Atlanta Falcons mock draft: 7-round 2021 NFL Draft projections with trades

By Vincent Frank

·Updated: April 26, 2021

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Every Atlanta Falcons mock draft starts with the possibility of a trade down from the No. 4 pick. It makes more sense now that the top-three selections in the 2021 NFL Draft are expected to be quarterbacks.

For first-year general manager Terry Fontenot, it’s all about finding a happy medium between acquiring Matt Ryan’s heir-apparent and building up talent on a weakened roster. Remember, Atlanta is coming off a four-win season and has needs on both sides of the field.

Below, we offer a full seven-round Atlanta Falcons mock draft with one blockbuster trade.

Atlanta Falcons mock draft: Trading down, adding talent

Trade: Atlanta Falcons send fourth overall pick to the Denver Broncos for ninth pick, third-round pick in 2021, first-round pick in 2022 and Drew Lock

First round, 9th pick: Patrick Surtain II, cornerback, Alabama

This blockbuster deal gives Atlanta a potential heir-apparent to Matt Ryan without the team having to exhaust a top-five pick on that position. It also yielded new Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot future draft capital as he looks to build up the team’s talent.

In Surtain II, the Falcons get the best cover guy in the entire NFL Draft. He was absolutely dominant for Alabama a season ago, leading the team to the national title. We’re talking about a potential Pro Bowl performer out of the gate and the future face of the Falcons’ defense. It certainly is a need after Atlanta yielded 34 passing touchdowns against a mere 11 interceptions last season.

Second round, 35th pick: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas

Speaking of need and value. Being able to add Ossai in this final Atlanta Falcons mock draft would be an absolute steal for Fontenot. He’s considered a likely first-round selection after recording a combined 27 tackles for loss in his final two seasons with Texas. At 253 pounds and boasting an ability to add to his frame, Ossai is electric off the snap and can get into the offensive backfield in the matter of moments.

Again, this is a need pick for Atlanta after its defense recorded a mere 29 sacks a season ago. It’s one of the primary reasons quarterbacks had success against the then-Raheem Morris led defense. Ossai could change this out of the gate.

Third round, 68th pick: Quinn Meinerz, offensive line, Wisconsin-Whitewater

New Falcons head coach Arthur Smith relies on a combination of a power gap and zone-blocking scheme. The good news? These Falcons have a ton of in-house talent along the offensive line, the likes of left tackle Jake Matthews and interior linemen Matt Hennessy and Chris Lindstrom included.

Even then, the Falcons’ ability to land a potential first-round talent in Round 3 has to be seen as appealing. Meinerz can play both guard and center, eventually cracking the starting lineup in the process. In fact, he’d be an immediate upgrade over projected starting left guard Willie Wright.

Third round, 71st pick: Michael Carter, running back, North Carolina

We saw how much success two-time reigning NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry had in Arthur Smith’s system with the Tennessee Titans. Atlanta will want to find a potential clone if its going to continue running this type of power-heavy scheme. It’s also in this that Carter might be the best fit for the Falcons.

The 202-pound bruiser of a back recorded north of 1,500 total yards and 11 touchdowns at a clip of 8.4 yards per touch with North Carolina a season ago. He’s also a threat out of the backfield and one of the top all-around backs in the entire 2021 NFL Draft. A potential Day 1 starter, Carter would be a coup with one of the picks acquired in the hypothetical trade with the Denver Broncos.

Atlanta Falcons mock draft: Finding hidden jams on Day 3

Fourth round, 108th pick: Tylan Wallace, wide receiver, Oklahoma State
Fifth round, 148th pick: Shaun Wade, safety, Ohio State
Fifth round, 182nd pick: Riley Cole, linebacker, South Alabama
Fifth round, 183rd pick: Chauncey Golston, EDGE, Iowa
Sixth round, 187th pick: Robert Jones, guard, Middle Tennessee
Sixth round, 219th pick: Olaijah Griffin, cornerback, USC

Talk about filling out the remainder of the draft with value, needs and scheme fit. Wallace would make perfect sense as a slot man for Atlanta behind the likes of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.

A former cornerback at Ohio State, Wade seemingly fits better as a safety in the NFL. In fact, his cover skills seems best suited to play center field. It’s a need for the Falcons. Meanwhile, Cole was a standout during the Senior Bowl in Mobile and could very well find his way as a starting middle linebacker in the pros.

With their final three picks, the Falcons nab another underrated edge rusher in Chauncey Golston as well as a potential starting guard in Robert Jones and an unheralded cornerback, Olaijah Griffin.

This Atlanta Falcons mock would be the best of both worlds for the organization. They get a potential franchise quarterback in Drew Lock on the cheap, add future draft capital and select at least half a dozen future starters.