Atlanta Falcons Silent Day Two, Prepare for Draft Day Three

Having traded away their second and third down picks to move back into the first round, the Atlanta Falcons had no picks on day two of the NFL draft. We now look at some players that the team may be targeting on day three of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Atlanta Falcons traded their second and third round picks to the Los Angeles Rams for the rights to draft offensive tackle Kaleb Mcgary at number 31 and a sixth round pick. This left Falcons fans to watch day two of the draft as bystanders, with no real rooting interest. The Dirty Birds have a plethora of picks remaining on day three with seven. Atlanta will have picks number 15 and 35 in round four. In round five the Falcons will choose picks number 14 and 34. The team also has selections number 13 and 31 in round six. Lastly Atlanta owns pick number 16 in round seven.

As day three of the 2019 NFL Draft approaches, the Atlanta Falcons still have several needs. Cornerback is chief among the positions that Atlanta needs to add depth to. Isaiah Oliver and Desmond Trufant are expected to start at the position. Damontae Kazee is expected to move from free safety to start at the nickel back spot. Journeyman Blidi Wreh-Wilson rounds out the current depth chart, leaving Atlanta dangerously thin at the position, especially when you factor in that Kazee would move back to safety should Ricardo Allen suffer an injury.

Iman Marshall of USC, Amani Oruwariye of Penn State, Isaiah Johnson of Houston, Saivion Smith of Alabama and Chris Westry of Kentucky, are all cornerbacks that Atlanta should consider if they decide to add a big pressing outside cornerback. Should the team decide to draft a nickel style cornerback to guard smaller more agile wide receivers, Julian Love of Notre Dame, Kendall Sheffield of Ohio State, Corey Ballentine of Washburn, Mark Fields of Clemson and Xavier Crawford of Central Michigan, are all players that should be on the Atlanta Falcons radar. Julian Love was the second corner on the NCAA All American First Team joining Georgia Bulldog Deandre Baker, who was selected by the New York Giants in round one. Read about Baker being drafted by clicking here. James Moreland of James Madison is also an interesting slot defensive back prospect. Even though he had character issues after his freshman year, he is a ball-hawk who intercepted 18 career passes and returned six for touchdowns. I took Madison late in the Atl All Day 2019 NFL Mock Draft. Local product Stephen Denmark of Valdosta State is another big corner that Atlanta should take a deeper look at as well. With the lack of depth at the position, Atlanta would be wise to take a big cornerback and a lot guy. Because the team is just one injury away from Blidi Wreh-Wilson starting, it’s imperative that Atlanta gets at least one corner that is ready to play from day one.

Update: The Atlanta Falcons have selected Kendall Satterfield in round four

Edge rusher is another area in which the Atlanta Falcons are thin. Neither Vic Beasley or Takk Mckinley have a track record of consistently providing pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Veteran Adrian Clayborn is back, but he’s coming off a season is which he only had 2.5 sacks in New England. Prospects Steven Means and Chris Odom have potential, but more help is needed. Christian Miller of Alabama, D’Andre Walker from UGA, Shareef Miller of Penn State, Jalen Jelks and his teammate Justin Hollins of Oregon are all available from Power Five conferences and could provide an immediate impact.

Defensive tackle is an area that needs a difference maker. However with the signings of Tyler Davidson and Rasheed Hegaman, depth is not as much of an issue as previously thought. Should the team decide to target a more gap shooting three technique tackle, Armon Watts of Arkansas, Gerald Willis of Miami, Isaiah Biggs of Alabama, Byron Cowart of Maryland and Chris Slayton of Syracuse are all intriguing prospects. The best run stuffing one technique defensive tackles still available are Renell Wilson from Arizona State, Daylon Mack of Texas A&M, Albert Huggins from Clemson and Greg Gaines from Washington. Defensive tackle is the deepest position in this draft, with nine having been already taken, but there is certainly still some talent available at the position.

Running back is another position that is certain to be addressed on day three of the 2019 NFL Draft. Devonta Freeman can’t be counted on to stay healthy given his track record over the last two seasons. Second year man Ito Smith should be even better in year two, and would be counted on to start should Freeman go down. Brian Hill who returned to the Falcons late last season, played well and offers a power back. Dexter Williams of Notre Dame, Ryquell Armistead of Temple,  Trayveon Williams, Travis Homer of Miami, Elijah Holyfield of UGA and Benny Snell of Kentucky offer value and different styles in the late rounds of this year’s draft. Trayveon Williams of Texan A&M who we took in our mock draft, offers versatility as a runner, receiver and returner.

Speaking of kick returner, if Atlanta can’t get their return man and running back in the same player they should draft a return specialist. The team hasn’t had a field flipper on special teams since Devin Hester’s brief stint here ended. Atlanta hasn’t had a dynamic young kick returner since Tim Dwight and before that, the great Deion Sanders. Local wide receiver products Penny Hart from Georgia State and Terry Godwin offer kick return experience. Tony Powell from Memphis is an explosive returner what can play running back and wide receiver.

As the draft continues to unfold, the Atlanta Falcons are certain to fill many more positional needs. The team is expected to consider drafting local Georgia Bulldogs Elijah Holyfield, Jonathan Ledbetter, D’Andre Walker and Terry Godwin. With seven picks in four rounds, the team is certain to be moving around the draft board. There is definitely still value to be had on day three of the NFL draft. The hope is that Atlanta finds some true diamonds in the rough.