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Atlanta Falcons full 2018 NFL mock draft

By John Buhler

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverines in action during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin won 24-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Michigan Wolverines in action during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin won 24-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 25: Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Auden Tate (18) lines up for a play during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Florida Gators on November 25, 2017 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 25: Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Auden Tate (18) lines up for a play during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Florida Gators on November 25, 2017 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Third Round

The Falcons will have to address the receiving position at some point in the draft. Losing speedster Taylor Gabriel to the Chicago Bears in free agency doesn’t help. Though the Falcons have guys like Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Justin Hardy to catch balls from Matt Ryan, Ryan would surely like a big target inside in the form of Florida State’s Auden Tate.

Tate is a massive 6-foot-5, 228 pounds. He has 33 3/4 inch arms and 9 3/8 inch hands. He ran a 4.68 in the 40-yard dash. Tate posted a vertical jump of 31 inches and a broad jump of 112 at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He could help the Falcons’ receiving game tremendously right away.

In college, Tate had 65 career receptions for 957 yards and 16 touchdowns. Though Florida State struggled last fall, Tate proved to be the best end zone target the Seminoles had to offer. Having a big body in the red zone could be huge for inflating Ryan’s passing numbers in 2018.

Keep in mind that the Falcons are also losing tight end Levine Toilolo in free agency. His 6-foot-8 frame will be missed. However, Tate could be more than just a red zone target in Steve Sarkisian’s offense. Being a clear third option to Jones and Sanu should help Tate get more open receiving opportunities as a rookie.

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