The draft is almost upon us, although the Falcons will have to wait one extra day to get in on the action. It’s well-documented that the front office is working at a disadvantage after what transpired last year. This will be a true test of character to see how the new regime operates with so few picks.
While Kevin Stefanski has endured far more troubling circumstances in Cleveland, this isn’t a position you wish on any head coach, especially one taking over for one of the two teams that hasn’t made
in the playoffs in the 2020s.
Kevin Knight and Tre’Shon Diaz join me to discuss some positions where players should be drafted. There are always intriguing prospects. Identifying them as players who can grow into key pieces is the challenge when assessing who a team should target to solve pressing needs.
This is the second roundtable of the new season following last month’s analysis of an active free agency period.
A true outside cornerback would be ideal for the long-term growth of Jeff Ulbrich’s unit. Who would be a strong fit to develop into a reliable starter?
Allen Strk: SB Nation’s Doug Farrar highlighted TJ Hall in his mock draft for the Falcons. With his size and ultra-competitive motor, he could make the transition despite having athletic limitations. Hall makes up for the lack of high-end speed with terrific anticipation skills. The fluidity he plays with bodes well for his ability to grow into a cornerback who can be depended on at the highest level. Playing within a scheme that mixes up coverage looks would be ideal for his capabilities.
Thankfully, Ulbrich loves mixing up disguises and using his defensive backs on blitzes. That can bring the best out of Hall’s physical presence, even if Billy Bowman Jr. is more of a tone-setter who would blitz more purely from playing in the slot. Hall embraces physicality, from defending the run to disrupting opposing receivers. Developing the Iowa standout could be worthwhile for what the new regime hopes to set the tone for future winning foundations to overcome these difficult circumstances.
Kevin Knight: I’m partial to Devin Moore from Florida in the third round. He has typically gone right around the Falcons’ pick at 79 in mock drafts. He’s a big, physical outside corner at 6’3, 198 who thrives in press and against the run.
Moore has dealt with injuries throughout his career, which has led to him having limited starting experience. That being said, I think his upside is as a CB2 who can take on the big X receivers. He is well worth developing with a third round pick.
Tre’Shon Diaz: Julian Neal, out of Arkansas, would be my choice. He has a prototypical build for outside corner, at 6’2″, 203. He’s physical in the run game, often dismantling blocks with ease, and routinely boxes out wide receivers in the passing game. He isn’t very fluid changing direction, but he’s explosive out of his back pedal and is a reliable tackler, missing only one last season. Neal has good technique, but he’s still developing his route recognition skills.
He can get lost in zone coverage. He will need time to become more comfortable without being in man coverage primarily. Those are two areas that Jeff Ulbrich and the Falcons can help the prospect. Neal will have time to ease into the outside, offering instant man-coverage ability and earning a larger role as the season progresses. If he commits in the film room, there’s no reason to believe his recognition skills can’t improve with the help of NFL resources.
Zachariah Branch has been generating buzz. How would you see him fitting in Stefanski’s offense?
Allen Strk: When Cleveland’s offense was thriving, they were creating opportunities for their playmakers to create after the catch. Whether it was a dosage of play action and screens with Baker Mayfield or running bunch formations to let Joe Flacco sling it into passing windows, the skill position players had space to operate in the open field. While it’s going to take time for Branch to adjust to facing man coverage at the pro level, it would be crucial to schematically utilize him properly as he gains comfort in the league.
The prolific playmaker would be a strong fit with his breakaway speed and impressive versatility. As Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson pointed out in his evaluation, Branch can line up in the backfield and be used across formations as the focal point or to deceive opposing defenses. The matchup nightmares he can cause with a coach known for targeting mismatches make him an enticing option. Wherever he would line up, a solid amount of the fan base is confident in his ability to be a difference maker.
Kevin Knight: I do like Branch and have mocked him to the Falcons in the past. I do think the fit for Branch is a little dicey at first, as I’m not sure Stefanski’s offense will utilize a slot receiver on a majority of snaps. That would necessitate a move to more of an outside Z “flanker” role for Branch, which is not something he’s done much of in college.
That being said, Branch is a player you can move around and utilize in many different ways, so I’m not overly concerned about slot vs outside in his case. The Falcons need a dynamic playmaker opposite Drake London. Branch would certainly fit the bill. He’s also a great returner, which Atlanta has lacked for years at this point.
