Falcons Select 'Hercules' in NFL Mock Draft
A stronger pass rush would go a long way in helping the Atlanta Falcons get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Atlanta finished the 2022 season in last place in the NFC South with a 7-10 record. The Falcons look to have a successful draft to compete in an NFC South division that is wide open this season.
After finishing with the second-fewest sacks last season, Atlanta looks to level up with an edge rusher or defensive lineman. Good news for the Falcons is their need for EDGE comes at a solid time.
In Sports Illustrated's final mock draft before the chimes go off tonight, the Falcons are adding a player nicknamed “Hercules” by teammate, drafting Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness at No. 8:
"In a scenario where Stroud goes second, Lukas Van Ness could fall here, and I think the Falcons would take him—I’ve heard their new DC, Ryan Nielsen, sees some shades of Cam Jordan in his game," SI writes. "Van Ness is the same sort of bigger defensive end favored by the New Orleans scheme Nielsen is bringing. And the one other name here to watch would be Texas RB Bijan Robinson. At No. 8? Maybe. Or maybe GM Terry Fontenot would trade down (Atlanta has called around, fishing for trade-down options)."
Van Ness stood out at the NFL Scouting combine; standing 6-foot-5, weighing 272 pounds, sporting 34-inch arms, while running a 4.58-second 40 yard dash and a 7-second 3-cone drill. However, the knock against Van Ness is that he never started a game for Iowa despite playing two solid seasons.
The much-talked about prospect, Robinson, would also be a good fit for the Falcons. Atlanta generated one of the highest-graded rushing attacks in the NFL last season and Robinson would undoubtedly give Atlanta an explosive boost. A major storyline of the 2023 NFL Draft is if the running back will go in the top-10 or not.
Atlanta has nine selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, including the No. 8 overall pick. The Falcons have the second-best odds to win the NFC South but still have needs to fill all over their roster, including adding help at wide receiver, cornerback, EDGE and linebacker.
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