2018 NFL mock draft: Baker Mayfield heads to Jets

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 14: Baker Mayfield
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 14: Baker Mayfield /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies looks across the line of scrimmage prior to a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies looks across the line of scrimmage prior to a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Washington. Vita Vea. 26. player. 44. . Defensive Tackle

At the beginning of the 2017 NFL season, it looked like the Atlanta Falcons would suffer a hangover from their terrible loss in Super Bowl LI. It did take a while for them to get going, but they eventually found their stride, grabbing one of the Wild Card spots in the NFC. In fact, the Falcons won their Wild Card Round game, setting up a Divisional Round matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in the City of Brotherly Love.

While the Falcons lost that Divisional Round game, they have to be happy with where the franchise is headed. Dan Quinn is a phenomenal head coach, and Steve Sarkisian really finished the year out well as the team’s offensive coordinator. If the Falcons want to take the next step, they have to get better on the defensive side of the ball, especially up front in the interior of the line.

While Vic Beasley Jr. is one of the better pass rushers in the game, the Falcons need help in the middle of their defensive line. During his time at Washington, Vita Vea turned himself into one of the better defensive lineman in the Pac-12, and should be a solid player at the next level. Vea is the kind of player who can make noise against the run, and against the pass, as he has the strength to move offensive lineman with ease.