Falcon Report

Falcons 2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Atlanta Focusing on Defense

The Atlanta Falcons have used three straight first-round picks on offensive players. Will that change next year in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Tim Kelly

In this story:

Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith just presided over their third NFL Draft with the Atlanta Falcons. And for the third time in as many years, the duo used a top-10 pick on a skill-position player, adding Bijan Robinson to Drake London and Kyle Pitts. 

As we peak ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft, experts believe that the Falcons will look to add an impact defender. 

The Athletic: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Verse transferred to Florida State after spending his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Albany. Brugler notes that had Verse entered the 2023 NFL Draft, he may very well have been a first-round pick. There's something to be said -- especially in the NIL Era -- for wanting to enjoy a second year playing in a major college football program, but it's quite a risk if you already seemed likely to be a high draft pick. 

The Draft Network Staff: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Kool-Aid -- whose real first name is Ga'Quincy -- was voted First-Team All-SEC in his sophomore season. The 6-foot-1, 180 pound corner had 35 total tackles, 15 passes defended, two tackles for a loss, one interception and one sack for the Crimson Tide in 2022. 

CBS Sports: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

In two seasons at Alabama, Turner has 67 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Turner saw his former teammates Bryce Young and Will Anderson become top 10 NFL Draft picks, and he has the chance to do the same thing in 2024. 

Pro Football Focus: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Here's another projection for Verse, who had 48 total tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, nine sacks and a fumble recovery for the Seminoles in 2022. Again, it feels like he took quite the risk in returning to college. 

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.

Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.

Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published
Tim Kelly
TIM KELLY

Tim Kelly is a contributor to SI's NFL team sites. Additionally, Kelly covers the Philadelphia Phillies as the Editorial Director for PhilliesNation.com. Previously, Kelly has been a producer at SportsRadio 94 WIP and a content producer for Audacy Sports, with written content syndicated to WIP, WFAN, WEEI and some of the biggest sports radio stations in the country. Kelly also has contributed to Bleacher Report, Just Baseball, Sports Talk Philly and Section 215, FanSided's Philadelphia affiliate. Kelly is a 2018 graduate of Bloomsburg University, with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in political science. 

Home/News