Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — College pro days are in full swing, which means NFL executives and coaches are on the move. Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris being two of those individuals.
It's been well reported the Falcons brass made a quick trip to Athens a couple weeks ago, and this week, to Huntington, West Virginia. Spoiler alert! I am drafting an edge rusher from the latter to the Falcons in this Mock Draft 4.0.
(And don't worry: Trades are imminent in my April mocks).
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, WR, EDGE, LB, S
Analysis: Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi may have said this week that "everything is still on the table" as it relates to the No. 1 overall draft pick this year. But is it really...?
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, OL, EDGE, RB, S
Analysis: I have a slight suspicion that the Browns will figure out their quarterback situation before the draft gets here. Or they will at least have a plan in place that involves one they maybe don't have to draft to obtain.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, LB, CB, DL, long-term QB
Analysis: The biggest news of the week involved the Giants signing Russell Wilson on a one-year deal. This doesn't solve their quarterback situation in the longterm, but it does push that need down the road a little bit. I think it pushes it enough to not go QB at No. 3.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, DL, RB, TE, S
Analysis: With more time passing, Membou's stock seems to be rising for draft experts. It's why he finds a home with New England.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: DL, CB, S, OL, WR
Analysis: I told y'all last week that I was going to try and make it so Walker didn't go to the Panthers (as has been the case in every mock to this point). Well, this was my trade off. Do the Jaguars need an interior guy more than an edge guy? Sure. But what if they value Walker over the options at defensive tackle? I'm just saying...
Biggest needs per NFL.com: RB, WR, CB, OL, LB
Analysis: I had been toying around with this idea of Jeanty to the Raiders for a couple weeks. But I hadn't pulled the proverbial trigger on the pick yet. But as I perused mock drafts this week, more and more experts had this pairing together. To the point I couldn't pass it up, either.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, TE, S, DL
Analysis: Yes, I drafted Campbell to the Jets last week. Yes, I will probably do it again.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, S, CB, WR, DL
Analysis: I guess I just can't stop giving the Panthers a Georgia guy.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, OL, WR, DL, QB
Analysis: I do think the option to go offense with this pick is still very much in the cards for the Saints. But I think even they'd agree cornerback is their biggest need at this point.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, RB, EDGE, WR, TE
Analysis: Probably not the pick you were thinking I'd make here? Me too. I think the reason I ultimately chose this is because I think Warren is one of the best all-around talents in the draft. It's getting more difficult for me to leave him out of the top-10.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: DL, EDGE, OL, RB, CB
Analysis: This feels like a real best-play-available meets biggest-team-need strategy.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: WR, RB, CB, LB, DL
Analysis: If Jeanty was still on the board perhaps this pick would go his way (as it has for a many of my mocks so far). But if he's not, I like the idea of going with my favorite receiver in the draft. Keep Golden in the Longhorn state.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, DL, S, CB, TE
Analysis: Though I think there are many who would prioritize the offensive line for Miami this year, I actually think a more pressing need is at safety. Without Jevon Holland around, there is an obvious next chapter that needs to take form in Miami at safety.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: TE, OL, LB, EDGE, RB
Analysis: If the Colts aren't getting Warren, they're getting Loveland. I don't make the rules.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, DL, CB, OL, S
Analysis: Alright y'all. This is a selection a large faction of you are wanting. So, I am here to oblige.
It was reported this week that head coach Raheem Morris made the quick trip to Marshall for Green's pro day. Perhaps — as my headline states — they liked what they saw when they did.
The biggest question about Green is whether or not stiffer competition from what he faced with Marshall will minimize his production. If this pick comes to pass, we shall see.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, EDGE, DL, CB
Analysis: I am OK with the way the Cardinals offensive line is shaping out. It's not great, but I think it's doing well enough that I wouldn't mind them going receiver at No. 16.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, S, LB, OL, CB
Analysis: This pick is me reasoning that the Bengals ultimately get a deal done with Trey Hendrickson. If they do, finding an edge rusher isn't as pressing of a need as finding a plug-and-play safety, which Emmanwori could be.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, CB, S, DL
Analysis: The Seahawks could use a little more oomph in their interior. Booker may be a tackle to some evaluators, but others have him as a prime candidate to move inside. Perhaps the Seattle brass are among those "others."
Biggest needs per NFL.com: LB, CB, EDGE, S, OL
Analysis: Ah yes, another best-play-available meets biggest-team-need strategy unfolding here.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: RB, WR, CB, TE, DL
Analysis: I think the Broncos are set to pick up an offensive weapon with pick No. 20. It's just a matter of who they deem the best of the bunch left at this point. I would argue in this draft, it's Hampton.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: QB, RB, DL, WR, OL
Analysis: This is another example of me putting my money on the Steelers figuring out their quarterback situation before the draft gets here. Would this mean Shedeur Sanders falls out of the first round? Without a trade, it's maybe up for debate.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: TE, WR, DL, RB, EDGE
Analysis: There's no doubt in my mind the Chargers have to prioritize offensive playmakers in this draft. Like the Broncos, they'll take the best one available off the board.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, WR, EDGE, DL, OL
Analysis: The more I see of Barron and his versatility the more I think any team with a need in the secondary could covet him. The Packers are such a team.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, OL, S, LB, DL
Analysis: The Vikings could use a starting corner and interior lineman. With Barron coming off the board in the pick before, they go with the latter.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, WR, DL, S, CB
Analysis: I find it hard to believe the Texans won't further secure their offensive line with this pick. I feel like Simmons is one of the most ready-made lineman in the class despite a season-ending injury last season.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: LB, CB, OL, TE, WR
Analysis: There are key spots in this Rams secondary that will be up for grabs sooner rather than later. Grabbing a top corner in 2025 could help smooth out the transition of aging defensive backs.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: OL, CB, S, DL, EDGE
Analysis: Banks is another collegiate lineman who has the upside of moving inside, which is an area the Ravens need a starter in... like now.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, OL, S, DL, WR
Analysis: It feels like a done deal that the Lions are going to want to go edge rusher with this pick. It's just a matter of who's available. That would be Stewart this week.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: EDGE, CB, WR, S, OL
Analysis: And it would seem the Commanders are following the same strategy as the Lions.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: CB, DL, WR, EDGE, S
Analysis: Honestly, I could have gone three-for-three on edge rushers with the last three picks. But I wanted a little variety. So, here's a defensive tackle!
Biggest needs per NFL.com: DT, OL, EDGE, S, WR
Analysis: And we're right back to edge rusher. Who would have thought.
Biggest needs per NFL.com: S, DL, CB, EDGE, OL
Analysis: You didn't think I would stray too far from the front seven for this pick did you?
