NFL Draft best available players for Atlanta Falcons: Shavon Revel Jr., Xavier Watts

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The Atlanta Falcons took care of their needs at edge rusher on Thursday, drafting Georgia’s Jalon Walker and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. in the first round.

Atlanta still has plenty of needs at other positions, though. Below are some of the best available fits for the Falcons entering Day 2 of the draft.

(Dane Brugler’s round projections in parentheses)

Day 2

Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College

(1st-2nd)

The 6-3, 248-pounder was a consensus All-American last year after finishing second in the FBS with 16 1/2 sacks. He has bend around the edge and long arms (34 inches), which fits right into what Atlanta’s defensive coaches think a pass rusher should be, but he doesn’t have one elite pass-rushing trait, which could mean he’ll need some time to develop into his full potential. He played almost all his collegiate snaps lined up wide of the offensive tackle, and that lack of versatility might be a red flag for the Falcons.

Mike Green, edge, Marshall

(1st)

If the Falcons expect to have a shot at Green, they probably can’t trade down. He might not even be available at No. 15. The 6-3, 251-pounder led the FBS with 17 sacks last season and is Brugler’s 10th-rated overall prospect. Green has shown the ability to win with speed or power and shows impressive hand usage for a college player. “Green is a twitchy athlete with the burst and body control to win one-on-one as a pass rusher and set a violent edge in the run game,” Brugler wrote in “The Beast.”

Will Johnson, cornerback, Michigan

(1st-2nd)

The 6-2, 194-pounder asked to wear Charles Woodson’s No. 2 number at Michigan, which shows the type of confidence coaches want in a cornerback. Injury issues (shoulder and toe injuries cost him seven games last year) and the fact that he didn’t run a 40-yard dash in the predraft process have raised questions about Johnson’s physical traits, but his tape through three years of college showed one of the best defensive backs in this draft. Questions about his long speed may not be as critical in Atlanta’s zone-heavy system.

Trey Amos, cornerback, Ole Miss

(2nd)

The 6-1, 195-pounder played five seasons at three colleges, finally breaking out last year at Ole Miss, where he had three interceptions and was first-team All-SEC. Amos can play man but is a better fit in zone, which would work well in Atlanta.

Jordan Burch, edge, Oregon

(2nd)

Brugler’s 10th-rated edge rusher was a five-star recruit who started at South Carolina before playing his final two seasons at Oregon, where he was named to the All-Pac 12 and All-Big Ten teams. The 6-4, 279-pounder isn’t explosive but has a powerful bull rush.

Aireontae Ersery, offensive tackle, Minnesota

(2nd)

If the Falcons truly have an interest in immediate help at tackle, Ersery could be a nice second-day addition. The 6-6, 331-pounder has the size and athleticism to project as a long-time starter. If his technique were better, he’d be a first-rounder.

Landon Jackson, edge, Arkansas

(2nd)

The 6-6, 264-pounder had the longest wingspan among edge rushers at the combine. He’s not a fluid athlete, but he had a 40.5-inch vertical jump and had 13 combined sacks in his final two seasons.

Shavon Revel Jr., cornerback, East Carolina

(2nd-3rd)

The 6-2, 202-pounder was considered a first-rounder before the ACL injury that cost him most of his final season. He could be a second-round steal for the team that can get past durability concerns.

Azareye’h Thomas, cornerback, Florida State

(2nd)

The 6-2, 196-pounder saw his stock drop when he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at the Seminoles’ pro day, but he has good size (32.5-inch arms) and tape.

Mason Taylor, tight end, LSU

(1st-2nd)

The 6-5, 246-pounder is the son of former Dolphin Jason Taylor and nephew of former Dolphin Zach Thomas. Taylor had 129 catches in three years at LSU and is an adequate blocker.

JT Tuimoloau, edge, Ohio State

(2nd)

The 6-4, 264-pounder was a five-star high school prospect and a consistent contributor for the Buckeyes, where he got lots of attention from opposing offenses. Despite that, he had 12 1/2 sacks as a senior, and he’s one of the most well-rounded edge rushers in this class.

Jack Sawyer, edge, Ohio State

(2nd)

The 6-4, 260-pounder “has the competitive play personality that NFL coaches will welcome as part of their rotation,” Brugler wrote in “The Beast.” Sawyer has NFL-ready power but is not an elite athlete.

