Falcons load up on defense, find potential QB of future in latest PFF mock draft

The Falcons have filled a lot of their roster holes in the first wave of free agency, but there are still a few that remain, all of which are on one side of the ball. The club could bolster the depth of the defensive front and defensive backfield.

There are still plenty of potential free-agent targets, and the draft could offer some solutions as well. In the latest mock draft from PFF’s Trevor Sikkema, the Falcons go heavy defense but also take a flier on a potential franchise quarterback of the future.

With their No. 8 overall pick, Sikkema has the Falcons taking Dallas Turner like a lot of mock drafts have Atlanta doing now.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS: EDGE DALLAS TURNER, ALABAMA

The Falcons hit the free agency quarterback prize of Kirk Cousins, so there is no threat of them selecting a quarterback in the first round. And after a few wide receiver additions in free agency, as well, look for them to eye the defensive line, specifically the hyper-athletic edge rusher Dallas Turner.

Turner’s upside is higher than any other edge prospect in the class because of his athleticism. He might not be as refined as a pass rusher as Laiatu Latu or as powerful as Jared Verse, but he’s a genetic freak who has a higher ceiling. I don’t think the Falcons could go wrong with any of them if they’re graded in the same area.

Sikkema has the Falcons moving up in the second round to potentially find A.J. Terrell’s long-term running mate, fellow Clemson product Nate Wiggins, who some project to be a first-round pick. If the Falcons get that kind of value, I imagine the new staff is going to be ecstatic.

37. **TRADE** ATLANTA FALCONS: CB NATE WIGGINS, CLEMSON

Falcons receive Pick Nos. 37 and 140; Chargers receive Pick Nos. 43 and 109

With their two third-round picks, the Falcons land Jaden Hicks out of Washington State and Spencer Rattler out of South Carolina.

74. ATLANTA FALCONS: S JADEN HICKS, WASHINGTON STATE

79. ATLANTA FALCONS: QB SPENCER RATTLER, SOUTH CAROLINA

I’m not going to pretend to know a ton about Jaden Hicks, but he’s a 6’2” and 215-pound safety that probably projects as a defender that plays closer to the line of scrimmage. With Jessie Bates, the Falcons have the flexibility to find either one because the All-Pro is as versatile as they come.

Rattler is obviously the more interesting selection here. A lot of Falcons fans (also Georgia fans) may not love the selection, but I’m intrigued.

The Senior Bowl MVP has had a wild journey through college. Rattler had a successful season as a redshirt freshman with Oklahoma, tossing for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns to just seven interceptions but quickly fell out of favor in Norman.

The former top high school recruit would go on to be benched in favor of freshman sensation Caleb Williams, the projected top pick in this year’s draft. Once Lincoln Riley left for sunny California to be the head coach at USC, Rattler chose to transfer to the other USC in South Carolina.

Rattler’s numbers won’t blow anyone away, but if you watched any games this season, you know how poor of an offensive line the Gamecocks had. Rattler was running around for his life at times.

In terms of projectability, Spencer Rattler in the third round isn’t as bad as some fans would have you believe.