With Vic Beasley on his way out, the Atlanta Falcons currently have a major need at defensive end. There’s also a very realistic possibility that the team will have to find a replacement for Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper.
Since we know the Falcons don’t have much salary cap space, the draft seems like the most logical path to finding a new edge rusher and tight end.
During a scouting combine conference call, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah gave his thoughts on some of the draft’s top defensive end prospects, including Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa — one of the players most frequently mocked to Atlanta in the first round:
I think (Epenesa’s) absolutely in the mix to be in the top half of the first round because he plays a premier position and he’s a really good football player. I think he’s a 1 — I feel like he’s a lock as a 1. And I think he’s got a chance going through the process to find his way up into the top half of the first round.
Jeremiah also discussed this year’s tight end class, saying there were some talented players, but none that warrant a first-round selection:
When I look at this tight end position, I think there’s really kind of, I have it with 1, 2, 3 guys right there at the top, where I have the same grades on Adam Trautman from Dayton, Harrison Bryant, who you mentioned at FAU, and Cole Kmet from Notre Dame. I think all those guys are in position to potentially be the first tight end picked. I don’t think any of them are first-round guys.
Atlanta also holds two second-round picks, so the team should have plenty of opportunity to find a player that makes Hooper’s potential exit less detrimental to the offense in 2020.
[lawrence-related id=46747]
[vertical-gallery id=46944]