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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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Atlanta Falcons
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 20: Arnold Ebiketie #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates while wearing the running backs chain after the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium on November 20, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

 #43 EDGE Arnold Ebiketie -Penn State

If Ebiketie is in fact available come the 43rd overall selection then the Falcons would be thrilled to land a player many consider the steal of the draft. Ebiketie recorded 18.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks this past season after transferring from Temple and boosted his draft stock immensely. The former Nittany Lion sits at 6’3, 256 and plays with great balance and bend off the edge, displaying a high motor in getting to the backfield.

His skillset would need to be refined but it is hard not to see him instantly becoming Atlanta’s best pass rusher. A fact that both speaks to his skill and Atlanta’s lack of options at the position. In this scenario, Atlanta is betting they can fix the offense through free agency and in the late stages of the draft looking to fix the secondary and their pass rush early before turning their focus to other positions of need. Ebiketie is exactly the type of player Atlanta needs to add and would put them a step further in the right direction. Early on he has appeared to be overlooked in early mock drafts and prospect rankings though this early in the process that could quickly change.

For now, however, Ebiketie lands with Atlanta and will give the team a much-needed boost in a pass rush that was nowhere to be found last season.