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Falcons 2016 NFL Draft: Best case scenario in opening three rounds

By Freddie Boston

Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) tackles Tennessee Volunteers tight end Ethan Wolf (82) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) tackles Tennessee Volunteers tight end Ethan Wolf (82) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1: DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky

At No. 17, the Falcons might have one of the best pure pass rushers of the draft fall to their laps. Despite the off-the-field concerns, Noah Spence is worth rolling the dice on.

First off, let’s look at what he could bring to the Atlanta defense. After posting an anaemic 19 sacks in 2015, finding another edge rusher whose job description is to tee off on quarterbacks is important for the rise of Dan Quinn’s defense, and that’s exactly what Spence can do.

Vic Beasley’s development will help the defense get better, and the addition of Derrick Shelby in free agency will create more interior rush. Yet what the Falcons are crying out for is a rusher off the edge like Spence.

He was kicked out of Ohio State after failing multiple drugs tests, but Spence appears to have put it all behind him. After transferring to Eastern Kentucky, he wanted to be drugs tested as often as possible to prove he was clean, which he was.

Spence has been hailed as a great teammate and a hard worker. Under the wing of Quinn in a developing defense, he can shine. This would be a perfect day one scenario for the Falcons.

Next: Round 2