Flick's Falcons Mailbag: Lukas Van Ness or Nolan Smith at No. 8?

Could the Atlanta Falcons be eyeing a 2023 NFL Draft trade-up for a potential top quarterback? What will the decision come down to if they stay at No. 8?

The 2023 NFL Draft is just over a week and a half away - meaning decision time is nearing for the Atlanta Falcons, who hold the No. 8 overall selection.

But how will things play out? Who could the Falcons be interested in?

SI's Falcon Report is here to answer fan questions ahead of the draft, which takes place Apr. 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo.

Let's get into the questions ...

If C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young falls to No. 3, do you see the Falcons trading up? - @Kor5bin

It's an interesting dynamic, as Atlanta's "dream" scenario is reportedly either Stroud or Young falling to No. 8 - but the odds of that are slim to none.

The Falcons' brass - coach Arthur Smith, general manager Terry Fontenot and owner Arthur Blank - have all committed to Desmond Ridder as the team's starter, but work has continued to be done on the draft's top signal callers.

Earlier in the process, Atlanta was one of several teams who reportedly showed interest in trading up to No. 1 before the Carolina Panthers ultimately landed the selection, but the point remains that the Falcons certainly like one, if not both, of Stroud or Young.

That being said, the feeling is that Atlanta won't be overly aggressive in its pursuit of either passer and are more likely to let things play out ahead rather than forcing the issue in a trade-up.

The Tennessee Titans are a team interested in moving up and may just be the favorites to ultimately land No. 3.

Who would you like to see the Falcons target in the 2nd round? - @Fatboi_Slim21

So much of Atlanta's draft plans depend on what happens in the first round, naturally, but assuming that selection addresses defensive end, adding a receiver at No. 44 is very intriguing.

Two names come to mind - Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss) and Tyler Scott (Cincinnati), the latter of whom heavily boosted his odds of being a Round 2 pick with his 4.32 40-yard dash at the Bearcats' pro day.

However, the nod goes to the interior offensive line and North Dakota State's Cody Mauch, a natural fit in the Falcons' wide-zone offense ... and he has perhaps the best headshot of any player in the class.

Though he played tackle for the Bison, Mauch's short arms (32 5/8-inches) will likely lead him to play inside in the NFL, and he could be an early starter at left guard for the Falcons.

Between the two, Nolan Smith or Lukas Van Ness? - @HimJ1122

Assuming Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson is off the board, it's quite possible the Falcons' selection comes down to this question.

Atlanta really likes Nolan Smith - there's been plenty of conversations had about him, and he's flown up draft boards to the point where he's firmly in play to be a top-10 pick.

But in our latest mock, Van Ness received the honor, fresh off a private workout with both Fontenot and Arthur Smith in attendance.

The question with Georgia's Smith is where he plays on the Falcons' defense - at off-ball linebacker, Atlanta has Troy Andersen and Kaden Elliss under contract for the next three years in a two-linebacker league.

Among outside linebackers, the Falcons spent second- and third-round picks on Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone, respectively, just last year, and liked the progress both made. Further, the team re-signed Lorenzo Carter, who started every game off the edge last season, to a two-year deal.

But among true defensive ends, the Falcons have Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, both on one-year deals, and Ade Ogundeji, who's viewed as a better run defender than pass rusher.

Thus, the need for someone like the 6-5, 272-pound Van Ness seems to trump that of Smith - even if Atlanta truly does love the latter.

What’s the likelihood of trading up vs. trading back in the 1st, given that there will be suitors for both? - @thouxanbancolin

It'd be a different conversation a few weeks, but with Smith and Van Ness both rising up boards, the Falcons seem more likely to stay at No. 8 than anything else at this stage.

On that note, there are plenty of intriguing options on a trade down, such as Texas running back Bijan Robinson and Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy, who's had a formal meeting and top-30 visit with Atlanta.

The Falcons currently have only 11 roster spots open so there's not a huge need to add picks, but with the gap between their fourth- and seventh-round selections spanning 111 slots, moving down seems more plausible than up.

The aforementioned move up to No. 3 shouldn't be ruled out, especially if Alabama edge defender Will Anderson makes it there, but once more, the idea of going up is less likely than staying put or moving down.

Could you see them trading up in the second for a receiver or interior offensive lineman? They traded their second in the last two drafts. - @AndiATL

Absolutely, especially as some evaluators around the league believe that a pair of centers in Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz and Wisconsin's Joe Tippmann can both play guard at the next level.

The problem lies in the fact that each could be first-round selections and, if not, likely won't have to wait long to hear their name's called on night two - which leads to the trade-up pathway.

Fontenot, as you mentioned, has proven to be willing to move in the second round, going both ways through his first two drafts.

Still, as things stand, the Falcons have needs to address at receiver and left guard and would like to keep adding corners, safeties, big-bodied linebackers and running backs, particularly as the draft progresses.

Paying the price expected (likely 10 spots) to get Schmitz or Tippmann should they fall would take Atlanta out of position to add that preferred depth, but it's a worthwhile cost to fill a starting spot.

With where the Falcons are sitting right now, would you go corner first round and d-line in the second or vice versa? - @MarkReimers5

After acquiring Jeff Okudah from the Detroit Lions, the idea of the Falcons leaving the corner market in the draft became popular, but all options remain on the table.

Okudah's fifth-year option isn't expected to be picked up, while veteran starter Casey Hayward is entering the last year of his deal. Further, newly signed nickel Mike Hughes has an out in his contract after 2023 should the Falcons choose to exercise it.

So, there's a long-term need at corner opposite All-Pro A.J. Terrell ... but it's probable that the new additions allow Atlanta to wait until the third or fourth round to address it.

Defensive end is the heavy favorite for the Falcons' No. 8 overall pick now a week-and-a-half out, and the team is reportedly looking to "attack" the safety market - perhaps bumping corner even further down the pecking order.

The Falcons worked extensively with a pair of Day 3 corners at the Shrine Bowl in San Jose State's Nehemiah Shelton and Western Kentucky's Kahlef Hailassie, and both could be in play in the later rounds.

Louisville's Kei'Trel Clark is a staff favorite but has starred during the pre-draft process and could go top-100, leaving Atlanta in a precarious spot.

But to answer the question, defensive end early and corner a bit later seems most likely at the moment.

Favorite prospect that’s not a fit for the Falcons? - @Falcons_Drip

UCLA guard Atonio Mafi plays with a ton of power and violence. He has a chance to be a solid starter for years in a power-gap scheme but doesn't quite fit the athletic profile needed for the wide-zone.

Nonetheless, if consistent finishing is your thing from offensive lineman, Mafi checks that box.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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