Falcons 2021 Mock Draft: Which direction does new regime go?
The Falcons started their offseason on a very strong note by naming the Titans’ offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, as the team’s new head coach along with the Saints’ director of pro scouting, Terry Fontenot, as Atlanta’s new general manager.
Fans are already speculating as to which direction the Falcons will go in the draft, so let’s take a stab at what may happen down the road.
Round 1, Pick 4: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Arthur Smith's offense is centered around a dominant run game with heavy use of play-action passing. As a matter of fact, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill led the league in percentage of play-action throws (36 percent) in 2020. To be successful in a play-action offense, you must have the ability to make quick progressions, play light on your feet, have a high football IQ and be able to move the compass laterally and horizontally when you keep it on the ground. Trey Lance can do all of that. The North Dakota State product is a pro-ready quarterback that took snaps from under center in college. Lance's offensive coordinator, Tyler Roehl, thinks he would be a great fit in Atlanta's new scheme.
"I think he would fit really well -- with what they do as a pro-style offense and some similarities to NDSU, it would be an easier transition," said Roehl. "They do some of the under center play-action passes that are very similar to us and I see a good mix of what they do in what we do here at NDSU. With him being able to learn from Matt Ryan, that would also be very beneficial."
Ryan's contract is front loaded so the team can assess a possible regression in his later years. If Atlanta's plan was to draft his successor in 2022, the team's top-five draft position has accelerated that plan.
Round 2, Pick 35: RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina
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As previously stated, Smith's offense demands a powerful run game, and Javonte Williams one of the top three running back in the class. His contact balance is remarkable and he has a big-bodied frame which will appeal to the eyes of Derrick Henry's former play-caller. At 5'10", 220 pounds, Williams is exactly the type of back Atlanta will be aiming for. He's dynamic, explosive and also an every-down threat, making the play-calling for Arthur Smith a whole lot easier. If Williams has a strong combine, as I expect him to, the Falcons probably won't get another chance to draft him after their second-round pick.
Round 3, Pick 68: OL Sadarius Hutcherson, South Carolina
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A staple of the Saints' success is their ability to win through the trenches. This is something I believe Terry Fontenot will look to carry over in Atlanta. By no means is the Falcons' offensive line complete, and I imagine Fontenot will look to add pieces to it this offseason. South Carolina's Sadarius Hutcherson is a good fit for what the new regime is going to look for. Shaping in at about 6'4", 320 pounds, Hutcherson is a dominant run blocker with line versatility. New Orleans likes its guards to play with thick frames and have the ability to move and climb. This bodes well for Hutcherson, who has an incredibly strong anchor and plays well in space. In Smith's offense, the guards need to be able to climb to the second level as well. The Titans were the second-ranked team in terms of second-level yards, and third in terms of open-field yards in 2020, according to Football Outsiders.
Round 4, Pick 99: DE Rashad Weaver, Pittsburgh
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The Falcons desperately need an insurgence of talent at defensive end. Weaver fits the bill for the type of pass rusher Terry Fontenot has shown a preference for in the past. Weaver comes in at 6'5', 270 pounds and has a savvy toolbox of techniques. Although he has the build of a strong side defensive end, Weaver can be a dominant threat in the pass rush on all downs in Atlanta due to his athletic ability and his pass rush prowess. I wouldn't be surprised to see the team add pass rush talent in free agency as well.
Round 5, Pick 132: S Shawn Davis, Florida
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Fontenot was a former safety for Tulane from 1999-2002. The Falcons are are going to be in the market for a free safety. Florida's Shawn Davis is a rangy safety with experience in both single high and two-man safety sets. He covers ground quickly and plays with his head on fire. Davis has similar traits to Marcus Williams, but his game still needs some refinement. Atlanta finds a guy with impressive traits and scheme versatility here at pick 132.
Round 6, Pick 163: CB Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon
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Adding cornerback depth never hurts a team. The Falcons, especially, need depth at the position. However, I don't view corner as a top draft need, given the roster holes paired with Terry Fontenot's ability to scout the pro base. Lenoir stands at 5'11", 202 pounds and is not only a core special-teamer, but he also has the ability to play inside or out in a pinch. Since Fontenot took a role in the Saints' draft process in 2015, the team has drafted a cornerback in the fifth round or later roughly a third of the time.
