*Editor's note: The Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Tracker is an aggregation of reputable mock drafts throughout the country showing who the experts predict the Falcons will pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The tracker has been updated to reflect all mock drafts published through April 26 and will be updated every week. *
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The 2018 NFL Draft is just hours aways, and experts are churning out their final mock drafts predicting what some teams may do this year.
Now that we're in the home stretch, let's take a look at what the current mocks project the Falcons to do in the draft.
(AP photo by Mark Humphrey)
EXPERT: Matt Tabeek - AtlantaFalcons.com
PICK: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 25
TABEEK'S ANALYSIS:"With only one defensive tackle off the board to this point, the Falcons are beyond thrilled to see Da'Ron Payne sitting there at No. 26. Payne is 6-foot-2, 308 pounds and has been described as a wall of granite. Atlanta not only fills a major void at defensive tackle after Dontari Poe signed with the Panthers in free agency, but it comes away with perhaps the most complete defensive lineman in the draft." **To see all of Tabeek's latest mock draft, click here.**
(AP photo by Sue Ogrocki)
EXPERT: Mel Kiper - ESPN Football Analyst
PICK: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 26
KIPER'S ANALYSIS:"This is another great fit for a team that could have one of the best rushing offenses in the league in 2018."To see all of Kiper's latest mock draft, click here.
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Todd McShay - ESPN Senior Writer
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 26
MCSHAY'S ANALYSIS:"Atlanta needs a player to help replace the departed Dontari Poe, and Bryan is a good fit. Bryan has elite first-step quickness, is extremely disruptive for offenses and looks like he's shot out of a cannon sometimes on film. He'll need time to develop his technique and instincts, but there's some Fletcher Cox in his game."To see all of McShay's latest mock draft, click here.
(AP photo by Mark Humphrey)
EXPERT: Charles Davis - NFL.com Media Analyst
PICK: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 24
DAVIS' ANALYSIS:"Plays fast, very good pass-rush skill, speed, power -- exactly the type of player head coach Dan Quinn covets. He will pair nicely with DT Grady Jarrett."To see all of Davis' latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS DAVIS PICKS:
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EXPERT: Peter Schrager - NFL.com Media Analyst
PICK: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 25
SCHRAGER'S ANALYSIS:"You can never have enough cornerbacks in this league. The Falcons go to Bobby Petrino's team (of all places) for their next defensive back. The Charlotte native has the height, speed, and, most importantly, attitude to work well in Marquand Manuel's defense."To see all of Schrager's latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS SCHRAGER PICKS:
(AP photo by Rick Scuteri)
EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah - NFL.com Media Analyst
PICK: Austin Corbett, OG, Nevada
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 26
JEREMIAH'S ANALYSIS:"There are always a couple of surprising names in the first round. Corbett is rock solid on tape and he would plug in at guard right away."To see all of Jeremiah's latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS JEREMIAH PICKS:
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Charley Casserly - NFL.com Media Analyst
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 17
CASSERLY'S ANALYSIS:"Bryan is an upfield defensive tackle who fits coach Dan Quinn's scheme."To see all of Casserly's latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS CASSERLY PICKS:
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Bucky Brooks - NFL.com Analyst
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 26
BROOKS' ANALYSIS:"Dan Quinn loves athletic defensive linemen with non-stop motors. Bryan fits the bill as a dynamic athlete with the size, strength and quickness to overpower blockers at the point of attack."To see all of Brooks' latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS BROOKS PICKS:
(AP photo by Michael Conroy)
EXPERT: Lance Zierlein - NFL.com Media Draft Analyst
PICK: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 3
ZIERLEIN'S ANALYSIS:"Talented, gap-shooting pass rusher meets a defensive line with a need for immediate help and they live happily ever after? Hurst didn't work out at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month after being diagnosed with a heart condition, but he was cleared to participate in Michigan's pro day last week, which was a good sign."To see all of Zierlein's latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS ZIERLEIN PICKS:
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Chad Reuter - NFL.com Draft Analyst
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 20
REUTER'S ANALYSIS:"Bryan is not the same sort of tackle that Dontari Poe was for the Falcons, but his active nature should complement the powerful Grady Jarrett." **To see all of Reuter's latest mock draft, click here.**
*PREVIOUS REUTER PICKS: *
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Chris Trapasso - CBS Sports
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 23
TRAPASSO'S ANALYSIS:"Bryan is a lite version of J.J. Watt. Head coach Dan Quinn would love his versatility as an occasional two-gapper and upfield disruptor in obvious passing situations."To see all of Trapasso's latest mock draft, click here.
- April 16 - Vita Vea, DT, Washington
- April 9 - Vita Vea, DT, Washington
- April 2 - Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
- March 26 - Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
- March 19 - Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
- March 12 - Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
- March 7 - Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
- Feb. 26 - Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
- Feb. 19 - Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech
- Feb. 15 - Vita Vea, DT, Washington
(AP photo by Butch Dill)
EXPERT: R.J. White - CBS Sports
PICK: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 20
WHITE'S ANALYSIS:"The Falcons make a small trade back and pick up a fifth-rounder before taking Ridley, who should be a dynamo No. 2 receiver for the offense and is a great value this late. He'd be a perfect fit for a team with an established No. 1, and if he gets out of the top 20, Ridley could make a playoff-caliber offense that much more dangerous."To see all of White's latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS WHITE PICKS:
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Will Brinson - CBS Sports
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 24
BRINSON'S ANALYSIS:"Just of those guys and teams that makes a lot of sense from a fit perspective." **To see all of Brinson's latest mock draft, click here.**
PREVIOUS BRINSON PICKS:
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Jared Dubin - CBS Sports
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 13
DUBIN'S ANALYSIS:"The Falcons love nothing more than taking plus athletes on defense in the first round. Bryan fits that mold nicely, and would also be a fantastically helpful player for the current iteration of their defense."To see all of Dubin's latest mock draft, click here.
(AP photo by Butch Dill)
EXPERT: Pete Prisco - CBS Sports
PICK: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 19
PRISCO'S ANALYSIS:"They have a good 1-2 combo in Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, but this would be a nice addition for an offense that could use another threat."To see all of Prisco's latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS PRISCO PICKS:
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Ryan Wilson - CBS Sports
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 18
WILSON'S ANALYSIS:"The Falcons lost Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn in free agency and Bryan should still be on the board late in Round 1."To see all of Wilson's latest mock draft, click here.
(AP photo by John Raoux)
EXPERT: Albert Breer - MMQB
PICK: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 17
BREER'S ANALYSIS:"Atlanta lost Dontari Poe, and we all know the premium Dan Quinn puts on building depth on his defensive front."To see all of Breer's latest mock draft, click here.
PREVIOUS BREER PICKS:
(AP photo by Phelan M. Ebanhack)
EXPERT: Steve Palazzolo - Pro Football Focus
PICK: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
LAST MOCK PUBLISHED: April 26
PALAZZOLO'S ANALYSIS:**To see all of Palazzolo's latest mock draft, click here.**
PREVIOUS PALAZZOLO PICKS:
