimmage most. According to Matt Miller’s NFL Draft Big Board, edge rushers such and Nick Bosa of Ohio State and Josh Allen of Kentucky will be long gone when the Atlanta Falcons make their draft selection.

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report also projects defensive tackles such and Quinnen Williams of Alabama, Ed Oliver of Houston, Rashan Gary of Michigan and Jeffery Simmons of Mississippi State, to be unavailable at number 14.

Miller also thinks Alabama’s Jonah Williams the drafts top offensive lineman will be selected before number 14 as well.

Players that Bleacher Report project to possibly be available to help the Falcons in the trenches, are edge rushers such as Brian Burns of FSU, Jachai Polite of Florida, Clelin Ferrell of Clemson, and Montez Sweat of Mississippi State.

Defensive tackles such as Dexter Lawrence of Clemson, Dre’Mont Jones of Ohio State, Raekwon Davis of Alabama and Derrick Brown of Auburn, are also projected to be on the board when Atlanta picks.

On the offensive side of the football, blockers such as offensive tackles Yodny Cajuste of West Virginia and Greg Little of Ole Miss, as well as center Elgton Jenkins of Mississippi State, all have a good chance of being available when the Falcons Draft.

The Atlanta Falcons can certainly get a good player at number 14, however the three game winning streak will make it much more difficult than it would have been, to find a generational offensive or defensive lineman. The Atlanta Falcons certainly can not afford to miss in this year’s draft.

Were the last three wins worth falling to number 14 in the draft? What player or position would you like to see the Atlanta Falcons draft in round one? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. Atl All Day will have continued coverage of the Atlanta Falcons offseason as it unfolds.

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