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.
Advertisement
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).
Advertisement
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)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Sound Smart: 6 Observations from Sunday’s Week 15 Slate
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.) — You saw the Buffalo Bills take down the Patriots in New England. You saw the Denver Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers in a cross-conference matchup that might've been a Super Bowl preview. You saw the Los Angeles Rams remind everyone who's the NFL's best team with a win over the Detroit Lions.So let's try to spin it forward, dive deeper and think outside the box about what we witnessed in Week 15. This is "Sound Smart," where we prepare you for Monday morning with seven observations from the Sunday slate. If I do my job, you’ll be fluent in the NFL’s Week 15 action.1. IF THERE'S ONLY ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW FROM SUNDAY … Josh Allen stole Drake Maye’s MVP momentFor the longest time, people have compared Josh Allen to Patrick Mahomes, starting from when […]
Stydím se, že jsem Nor. Biatlonová legenda Björndalen pálí do vlastních řad
Druhá nejlepší Norka v celkovém hodnocení Světového poháru uplynulé sezony byla už na jaře vyřazena z reprezentace. Výbušná zpráva tehdy způsobila silné reakce a ožehavé téma se nyní vrací zpět.Knottenová před přípravou na olympijskou sezonu oznámila, že má jiné představy o plánovaném vysokohorském soustředění, než mají reprezentační kouči. Zdůrazňovala, že na vysokohorský trénink reaguje každé tělo jinak a ona ze svých zkušeností ví, že potřebuje individuální přístup.Místo hledání alternativ, ale byla z reprezentace vyhozena a odsouzena k přípravě ve vlastní režii a s vlastními náklady.„Je znepokojující, že tak skvělou biatlonistku vykopnou z národního týmu a že nedostane žádnou podporu před olympijskou sezonou. Od svazu je tohle znepokojující a naprosto zoufalý krok. Každý trénink, letenky, kouče, všechno si musela organizovat sama,“ stěžoval si během víkendu v Hochfilzenu Björndalen pro TV2.Vzhledem k tomu, že dvojnásobná stříbrná medailistka z MS Knottenová, je pro Norsko směrem k medailovým ambicím ve štafetách naprosto klíčová, zdá se být jednání vedení reprezentace jako […]
Salah recebe forte apoio de estrela do Liverpool: “Quero que ele fique”
Mohamed Salah causou um enorme alvoroço em Anfield há alguns dias. Após a partida da liga contra o Leeds, ele foi à mídia e declarou abertamente que está decepcionado com sua situação. Criticou o clube e Arne Slot, afirmando que sua relação com o técnico está completamente deteriorada. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEO clube precisou reagir e o afastou da partida contra a Inter de Milão. No entanto, Salah rapidamente voltou à equipe e até jogou no sábado (13) contra o Brighton, contribuindo com uma assistência para o segundo gol de Hugo Ekitike.Na última semana, muito se falou sobre o futuro de Salah. A mídia não poupou especulações, sugerindo que sua saída de Anfield é inevitável e que uma transferência no mercado de inverno é praticamente certa. Embora não dê para descartar nada definitivamente, o jogador segue enigmático. Ele tem sido associado principalmente […]
Casagrande detona pênalti perdido por Gabigol contra o Corinthians: ‘Inadmissível e patético’
Gabigol perdeu a sua cobrança e foi detonado por Casagrande (Credit: Foto Arena LTDA/Alamy Live News)O comentarista Walter Casagrande não perdoou o atacante Gabigol. O camisa 9 do Cruzeiro perdeu uma penalidade máxima decisiva na semifinal da Copa do Brasil, neste domingo, na Neo Química Arena, contra o Corinthians. O jogo terminou com a vitória do Timão por 5 a 4, que foi à final da competição. Em sua participação no programa “Fim de Papo”, da TV UOL, Casagrande detonou a postura do ex-Flamengo na ocasião. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESegundo Casão, Gabigol não considerou a cobrança como importante e usou de muita displicência para bater. Caso marcasse, o Cruzeiro eliminaria o Corinthians. Mas não foi o caso: Hugo Souza fez a defesa até com certa tranquilidade e voltaria a fazer outra defesa na cobrança de Walace, classificando, assim, o Timão para fazer […]
