NFL Mock Draft: Dallas Turner Heavy Favorite for Atlanta Falcons?

The Atlanta Falcons have a real opportunity to draft the best overall defender in this year's draft. Will that prospect be Alabama's Dallas Turner?

Jeremy Brener | Apr 9, 2024

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after a / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Atlanta Falcons

There’s a very strong possibility for the Atlanta Falcons to select the best defensive player on their board once the get on the clock at No. 8 overall.

The 2024 NFL Draft, in terms of unknown up top, includes the Falcons. Will Atlanta add another piece on offense to an already loaded group, or instead address their defensive woes?

In this latest mock draft released by Pro Football Focus, Atlanta drafts the first defender up top adding a potential game-changing pass rusher. Would Alabama’s Dallas Turner be the missing element desperately needed for Atlanta?

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (LB26) works out during the / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“A record seven offensive players were taken to start the 2021 NFL Draft. There’s a good chance that the 2024 group could tie that mark, as it does in this mock,” PFF wrote. “Turner has a high ceiling as a pass rusher, something the Falcons have been sorely lacking. Atlanta has ranked outside the top 25 teams in pass-rushing grade in each of the past three seasons.”

Last season for the Crimson Tide, Turner produced 10 sacks in 14 games taking a serious step forward during his junior campaign.

What stands out most with Turner’s draft profile is the freakish length and athleticism on display for someone standing 6’2”, 247 pounds: 83” wingspan (88th percentile), 34 3/8” arms (80th percentile); 4.46 40-yard dash (98th percentile), 40 1/2” vertical jump (97th percentile), 127” broad jump (92nd percentile).

Could you imagine if Turner hits his ceiling for the Falcons, if selected at No. 8 overall? A prospect with this type of production and traits not often presents itself for Atlanta. That’s why Turner continues to be a heavy favorite for draft pundits to end up in Atlanta within the next few weeks.

Published Apr 9, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.