Atlanta Falcons Potential First Round Pick: Christian Wilkins

The NFL draft is fast approaching and free agency is giving us some potential clues to which direction the Atlanta Falcons will go in the early rounds. Many of those clues are pointing towards Atlanta drafting a defensive tackle with pick number 14. Christian Wilkins is a prime candidate to be selected with that pick.

The Atlanta Falcons recently created a reunion with defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn who played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2017, spent last season as a member of the New England Patriots. Clayborn won his first Super Bowl championship as a member of the Pats. Deke Lloyd of Atl All Day has the scoop here.

The signing of Adrian Clayborn means the Atlanta Falcons are even more likely to take a tackle, in round one of the 2019 NFL Draft. Rather the pick is an offensive or defensive tackle is up for debate. Should defensive tackle be the choice, Christian Wilkins of Clemson is sure to be among the players considered. He is among three Clemson defensive linemen that are projected to be drafted in round 1. Check our report on his teammate, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence here. You can also read the our story on the third Clemson lineman, defensive end Clelin Ferrell here.

Christian Wilkins is 23 years old. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and played his high school football at Suffield Academy in Connecticut. Wilkins was a top 25 recruit in the nation coming out of high school. He posted gaudy numbers racking up 253 tackles and sacking opposing quarterbacks 28.5 times as a prep athlete.

Christian Wilkins has certainly faced adversity in his life but has persevered. His grandfather was tragically killed in a police related incident. Wilkins was only 15 years old at the time. Adam Rittenberg of ESPN has the inspirational story here.