1. Who Will Be Available at 17?
It's difficult to forecast who will be available when the Falcons are on the clock. Linebackers Darron Lee, Leonard Floyd and Reggie Ragland have been linked to Atlanta; edger rusher Shaq Lawson and linebacker Myles Jack probably won't fall to 17th, but some insiders believe they could make it that far.
2. Will the Falcons Trade for More Picks?
Thomas Dimitroff has pulled the trigger on a draft day trade every year since he came to Atlanta. Will the streak continue this year? It feels probable. With only five choices at their disposal, the Falcons may be inclined to give up the No. 17 choice to acquire more selections. If not, Dimitroff could strike a deal on Day 2 or 3 to add a mid- or late-round pick.
3. Which Positions Will be Prioritized?
The Falcons addressed their two biggest offensive needs—center and wide receiver—during free agency, so it's likely they'll focus on defense at the draft. Most experts believe Atlanta will make a strong push for linebackers: In our final Mock Monitor, nine of 10 writers had the Falcons going that direction in the first round.
4. Will Atlanta Take Any Big Risks?
Like every spring, there are a number of high-risk, high-ceiling prospects who could make sense for Atlanta. Jack, for instance, has superstar potential but is hampered by lingering knee troubles. Jaylon Smith is another supremely talented LB who is dealing with severe knee problems. Given the nerve damage he sustained last fall, the Notre Dame product might not be ready to play until 2017. Then there's Noah Spence, one of the best pass rushers in this class, who dealt with off-field issues before leaving Ohio State for Eastern Kentucky. Will Dimitroff roll the dice on one of them?
5. How Will the Falcons' Moves Compare to the Predictions?
We've spent the last few months poring over mock drafts to gain insight on what the Falcons will do this week. Now that the big event is upon us, it'll be interesting to see which media members—if any—end up being right.
