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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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Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jordan Jenkins (59) reacts after making a tackle against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jordan Jenkins (59) reacts after making a tackle against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Fourth Round: Outside Linebacker Jordan Jenkins, Georgia

Should Jordan Jenkins fall to the middle of the fourth round, look for the Atlanta Falcons to get a high quality player for their draft selection. Jenkins was a strong pass rusher for the Georgia Bulldogs all four years in Athens, playing the JACK in the 3-4 base defense, rarely leaving the field.

Dan Quinn would love Jenkins’ motor and both defensive coordinator Richard Smith and linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich would have a potentially great playmaker in the middle of their defense. Georgia is notorious for getting top-10 recruiting classes annually, but rarely live up to high expectations under former head coach Mark Richt.

With players like Justin Houston, Geno Atkins, and Alec Ogletree making weekly impacts on their NFL defenses, the Falcons may take their first Dawg since Akeem Dent in the 2011 NFL Draft. Getting Jenkins in the fourth round could stand as a big payoff for the club, similar to how wide receiver Justin Hardy fell to the team in the fourth round last year or how Atlanta was able to trade up to acquire defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in the top of the fifth round.

The Falcons got improved play from their outside linebackers in free agent acquisitions Justin Durant and O’Brien Schofield, but Brooks Reed has been a massive disappointment in his first year in Flowery Branch. Coach Quinn would like to bring in a high-character guy on the Falcons defense like Jenkins. They would find a spot for him in any of the team’s defensive packages.

Next: Seventh Round

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