Blogging Dirty
FanSided

2016 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Atlanta Falcons’ first pick

By Freddie Boston

Nov 21, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) celebrates after sacking Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback John Wolford (10) during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) celebrates after sacking Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback John Wolford (10) during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who could the Atlanta Falcons take with the 17th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft?

The great guys at NFL Mocks put together their latest mock draft, and asked for help from each NFL site on the FanSided network. I was the Atlanta Falcons representative and made the selection with the 17th overall pick. You can check out the full mock draft here.

By the time Blogging Dirty was on the clock at No. 17, I was disappointed – yet hardly surprised – to see names like Reggie Ragland, Jaylon Smith and DeForest Buckner off the board. Fortunately, there was still a highly-rated pass rusher remaining on the board.

Here’s my pick:

"DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson“The Atlanta Falcons spent their first-round pick on a defensive end from Clemson last year, and they could do the same this time by selecting Kevin Dodd. Dodd has been flying up draft boards of late and is quickly becoming one of the highest rated defensive ends in the class. Atlanta finished dead last in sacks this year with only 19 and need to strengthen in this area.Dodd would be a smart pickup by the Falcons. Vic Beasley has a bright future in the NFL, but he can’t single-handedly turn the Falcons’ pass-rushing woes around. By adding Dodd into the mix, the Atlanta defense will have another dangerous pass rusher. Dodd is bigger than Beasley at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds. With the two rushing off each edge, the unit may finally be able to register regular sacks on the quarterback.”"

For the second year in a row, I have the Falcons picking a pass rusher from Clemson. By selecting the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder, the Falcons could form an excellent 1-2 punch with their young pass rushers in Dodd and Vic Beasley.

Next: Each NFL's team best player under 30

The Falcons need to do something about a pass rush that generated just 19 sacks in 2015.

Be sure to check out the full mock draft. What do you think of the pick?