NFL Mock Draft: Falcons Building Upon Improved Secondary?

The Atlanta Falcons hold the No. 8 pick in April's NFL Draft, and the team has options according to NFL analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

Following a 7-10 campaign a season ago, the Atlanta Falcons head into the NFL Draft in an intriguing spot. 

Holding the No. 8 overall selection, ESPN predicts the team will address an already improved secondary compared to last season - selecting Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon. 

"Witherspoon's ability in coverage might be tough to pass up for a defense that struggled last season," ESPN said. "Atlanta could add a great corner to put on the other side of A.J. Terrell ... He allowed 3.3 yards per attempt and zero touchdowns [in 2022] as the primary defender in coverage, according to ESPN's game charting."

In the same mock draft, ESPN predicts Oregon cornerback and All-Pac 12 first-team recipient Christian Gonzalez to be picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders at pick No. 7. 

"The Falcons have been one of the biggest spenders of free agency," ESPN said. "Those moves mean this pick could come down to edge rusher or cornerback, and the Falcons will have options.

Tyree Wilson, a projected top-ten pick among several big boards who noted he'd be "excited" to play for the Falcons, fell to the Tennessee Titans at No. 11 in ESPN's third mock draft heading into April 27th's first round. 

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Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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