2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Falcons could take in Round 1

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates a touchdown with Matt Ryan #2 during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 02, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Christian Wilkins

While Oliver is a guy who can provide the Falcons with exceptional value at No. 14, Wilkins is a prospect who might be a little bit of a reach at that juncture of the draft. Even so, if the Falcons are determined to draft a successor for Jarrett they may zero in on Wilkins as the best defensive tackle available.

Wilkins is a good prospect with a high floor, he just lacks the star power that some of his classmates exude on film. It’s unclear whether or not the Falcons are willing to play it this safe in the first round.

The attraction to Wilkins is that he should be a good guy to play next to Jarrett before he ultimately replaces him. He does a really good job of standing up against the run. Perhaps more importantly, he also projects as an interior defensive lineman who can knife into the backfield and make plays. He’s not going to be a brilliant pass rusher, but he could emerge as a standout run defender.

Wilkins likely represents the floor of what the Falcons will come away with at No. 14. He isn’t a sexy pick by any stretch of the imagination, but he’s a plug and play starter at a position of need for Atlanta.

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