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2018 NFL Draft: Biggest need for each team

By Conor Dorney

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Vita Vea #50 of the Washington Huskies looks to make 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 to make 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) /

Atlanta Falcons: Defensive tackle

With Dontari Poe headed to the division rival Carolina Panthers on a three-year deal, the Falcons will look to add more talent at defensive tackle to fill the literal and figurative hole that Poe leaves behind.

The Falcons were one of the best teams against the run last season, allowing 104.1 yards per game, good for ninth-best in the NFL. The departure of Dontari Poe means that the team must find another run-stuffing option on the interior via the 2018 Draft. Grady Jarrett continues to establish himself as one of the best interior players in the NFL, but Poe’s absence could mean more double-teams for Jarrett in the future.

Atlanta has used its first two selections on defense in each of the past three drafts, and I would expect that trend to continue in the 2018 Draft. This class offers a number of intriguing first-round options and with a run on quarterbacks expected early, the Falcons could have several solid defensive line prospects still on the board at the 26th overall pick.

Washington’s Vita Vea profiles similarly to Poe (6-foot-4 and 347 pounds), a massive body on the interior who also possesses surprising athleticism. He’s more of a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, but Dan Quinn could opt to employ Vea at defensive tackle on early downs and short-yardage to clog up running lanes.

If Vea is off the board, the Falcons could instead turn to more hybrid interior players such as Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne, Florida’s Taven Bryan or Michigan’s Maurice Hurst.

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