Rusko přichází o další tenistku. Mladá hráčka se rozhodla reprezentovat Uzbekistán
Polina Kuděrmetovová se v žebříčku WTA nejvýše vyšplhala v dubnu na 54. místo, aktuálně jí patří 104. místo. Jejím největším úspěchem je finálová účast v lednu v Brisbane. Větší triumfy sbírá její o šest let starší sestra Veronika, která letos slavila wimbledonský titul ve čtyřhře.Mladší ze sesterského dua už však nebude hájit ruské barvy. Po vzoru Marie Timofejevové a Kamilly Rachimovové se rozhodla reprezentovat Uzbekistán. Podobně jako u jejich kolegyň za změnou zřejmě stojí hlavně logistické důvody, jelikož získání víz do některých destinací, kde se pořádají turnaje, bude s ruským pasem složité.Od roku 2022 změnilo občanství celkem devět ruských tenistek. Posledními případy jsou Anastasija Potapovová, která bude reprezentovat Rakousko.Před ní se obdobně rozhodly také Darja Kasatkinová (Austrálie), Elina Avanesjanová (Arménie) a Natela Dzalamidzeová (Gruzie). Dvojice Varvara Gračovová a Ksenia Jefremovová se oblékla do francouzských barev.
Kilmarnock sack Kettlewell after 10-game winless run
Kilmarnock have sacked manager Stuart Kettlewell after less than seven months in charge.The former Motherwell and Ross County boss took over at Rugby Park on a two-year deal in May, replacing Derek McInnes who had left for Hearts. However, Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen extended Kilmarnock's winless run to 10 matches - leaving the club 11th in the Scottish Premiership, just three points clear of bottom-side Livingston, who have a game in hand. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of Kettlewell's last match as Kilmarnock manager, as his side lost at Aberdeen In a statement, Kilmarnock confirmed Kettlewell's assistant Stephen Frail had also been relieved of his duties.The club added that Kris Doolan, who was set to be appointed as head of development and under-19s manager, will take interim charge of first team duties alongside […]
Related
Sound Smart: 6 Observations from Sunday’s Week 15 Slate
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.) — You saw the Buffalo Bills take down the Patriots in New England. You saw the Denver Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers in a cross-conference matchup that might've been a Super Bowl preview. You saw the Los Angeles Rams remind everyone who's the NFL's best team with a win over the Detroit Lions.So let's try to spin it forward, dive deeper and think outside the box about what we witnessed in Week 15. This is "Sound Smart," where we prepare you for Monday morning with seven observations from the Sunday slate. If I do my job, you’ll be fluent in the NFL’s Week 15 action.1. IF THERE'S ONLY ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW FROM SUNDAY … Josh Allen stole Drake Maye’s MVP momentFor the longest time, people have compared Josh Allen to Patrick Mahomes, starting from when […]
Stydím se, že jsem Nor. Biatlonová legenda Björndalen pálí do vlastních řad
Druhá nejlepší Norka v celkovém hodnocení Světového poháru uplynulé sezony byla už na jaře vyřazena z reprezentace. Výbušná zpráva tehdy způsobila silné reakce a ožehavé téma se nyní vrací zpět.Knottenová před přípravou na olympijskou sezonu oznámila, že má jiné představy o plánovaném vysokohorském soustředění, než mají reprezentační kouči. Zdůrazňovala, že na vysokohorský trénink reaguje každé tělo jinak a ona ze svých zkušeností ví, že potřebuje individuální přístup.Místo hledání alternativ, ale byla z reprezentace vyhozena a odsouzena k přípravě ve vlastní režii a s vlastními náklady.„Je znepokojující, že tak skvělou biatlonistku vykopnou z národního týmu a že nedostane žádnou podporu před olympijskou sezonou. Od svazu je tohle znepokojující a naprosto zoufalý krok. Každý trénink, letenky, kouče, všechno si musela organizovat sama,“ stěžoval si během víkendu v Hochfilzenu Björndalen pro TV2.Vzhledem k tomu, že dvojnásobná stříbrná medailistka z MS Knottenová, je pro Norsko směrem k medailovým ambicím ve štafetách naprosto klíčová, zdá se být jednání vedení reprezentace jako […]
