Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons full seven-round mock draft

By Andrew Ross

Nov 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Caleb Farley (3) returns an interception against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Caleb Farley (3) returns an interception against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

The Atlanta Falcons hold nine picks in the 2021 draft.

With the release of compensatory picks, the Atlanta Falcons have nine selections for 2021. The departure of Austin Hooper, De’Vondre Campbell, Vic Beasley, and Adrian Clayborn netted the Falcons two additional fifths and a sixth-rounder.

This time of year mock drafts are flying hot and heavy. With the fourth overall pick, the options for the Falcons in these mocks are minimal. It’s either the favorite remaining quarterback for whichever analyst is writing, Penei Sewell, or the most recent “different” pick, Kyle Pitts.

While all those picks make a ton of sense for varying reasons this mock will go in a different direction.

Thanks to The Draft Network and their excellent Mock Draft Machine here is a seven-round mock draft.

First-Round

Rd1 Pick 7: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

  • TRADE:
  •  ATL Gets: 7, 41, 88
  • DET gets: 4

Farley was going to be the pick at four but adding two day-two picks was a no-brainer for the Atlanta Falcons.

Farley is 6’2”, 200 pounds, and runs in the 4.3 range. He is an absolute freak of an athlete at the position, landing on Bruce Feldmans annual list over at the athletic.

While he is relatively inexperienced his technique is incredibly advanced for a player with so little time at corner. He was a high school quarterback and started his career at VT as a wide receiver.

For a player of his size, the ability to change direction and accelerate to close gaps is impressive. His offensive background gives him an understanding of routes and timing allowing him to be aggressive and make plays on the ball, he tallied six interceptions in two seasons.

Pairing Farley with A.J. Terrell on the outside and giving this defense potentially two elite outside corners opens up a myriad of options for how the rest of the defense attacks the quarterback and allows Dean Pees and this Falcons defense to get aggressive.

Farley’s floor is an uber-athletic corner that can run with any receiver in the league, his ceiling is one of the elite corners in the NFL.