2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold goes to Browns

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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne (94) looks to make a tackle during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

26. player. 44. . Defensive Tackle. Alabama. Da'Ron Payne

The Atlanta Falcons came into the 2017 season fresh off one of the worst Super Bowl losses of all-time. The Falcons blew a seemingly impossible to overcome lead, as the New England Patriots came back from a 28-3 deficit in the second half. Well, the team had a typical hangover from that to start the season, but they rebounded well, and found themselves back in the playoffs.

While they did not have the kind of playoff run they had the year before, they were still impressive last season. Heading into 2018, they need to get better on the defensive side of the ball, especially up front. This draft class has some solid defensive tackles in it, and after you get past Vita Vea and Maurice Hurst, Da’Ron Payne is another guy who should hear his name called in the first round.

Payne was a big reason why the Alabama Crimson Tide won two of the last three national titles, and he is going to be a great player at the next level. The Falcons have terrific pass rushers on the edges already, and inserting a player like Payne in the middle of their defense will help take the pressure off of guys like Vic Beasley Jr. Atlanta will be a playoff team again in 2018, and they could make it to their second Super Bowl in three years.

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