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Atlanta Falcons find their quarterback of the future in this full 7-round mock draft

By Dalton McCormick

Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and center Matt Hennessy (61) at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and center Matt Hennessy (61) at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

#8 CB Derek Stingley Jr.  -LSU

The former Tiger standout slipped to #8 making it a no-brainer selection for the Falcons. Stingley is as elite of an athlete as you can find at the cornerback position and pairing him up with AJ Terrell could do wonders in the NFC South. Stingley is incredibly sticky in man coverage as his blazing speed allows him to trail any opposing pass catcher while his ball skills are coveted as well.

Whether it is Kyle Hamilton as my colleague has the Atlanta Falcons drafting or whether it is Derek Stingley it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see the Falcons opt to go secondary in the first round of the draft. If they believe Calvin Ridley is coming back and both of the best edger rushers are off the board the secondary becomes the next most pressing unit for Atlanta to address in this situation.

Stingley and Terrell would have the talent to be an elite pairing that would fix a lot of Atlanta’s issues in the secondary. Even if they were able to find an average pass rush next season the addition of Stingley gives their defense a chance to climb out of the basement of the NFC.

Wherever he lands Stingley is going to have an instant impact. An impact the Atlanta Falcons badly need if Stingley does indeed fall to 8th in the draft.