Falcons Mock Draft: Former GM Makes 'Easy' Pick at No. 8

With offensive players flying off the board, the Atlanta Falcons had their pick of the litter on defense, but was it the right pick with a bonafide No. 1 receiver still on the board?

Rose Bowl Game - Alabama v Michigan / Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Oftentimes, it's easy to overthink what should be a layup.

The Atlanta Falcons need to address their defense in the draft after going all in on improving the offense this offseason, which included signing quarterback Kirk Cousins. Offensive players went with the first seven picks in ESPN analyst and former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum's mock draft, leaving Atlanta with its pick of the defensive players remaining, though, receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze were still available.

Even with the potential No. 1 receivers available, Tannenbaum had the Falcons improving their defense by drafting Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner.

Rose Bowl Game - Alabama v Michigan / Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/GettyImages

"This one is easy," Tannenbaum writes. 'With Kirk Cousins answering the quarterback question, the Falcons can draft the best pass-rusher in this class after they had 42 sacks last season (tied for 21st). He had an incredible workout at the combine, measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and jumping 40.5 inches in the vertical and 10-foot-7 in the broad. Turner had 22.5 sacks over three seasons at Alabama, and I like his movement skills. He can even play in space when necessary. Turner would be highly productive right out of the gate in Raheem Morris' scheme."

Turner was a consensus All-American by nearly every major outlet and a team captain in his final season with the Crimson Tide. He had 11 sacks and 53 tackles, including 15.5 for a loss.

The 6-foot-3, 247-pound edge rusher had the top total score by Next Gen Sports at the NFL Scouting Combine with an 84 and he received a prospect grade of 6.70, projecting him to be a starter in his rookie season. He was second in athleticism score and fourth in production score by Next Gen Sports.

The Falcons defense was solid last season, as they were 11th in yards allowed (321.1) and eighth in passing yards (202.9) allowed per game. There's room for improvement, though, as they were tied for 21st in sacks (42) and 18th in points allowed per game (21.9).

Turner may be a slam dunk and live up to the expectations that come with being the first defensive player off the board. But in this scenario, with Harrison Jr. and Odunze still on the board, Atlanta will have to measure if Turner can make a bigger impact than those two receivers.

If Turner is capable of doing that, then he should be the pick. But if the Falcons become infatuated with Harrison Jr. or Odunze, they should think long and hard about adding another weapon for Cousins with their first-round pick.