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Atlanta Falcons 2020 NFL Draft grades: A lesson in not letting desperation control the board

By Josh Hill

Clemson Tigers - A.J. Terrell (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Clemson Tigers - A.J. Terrell (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – SEPTEMBER 07: Sterling Hofrichter #10 of the Syracuse Orange punts the ball during a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on September 7, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – SEPTEMBER 07: Sterling Hofrichter #10 of the Syracuse Orange punts the ball during a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on September 7, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Fresno. player. 897. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. LB. Mykal Walker. 119

Defensive depth has proven to be something championship teams need in order to be successful, which seems to be what Atlanta is going for with Mykal Walker. He’s an athletic off-ball linebacker who can go sideline-to-sideline — an orgy of football-isms that get coaches hot and bothered — who adds depth to a position of serious need.

When we look back at this class in a few years, Jaylinn Hawkins might be the Falcons best pick of the draft. He fills a need in the secondary and can become a serious problem in the passing game with his coverage skills. Hawkins flew under the radar a little thanks to Ashytn Davis stealing the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean he’s not just as talented.

Circle Hawkins and come back to him in a few years, when teams will be re-thinking why they passed on him and let him fall to Atlanta this late in the draft.

7th Round

Pick Analysis. Syracuse. 827. player. Scouting Report. P. Sterling Hofrichter. 228

Cut a punter, draft a punter!

Look, the seventh round is a tough place to find value. The list of players drafted in the seventh round who developed into great players is slim. There’s no shame in taking a punter, especially when it can be justified by filling a position of need.

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