Potential draft rumors are obviously more exciting than the reality that the Atlanta Falcons could ultimately stay put at pick No. 16.
I’m not suggesting Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff isn’t capable of moving up if one of the elite defenders in this class falls into range. Deals don’t always work out the way the Julio Jones trade did in 2011, though.
Atlanta doesn’t need to move up in order to find a quality player in the first round. Let’s take a look at six potential options for the team in the middle of round one.
CB Jeff Gladney – TCU
2019 Stats: 31 tackles (24 solo), 0.5 sacks, 1 INT, 14 passes defended
Analysis: Gladney wouldn’t just be a consolation prize to fill the team’s desperate need at the defensive back position. He has the size, speed and ball skills to become a really effective outside corner. No, he’s not CJ Henderson or Jeff Okdah, but Gladney has been a consistent force at TCU and has experience to step in as a No. 2 corner as a rookie effectively.
If Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen are healthy behind him, Atlanta would be in position to have three starting-caliber corners fighting it out for the two outside spots. The secondary would undoubtedly be better in this scenario, especially taking the team’s improved defensive line into account.
Video: Check out Gladney’s performance below against Texas.