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Atlanta Falcons 2016 NFL mock draft

By John Buhler

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi /
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Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

First Round: Inside Linebacker Reggie Ragland, Alabama

The Atlanta Falcons need to improve the interior of their defense, particularly in pass defense. While Atlanta has improved at linebacker in 2015, it may be time for the team to use its first round draft selection on the premier inside linebacker in the 2016 NFL Draft in Reggie Ragland.

It seems as though Atlanta will go linebacker with their mid-round pick in the first round. Some are split between Ragland and UCLA’s outside linebacker Myles Jack. Jack maybe the more explosive of the two players, but Ragland seems like more of the sure thing.

If Atlanta has the 14th overall pick, they may opt to move back to 20th or so and not reach for Ragland, while simultaneously acquiring more draft picks. Atlanta will need to do this as they will only have five picks in the 2016 NFL Draft if they do not trade back.

General Manager Thomas Dimitroff has moved up twice in the first round to acquire the player he coveted: 2011 to get wide receiver Julio Jones with the Cleveland Browns’ pick and in 2013 to get cornerback Desmond Trufant with the St. Louis Rams’ pick.

Since there isn’t a premier safety available in the middle of the first round, Atlanta should go linebacker, preferably an inside one over an outside player by taking Ragland in the mid-to-late first round by probably trading back if they can acquire another pick. This maneuver would fill both a dire need in the roster and in the draft process.

Next: Second Round

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