The Atlanta Falcons may have found a new starting linebacker on day three of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Atlanta Falcons may have found a new starting linebacker on day three of the 2020 NFL Draft. With the first of two fourth-round picks, the team grabbed Fresno State’s Mykal Walker.
If you had to describe Walker’s game in one word, it would versatile. He can rush off the edge, drop into coverage and is quick at getting around blockers and locating the the ball carrier.
The Falcons obviously loved the wide array of things he can bring to their defense. With De’Vondre Campbell, Adrian Clayborn and Vic Beasley all playing elsewhere next season, Walker is the perfect depth addition that can line up all over.
Check out some of his college highlights below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account:
Hawkins gives the Falcons depth at safety position with Keanu Allen coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries. A solid tackler with good balls skills (3 interceptions in 2019), Hawkins can be eased into the lineup.
With the first of their two fourth-round picks, the Atlanta Falcons selected Fresno State linebacker Mykal Walker with pick No. 119 in the 2020 NFL Draft
With the first of their two fourth-round picks, the Atlanta Falcons selected Fresno State linebacker Mykal Walker with pick No. 119 in the 2020 NFL Draft:
With the 119th pick in the #NFLDraft, we have selected LB Mykal Walker.
Walker is a versatile linebacker that can effectively rush off the edge and is above average in coverage. He’s a great addition with De’Vondre Campbell signing with the Cardinals.
The Falcons have Deion Jones at middle linebacker and Foye Oluokun penciled in as an outside linebacker. Walker could be the perfect fit as that third linebacker capable of lining up all over in different sets.
After yesterday’s selection of Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell in the first round, it’s clear that the Falcons are focused on building a defense that can help them get back to the Super Bowl.
Davidson is a perfect replacement for Adrian Clayborn, giving the team a bigger, more versatile defensive end than some of the speedier options Atlanta already has on the roster.
Atlanta selected cornerback A.J. Terrell in the first round to be that cover corner the team lost when it cut Desmond Trufant back in March.
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Atlanta selected cornerback A.J. Terrell in the first round to be that cover corner the team lost when it cut Desmond Trufant back in March. The Falcons’ decision to take Terrell makes a lot of sense when you consider that the roster at cornerback was conducive for the team selecting a first-round pick. Terrell should come in expecting to be a day-one starter.
Combine/Pro Day Measurables
With pick 16 in the 2020 NFL Draft, the #Falcons selected A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson.
Terrell is one of the better athletes at cornerback that the Falcons could have taken. His poor agility grade by Kent doesn’t mean that he’s going to have issues with that in the NFL. Atlanta’s scheme calls for a lot of vertical drops from its cornerbacks. Terrell’s athleticism is a good fit for what Atlanta likes to do. Especially his raw 4.42 speed.
Stats
2019: 15 Games Played, 34 Tackles, 0.5 Tackles for Loss, 0.5 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 2 Interceptions, 4 Passes Deflected
2017: 14 Games Played, 15 Tackles, 1 Tackle for Loss, 1 Interception, 7 Passes Deflected
Terrell wasn’t super productive as a college player when it comes to interceptions or pass deflections. His best trait is that he can shut down a guy and not get targeted, which doesn’t grab as many headlines. Terrell’s modest tackle totals shouldn’t be too concerning. But the Falcons will need some more play-making from him in the NFL.
Highlights
How does he fit on the field
The Falcons could slot him in right away as a left cornerback in base and nickel packages. He instantly replaces exactly what Desmond Trufant did for the team functionally. Terrell is going to have to build on his current tackling and run defense, but the Falcons do have someone who will come right in and know how to cover wide receivers.
Updated projection of the Falcons depth chart on defense with the pick of A.J. Terrell pic.twitter.com/ikRH4zbxbi
They’re going to need it too. Atlanta’s schedule in 2020 has a ton of great wide receivers on it already, and that’s not going to change, barring injury. Terrell will have to take his lumps in practice against Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley and learn his lessons there so that the team doesn’t have to worry about him come game-time.
How does he fit the Comrade Filter?
While he wasn’t a captain on a team that won a national championship his sophomore year, Terrell was someone who contributed heavily to that effort. He’s a hard-working player both on and off the field and keeps his nose out of trouble. He’s also from the Atlanta area and brings another home-grown talent back to the city as he begins his pro career.
How does he fit into the long term plans for the Falcons?
The long-term and short-term plans for Terrell are the same. He’s going to come right in and start at left cornerback until he gets beat out for the job, gets too expensive or the Falcons feel he can’t do it. This is a bit of a risky pick because the value didn’t seem to be there, as he seemed to be a second-round talent. But the vision is clear for him. Start now. Start for the next half-decade.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff nearly saw Javon Kinlaw fall into his lap, but once the top interior linemen went off the board, he opted for the best available corner.
Watch the moment when the Falcons made the call to their new rookie defensive back, as shared by the team’s Twitter account below:
The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t swing a deal to move into the top ten, instead staying put and selecting Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell with pick No. 16 in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t swing a deal to move into the top ten, instead staying put and selecting Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell with pick No. 16 in the 2020 NFL Draft.
With the 16th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, we have selected CB AJ Terrell.
Terrell was the third corner drafted, but is a great fit for Atlanta’s scheme and fills a desperate need for a starting cornerback. In 2019, the Clemson standout finished with 34 tackles (24 solo), 2 interceptions, 3 pass deflections and 0.5 sacks.
Potential draft rumors are more exciting than the reality that the Atlanta Falcons could just as likely stay put at pick No. 16.
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
TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney (12) plays against Purdue.. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
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.
While we’ve heard whispers for weeks that the team is considering trading up, reports coming from around the league indicate the Falcons have aggressively sought after a top-10 pick. However, this shouldn’t be considered unusual since teams like to feel one another out in case of a potential draft-day deal.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport discussed the news during a draft preview segment, saying there were reports from multiple teams in the top ten that Atlanta had been interested in moving up.
Watch the segment below, as shared on Twitter by Rapoport:
From @NFLTotalAccess Draft Preview: The #Falcons have talked to several teams in the Top 10 about moving up, and everyone assumes that's for a corner. But Atlanta has also FaceTimed with multiple top tackles who will be long gone by 16. 🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/j1Qp0u8day
