Falcons Draft Defense, Line, Receiver in Mock

0:00On April 22nd, the NFL Drive kicks off tomorrow, and we're wrapping up our seven-round mock series here at Essentially Sports, one for each of the 32 teams. Today is the Atlanta Falcons, who sit out day one after trading their 2026 first-rounder to the Rams last year for James Perse. Peer showed promise, but now faces legal issues that cloud his future, so Atlanta's first swing comes at Pick 48 in Round 2. He grabbed Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a 21-year-old starter with 250 tackles, 17 sacks, and 8 forced. Fumbles across three seasons in the SEC. Sure, this class is loaded at linebacker, but his 4.5 140 and 37-inch vertical make him a steel team's might be sleeping. Next up in Round 3 at 79, they add Oklahoma defensive tackle Grayson Halton, who racked up 63 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles over two years. At 6.3, 293 pounds, his 4.8 240 is solid for a big man with starter potential in a thin class.

1:06Round 4 brings cornerback Julian Neal at 122, a 6-foot-two athlete with long arms and a 40-inch vertical who held receivers. To 56% completions last year. Later, Notre Dame tackle Amel Wagner in Round 6 at 2.15, offers reliable pass protection and TCU wide-out Eric McAllister slips to. Round 7 at 231, despite a foot injury, bringing speed and nearly 1200 yards from his final college season. This mock shores up Atlanta's defense with immediate contributors while adding depth on the line and upside that receiver, setting them up strong even, without a top pick. That's your update from NFL News Today, powered by AI.