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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold chosen by Browns

By Brad Weiss

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne (94) battles with Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) 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)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne (94) battles with Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) 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) /

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

The Atlanta Falcons rebounded nicely from their horrific loss in the Super Bowl, making it back to the playoffs. Sure, they started off slow, but that was mostly because they were replacing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Nobody blamed them for having a Super Bowl hangover, but they will be expected to get a little deeper in the playoffs during the 2018 NFL season, especially with the amount of talent they have coming back.

Matt Ryan is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and the running back tandem of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman is one of the best in the business. On the defensive side of the ball, Vic Beasley Jr. is a sack master, but he is going to need some help on the interior with Dontari Poe leaving this offseason. The Falcons should spend their first round pick on a defensive tackle, and Da’Ron Payne would be a nice get this late in round one.

Payne played a big role in the Alabama Crimson Tide’s national title win this past season, after having to earn his playing time behind some of the best in college football his first few seasons on campus. He enters the 2018 NFL Draft as a very intriguing prospect, and should hear his name called in the first round. The Falcons have the pieces in place to make another run, and Payne would be quite the addition on that defensive line.

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