Nic Scourton, edge, Texas A&M

(2nd)

The 6-3, 257-pounder “is a banshee off the edge,” Brugler wrote in “The Beast,” and unlike his more famous teammate Shemar Stewart, he had good collegiate pass rush production (15 sacks in his final two seasons). He’s not higher on boards because of his average athleticism and length.

Josaiah Stewart, edge, Michigan

(3rd)

The 6-1, 249-pounder transferred from Coastal Carolina to Michigan halfway through his college career and was second-team All-Big Ten last season. Stewart didn’t participate in any testing during the draft lead-up because of a hamstring injury, but he showed explosion on tape and could go higher than many think.

Xavier Watts, safety, Notre Dame

(3rd)

The 6-foot, 205-pounder led the FBS with seven interceptions in 2023 and followed up with six more in 2024. He “would fit best in a split-safety, zone-heavy scheme, in which he can play two-deep and underneath zone,” Brugler wrote.

Day 3

Anthony Belton, offensive tackle, N.C. State

(3rd-4th)

If the Falcons wait until Day 3 to take a tackle, it probably will be a developmental player. The 6-6, 306-pound Belton fits that mold.

Cobee Bryant, cornerback, Kansas

(6th)

The 6-foot, 180-pounder is small and not fast but competes and had eight interceptions the last two seasons.

Teddye Buchanan, linebacker, Cal

(5th)

The 6-2, 233-pounder played four seasons at UC Davis before an All-ACC season at Cal last year.

Oronde Gadsden II, tight end, Syracuse

(4th)

The 6-5, 241-pounder is a better athlete than blocker at the moment but has room to improve.

Maxen Hook, safety, Toledo

(4th-5th)

The 6-1, 201-pounder was first-team All-MAC the last three seasons and would contribute right away on special teams.

Cam Horsley, defensive tackle, Boston College

(5th)

The 6-3, 312-pounder is a powerful run defender who could give Atlanta nose tackle snaps right away.

Emery Jones Jr., offensive tackle, LSU

(4th-5th)

The 6-5, 315-pounder needs technique help but was second-team All-SEC in each of the last two seasons.

Sai’vion Jones, edge, LSU

(3rd-4th)

The 6-6, 283-pounder has ideal height, weight and length but not ideal athleticism or technique.

Kyle Kennard, edge, South Carolina

(4th)

The 6-4, 251-pounder had four average seasons at Georgia Tech and then broke out with 11 1/2 sacks at South Carolina last year.

Drew Kendall, center, Boston College

(4th)

The 6-4, 308-pounder is Brugler’s No. 4 center and could be an option for an Atlanta team replacing Drew Dalman.

Demetrius Knight Jr., linebacker, South Carolina

(3rd-4th)

The 6-2, 235-pounder, who spent six seasons in college, is an old-school run-stopping linebacker.

Willie Lampkin, center, North Carolina

(UFDA)

The 5-11, 279-pounder might be worth a seventh-round flyer because of his good tape and natural leverage despite his small stature.

Kain Medrano, linebacker, UCLA

(4th)

The 6-3, 222-pounder grew up on a cattle ranch and has 4.46 speed that shows up on film.

Aeneas Peebles, defensive tackle, Virginia Tech

(3rd-4th)

The 6-foot, 282-pounder improved his stock with a good week at the Senior Bowl and could provide some interior pass rush snaps right away.

Darien Porter, cornerback, Iowa State

(3rd)

The 6-3, 195-pounder didn’t start a game until his sixth college season but had three blocked punts and has blazing speed (4.3).

Caleb Ransaw, cornerback, Tulane

(4th-5th)

The 6-foot, 197-pounder has average size and great speed (4.33 40), but he had only one interception and nine pass breakups in four collegiate seasons.

Que Robinson, edge, Alabama

(5th-6th)

The 6-4, 243-pounder spent five mostly quiet years at Alabama but had seven sacks in nine games last season.

Kaimon Rucker, edge, North Carolina

(6th)

The 6-2, 255-pounder started 35 collegiate games in five seasons but doesn’t have the measurables to be an early-round pick.

Deone Walker, defensive tackle, Kentucky

(4th)

The 6-7, 328-pounder is an impressive athlete and can play all along the defensive line but needs better technique.

Cameron Williams, offensive tackle, Texas

(4th)

The 6-6, 334-pounder is raw but has played right tackle in a wide zone offense and has ideal size.

(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

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