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7 round mock draft: Atlanta Falcons select high upside QB prospect

By Grayson Freestone

Auburn Tigers quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes against Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Uamsu12
Auburn Tigers quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes against Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Uamsu12 /
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Oct 15, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) runs with the ball past Syracuse Orange defensive back Justin Barron (23) during the second half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) runs with the ball past Syracuse Orange defensive back Justin Barron (23) during the second half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 2, Pick 43: Justyn Ross (WR) – Clemson

One of the biggest surprises for the Falcons this year has been the lack of productivity from their wide receivers, it has been a struggle for Matt Ryan and the receiving core. How fast they went from having one of the best groups in the league to being one of the worst.

Justyn Ross would bring a physical nature to the group that they are sorely lacking at the moment. Ross is a big target at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds.

Think about what former Clemson Tiger receivers Tee Higgins and Mike Williams have done for their respective teams, Atlanta should follow that plan.

Ross was once looked at as the next top receiver in the draft but his stock has been hurt by a spinal issue that seems to be cleared up at this point in time, but he still has had an injury history, however, the benefits of having him paired with Kyle Pitts is too big to ignore. Atlanta must strongly consider taking Justyn Ross.

Round 2, Pick 61: Darian Kinnard (OT) – Kentucky

The Falcons need to figure out what is happening with the right tackle position going into the 2022 to 2023 NFL season, Kaleb McGary has not been consistent enough to be a starter, his replacement could come in the draft.

Kinnard is a big dude, 6-foot-6 and 345 pounds, so we all know he can handle power rushers off the edge. Along with that, he has the mobility to become one of the top tackles in the NFL, certainly, he provides more upside than McGary does at this point.

Perhaps this could allow McGary to move to the guard position and see if he can excel there and get his career back on track.

With his huge body and surprising mobility, Darian Kinnard could provide the steady play at right tackle that they have needed since the decline of Ryan Schraeder.

Round 3, Pick 74: Arnold Ebiketie (EDGE) – Penn State

In a perfect scenario, the Falcons would find an edge rusher higher in the draft than this, but that is not the case.

Arnold Ebiketie is a high-upside edge rusher, he has excellent speed and flexibility for his size and could potentially turn around a lackluster pass-rushing group for Atlanta.

That is one area the Falcons should aggressively pursue in the upcoming offseason, they should not be forced into starting either a veteran rotational pass rusher in Steven Means or a late-round rookie in Ade Ogundeji.

Ebiketie could provide the boost that has been needed for years and years in Atlanta.