Complete 2019 Atlanta Falcons Seven Round Mock Draft
Round 5 Pick 14
Trayveon Williams – Running Back Texas A&M
With their first pick of the fifth round, the Atlanta Falcons draft Trayveon Williams from Texas A&M University. The 5’8 209 pound running back made an impact on arrival for the Aggies, becoming the first freshman in school history to rush for over 1000 yards. He went on to have a fantastic career for Texan A&M rushing for 3615 yards and scoring 34 touchdowns on the ground. He also hauled in 66 passes for 561 yards as an Aggie. This past season Trayveon elevated his game enough to rush for over 1500 yards, earing himself First Team All SEC honors, as well as making the AP All American second team.
Trayveon Williams is an elusive ball carrier. He has good speed, running the 40 yard dash in 4.51 seconds. More than just speed, Williams is blessed with incredible agility. He is able to cut on a dime, without losing any speed and momentum. Trayveon is a very patient runner and is tough to bring down in the open field. He also has great moves and footwork to freeze defenders. Williams has good hands and runs routes well making him a potential every down back. He’s also a willing pass blocker. One drawback about Williams is his size. He does not run with great power. He also needs to learn how to set up his blocks better. While he is fast, he does not have elite acceleration. Trayveon is sometimes indecisive as a runner, a flaw he must eliminate in order to succeed in the NFL.
With starter Devonta Freeman stuffing multiple injuries and multiple concussions over the last two seasons, it is unknown if he is still able to carry the load for an NFL team. The Atlanta Falcons front office would be foolish to go into the 2019 season without a backup plan in place. Trayveon Williams would give the Atlanta Falcons another all-purpose running back to complete with Ito Smith and Brian Hill, for carries behind Devonta Freeman. He also gives the team insurance in case of an injury to one of their top two backs. Williams adds a potential passing game weapon with his good hands and route running ability. He also adds value as a potential kick returner, as he averaged over 30 yards per return as a sophomore for Texas A&M. Trayveon Williams is known for having impeccable character, a trait that general manager Thomas Dimitroff values greatly in a player. He would be a welcomed addition to the brotherhood. He is projected to go higher but with the depth of running backs in this draft and the lack of teams that need them, he could wind up being a fifth round steal for the Atlanta Falcons. Other running backs Atlanta should consider on day three of the draft are Dexter Williams, Elijah Holyfield and Brice Love.
Best Season
2018: 1760 yds, 6.5 ypc, 18 tds, 27 rec 278 ryds, 1 td
Expert Opinion: Lance Zierlein NFL.com
Projection: Round 3
Pro Comparison: Elijah Mcguire (Jets)
"Productive runner who added weight and stepped into an every-down role and became one of the big SEC surprises in his first season in Jimbo Fisher’s offense. Williams isn’t overly dynamic by NFL standards, but he’s a calm runner who stacks moves and eludes defenders to post his fair share of chunk runs. He’s tough but undersized and might get pigeon-holed as a committee back with above-average third-down value thanks to his tenacity as a pass-blocker."
Round 5 Pick 34 (compensatory)
Diontae Johnson – Wide Receiver, Toledo
The Atlanta Falcons continue to use the late rounds to shore up depth at the skill positions, taking Diontae Johnson with their second fifth round pick in the 2019 Atl All Day Mock Draft. Johnson a 5’10 183 pound wide receiver, played college football at Toledo. He saw playing time as a freshman in a backup role, before a leg injury cost him the following season. The time away from the field worked for him, as he recovered to have a monster sophomore season for the Rockets. Johnson racked up over 1200 yards receiving that year and was First Team All Mac Conference as a wide receiver and a punt returner. He was also the Second Team All Mac Conference punt returner. Though he was unable to repeat the numbers of his sophomore season, Diontae still earned the same accolades as the prior year as an All Mac First Team receiver and kick returner and Second Team punt returner.
Diontae Johnson is an electric wide receiver, who has the ability to shift into high gear quickly. He has quick feet and is able to make cuts instantly. He plays tough and has xperience as a runner on jet sweeps. Johnson is a threat to take any play to the house. One flaw that Diontae Johnson has is a lack of size. He doesn’t have a large catch radius and competing for 50 / 50 balls will be a problem at the NFL level. Johnson is not yet a polished route runner and sometimes breaks routes off too soon. He also has been plagued by some drops that he needs to clean up at the next level.
The Atlanta Falcons have one of the best starting receiver groups in the NFL, but like many position groups last season, depth was an issue. Diontae Johnson would add depth to the wide receiver core. More importantly he would add a dangerous return man to the roster. That’s something the team hasn’t had since Devin Hester’s brief stint as a Falcon ended. If Johnson can improve the Atlanta Falcons field position and score a touchdown or two as a return man this season, that alone would make him worthy of this fifth round selection. Other kick returner prospects the Atlanta Falcons should take a look at are Mecole Hardman, Penny Hart, Tony Powell and Terry Godwin.
Best Season
2017: 74 rec, 1278 yds, 13 tds, 30 kr, 683 yds, 1 td, 4 pr, 102 yds, 1 td
Expert Opinion – Lance Zierlein NFL.com
Projection: Rounds 4-5
Pro Comparison: Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos)
"Despite a lack of desired size, Johnson might have the ability to play inside or outside thanks to his speed and ability to elude press from his release. He has basketball athleticism, but his routes will need more focus and less freestyle once he steps up in competition. The athleticism and quickness should allow for a wide range of usage on offense but his hands might always be a concern for him. He’s a little small and wasn’t as fast or quick at the combine as expected, so Day 3 in the draft is his likely landing spot as a WR3/WR4 talent."