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2020 NFL Draft: 5 players Falcons could take in Round 1

By Rucker Haringey

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 16: K'Lavon Chaisson #18 of the LSU Tigers in action during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 16: K'Lavon Chaisson #18 of the LSU Tigers in action during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Falcons mock draft
K’Lavon Chaisson of the LSU Tigers (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

If the Falcons want to return to the top of the NFC South standings they need to draft an impact player in the first round of the NFL Draft.

The Falcons still have a lot of high-end talent on their roster, but their lack of depth has prevented them from being real factors in the NFC South recently. That makes this year’s NFL Draft particularly important for Atlanta’s front office.

It’s imperative that the Falcons find an impact player with their No. 16 overall selection. Finding value in the middle of the first round can be tricky, but that can’t be an excuse for the franchise. There will definitely be high-level starters available when Atlanta goes on the clock.

The team’s two biggest needs are finding more edge-rushing talent and upgrading their secondary options. Signing Dante Fowler in free agency should help the former, but remember, he’s a replacement for Vic Beasley. Even if he serves as a significant upgrade it still leaves the Falcons short on pass rushers.

Finding a starting cornerback at No. 16 would also make a lot of sense. The team let Desmond Trufant go in free agency and Isaiah Oliver really struggled in 2019. This class of cornerbacks isn’t great, but there could be solid value in the middle of Round 1.

Don’t be surprised if the Falcons end up with one of the following five players on the first night of the draft.

5. K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU Edge

The Falcons front office should do backflips if Chaisson is still on the board at No. 16. He’s got the talent to go in the top 10. Adding him to the team’s pass-rushing options could go a long way towards fixing Atlanta’s defensive issues.

Chaisson could also be a guy that tempts the Falcons to move up a few spots in Round 1. That would be a very aggressive move for a team with multiple holes, but the reward could be worth the risk.

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