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2021 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons 7-round mock

By Rucker Haringey

BOCA RATON, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 22: Zach Wilson #1 of the Brigham Young Cougars looks on prior to the game against the Central Florida Knights at FAU Stadium on December 22, 2020 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 22: Zach Wilson #1 of the Brigham Young Cougars looks on prior to the game against the Central Florida Knights at FAU Stadium on December 22, 2020 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Falcons mock draft, Asante Samuel
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 20: Wide Receiver Alex Bachman #1 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons avoids a tackle by Cornerback Asante Samuel, Jr. #26 of the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium during the game on Bobby Bowden Field on October 20, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 38 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Asante Samuel. player. Scouting Report. Cornerback. Florida State. 35. 44. Pick Analysis

Cornerback is another clear need for the Falcons this offseason. They don’t have the cap space required to land a quality starter in free agency. That makes finding a high-quality prospect in the draft a must for Atlanta.

Samuel’s lack of size will keep him out of Round 1, but he’s got every other quality NFL teams are looking for at the cornerback position. He’s got the man-to-man coverage skills required to contribute early for a Falcons defense that needs a boost in that area.

The former Seminoles standout is also a willing tackler despite being slightly undersized. At the very least, his ability to be a quality run supporter shouldn’t be in question. That makes Samuel one of the most well-rounded corners in this year’s class.

Samuel will need help learning how to play quality zone coverage at the next level, but that’s more an issue of lack of reps than any sort of athletic deficiency. Grabbing a plug-and-play starter at cornerback would be great value for the Falcons in Round 2.

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