Salah recebe forte apoio de estrela do Liverpool: “Quero que ele fique”
Mohamed Salah causou um enorme alvoroço em Anfield há alguns dias. Após a partida da liga contra o Leeds, ele foi à mídia e declarou abertamente que está decepcionado com sua situação. Criticou o clube e Arne Slot, afirmando que sua relação com o técnico está completamente deteriorada. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEO clube precisou reagir e o afastou da partida contra a Inter de Milão. No entanto, Salah rapidamente voltou à equipe e até jogou no sábado (13) contra o Brighton, contribuindo com uma assistência para o segundo gol de Hugo Ekitike.Na última semana, muito se falou sobre o futuro de Salah. A mídia não poupou especulações, sugerindo que sua saída de Anfield é inevitável e que uma transferência no mercado de inverno é praticamente certa. Embora não dê para descartar nada definitivamente, o jogador segue enigmático. Ele tem sido associado principalmente […]
Casagrande detona pênalti perdido por Gabigol contra o Corinthians: ‘Inadmissível e patético’
Gabigol perdeu a sua cobrança e foi detonado por Casagrande (Credit: Foto Arena LTDA/Alamy Live News)O comentarista Walter Casagrande não perdoou o atacante Gabigol. O camisa 9 do Cruzeiro perdeu uma penalidade máxima decisiva na semifinal da Copa do Brasil, neste domingo, na Neo Química Arena, contra o Corinthians. O jogo terminou com a vitória do Timão por 5 a 4, que foi à final da competição. Em sua participação no programa “Fim de Papo”, da TV UOL, Casagrande detonou a postura do ex-Flamengo na ocasião. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESegundo Casão, Gabigol não considerou a cobrança como importante e usou de muita displicência para bater. Caso marcasse, o Cruzeiro eliminaria o Corinthians. Mas não foi o caso: Hugo Souza fez a defesa até com certa tranquilidade e voltaria a fazer outra defesa na cobrança de Walace, classificando, assim, o Timão para fazer […]
Rusko přichází o další tenistku. Mladá hráčka se rozhodla reprezentovat Uzbekistán
Polina Kuděrmetovová se v žebříčku WTA nejvýše vyšplhala v dubnu na 54. místo, aktuálně jí patří 104. místo. Jejím největším úspěchem je finálová účast v lednu v Brisbane. Větší triumfy sbírá její o šest let starší sestra Veronika, která letos slavila wimbledonský titul ve čtyřhře.Mladší ze sesterského dua už však nebude hájit ruské barvy. Po vzoru Marie Timofejevové a Kamilly Rachimovové se rozhodla reprezentovat Uzbekistán. Podobně jako u jejich kolegyň za změnou zřejmě stojí hlavně logistické důvody, jelikož získání víz do některých destinací, kde se pořádají turnaje, bude s ruským pasem složité.Od roku 2022 změnilo občanství celkem devět ruských tenistek. Posledními případy jsou Anastasija Potapovová, která bude reprezentovat Rakousko.Před ní se obdobně rozhodly také Darja Kasatkinová (Austrálie), Elina Avanesjanová (Arménie) a Natela Dzalamidzeová (Gruzie). Dvojice Varvara Gračovová a Ksenia Jefremovová se oblékla do francouzských barev.
Kilmarnock sack Kettlewell after 10-game winless run
Kilmarnock have sacked manager Stuart Kettlewell after less than seven months in charge.The former Motherwell and Ross County boss took over at Rugby Park on a two-year deal in May, replacing Derek McInnes who had left for Hearts. However, Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen extended Kilmarnock's winless run to 10 matches - leaving the club 11th in the Scottish Premiership, just three points clear of bottom-side Livingston, who have a game in hand. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of Kettlewell's last match as Kilmarnock manager, as his side lost at Aberdeen In a statement, Kilmarnock confirmed Kettlewell's assistant Stephen Frail had also been relieved of his duties.The club added that Kris Doolan, who was set to be appointed as head of development and under-19s manager, will take interim charge of first team duties alongside […]
Be the first to leave a comment