2017 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons 7-round mock
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Falcons only have six selections in the 2017 NFL Draft. Here is a look at what they could do with their six picks in this mock draft.
It’s only been a handful of weeks since the Atlanta Falcons blew a 25-point lead in Super Bowl LI. That was as painful of a loss as any NFL team could experience. However, Atlanta should still be one of the better teams in the NFC next year. Maybe they get back to the Super Bowl in Minneapolis in February?
Atlanta didn’t really do much in free agency outside of landing defensive end Jack Crawford and defensive tackle Dontari Poe. While the Falcons will still look to build through the 2017 NFL Draft, they only have six picks. That’s tied for the fewest in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. Keep in mind their sixth-round pick belongs to the Tennessee Titans via the Andy Levitre trade two offseasons ago.
Fortunately, Atlanta doesn’t have any devastating needs to be filled with their roster. General manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn can pragmatically take players that are ideal scheme fits this draft. Here is a look at what the Falcons could do in this 2017 NFL mock draft.
First Round
Forrest Lamp
Offensive Guard/Tackle, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
There are two areas Atlanta will need to address in the first few rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft: offensive guard and pass rusher. Though Atlanta could go with a defensive end/outside linebacker at No. 31, why not target the best offensive line prospect in the draft in Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp.
This is not a great offensive line draft class in the slightest. Presumably only three or four players will go in the first round out of that position group. The only guard of that bunch is Lamp, who played that position for two Conference USA champion Hilltoppers teams as an upperclassmen.
In theory, Lamp could kick out to tackle to spell either Jake Matthews or Ryan Schraeder. Then again, those guys seem well-entrenched at left tackle and right tackle, respectively. Atlanta now has a glaring vacancy at right guard with Chris Chester retiring. Chester had his moments with the Falcons, but was the weak point of the 2016 Falcons offensive line.
Lamp is incredibly versatile and would make for an elite offensive interior with center Alex Mack and left guard Andy Levitre. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Dimitroff trade up a few slots from No. 31 to draft Lamp. Not saying he’s a sure thing at the next level, but Lamp has Pro Bowl potential as an offensive linemen.