Tre’Shon Diaz: I think Branch would add a new dimension to the Falcons’ passing offense. He can score anytime the ball touches his hands. Concerns about his usage at the University of Georgia are legitimate, but his high screen rate is more of a symptom of the offense than a lack of ability.
His Ole Miss tape displays legitimate ability from the slot. While Branch would be asked to run a more diverse route tree at the next level, a wise coordinator wouldn’t stray too far from what’s worked for him in the past.
Would you prioritize selecting an edge rusher on Day 3? If so, what prospects should the new regime target?
Allen Strk: There is no telling what will happen in the aftermath of James Pearce Jr.’s transgressions. Combine that with Jalon Walker possibly lining up alongside Divine Deablo more often in Ulbrich’s system should create some urgency to select an edge rusher in the fourth or seventh round. Given how much draft capital they used at the position last year and personnel concerns across the roster, it’s likely they would use a pick on Day 3.
Florida’s Tyreak Sapp possesses some intriguing traits despite coming off a down senior season. His power and size would complement a rotation that can greatly benefit from a more physically imposing player who can set the edge against the run.
Kevin Knight: The Falcons will probably need to trade down to adequately address all their needs. Edge rusher is certainly one to keep an eye on throughout the draft. One player I really like in the early-Day 3 range is Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham. Barham began his career as an off-ball linebacker who occasionally rushed off the edge, but switched to a full-time edge rushing role in 2025.
That’s the opposite of Kaden Elliss’ pathway to the NFL, but Barham is on a similar trajectory. He’s actually an awesome run defender despite his size, while being a very talented pass rusher. Obviously, he’s quite raw, but his versatility could give him an early path to playing time at both LB and EDGE. I really like Barham’s long-term upside.
Tre’Shon Diaz: I wouldn’t prioritize any one position, but I understand why the team could go this direction. Edge is a premium position. Teams with consistent pass rushes will throw darts every year. I could see a world where the Falcons draft an edge rusher on Day 2. Day 3 prospects who could be good fits are Anthony Lucas of USC and Mikail Kamara of Indiana.
Lucas has tons of potential; he’s a bigger version of James Pearce Jr., with a better reputation in the run game. However, he’s still raw as a pass rusher and needs to work with the right staff to help him use his natural tools — hello, Nate Ollie. Kamara is a pressure generator, but like Lucas, his impact would initially be felt in the run game. The Falcons’ run defense could use a boost. Both prospects could fill that need in the later rounds.
What position is being overlooked that the Falcons should look to upgrade at?
Allen Strk: With only five draft picks, there is only so much you can address. Taking a late-round swing on an offensive tackle would be ideal. Jake Matthews continues to perform valiantly, but he turns 35 next February. Based on the frequent penalties and lapses in concentration in pass-protection, it’s difficult to envision Jawaan Taylor as more than a one-year stop-gap option. He lost the trust of the coaching staff in Kansas City.
CBS Sports’ Mike Renner broke down how deep this offensive tackle class is. Beloved offensive line coach Bill Callahan has worked wonders with prospects before. The opportunity is there to be a step ahead when the position will need one or possibly two new starters in 2027.
Kevin Knight: Kevin Stefanski is going to use a lot of tight ends. Atlanta’s base offense is likely to be 12 (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR). Their next most-used personnel grouping might be 13 (1 RB, 3 TE, 1 WR). While the Falcons do have three capable tight ends in Kyle Pitts, Austin Hooper, and Charlie Woerner, I think we’ll see another tight end added in the draft. Keep an eye on a versatile blocking specialist like Riley Nowakowski or Carsen Ryan late on Day 3.
Tre’Shon Diaz: It’s hard to pick any one position, but one position I don’t see much commentary on is nickel or a primary slot defensive back. Dee Alford signed with the Bills this offseason. Billy Bowman will be recovering from an Achilles tear for most of the summer. Bowman was doing well for a rookie before injury, but he was far from a finished product.
The reps he lost in his rookie season were invaluable. There are projected to be several high-caliber nickel backs on Day 2 that could be in range for Atlanta, but with the other needs the team has, it would be hard to imagine they go through with it unless the top prospect was available on their board.
