Since draft week is finally upon us, here is my final shot at predicting what the Falcons may do this year. Remember, it’s just a mock draft and there are still a ton of possibilities.
Basing the selections on pre-draft visits, schematic fit and team need, here are the six players I think Atlanta will target in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Round 1, Pick 16: CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson
The Falcons released starting cornerback Desmond Trufant at the start of free agency and as Vaughn McClure alluded to, the team is looking for his replacement. This class is seemingly front-loaded with starting talent and the Falcons may have to settle for their CB1 at pick 16 before a run on the position occurs. Clemson’s A.J. Terrell fits everything the team looks for in a cornerback, but just falls slightly short of their arm length requirement. Terrell spent 53 percent of his snaps in press coverage during the 2019 season which should catch the eyes of Raheem Morris and Dan Quinn, who are huge believers in the alignment.
In terms of body type, Terrell is slender and fast, which is historically what Atlanta has praised in its outside corners. He’s 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, with 4.42 speed, man coverage ability, blitz ability, ball-hawk ability and the ability to lead a secondary. This should make Terrell very high on the Falcons’ draft board.