The 2023 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 27 as the first round picks are announced. The second and third rounds take place on Friday, and the whole thing wraps up with the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday. TGH will be taking a quick look at the first few picks for some teams, and shedding some light on what direction they will go. Here is the Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft profile for 2023.
Atlanta has filled out some needs with a great round of offseason signings and trades, but there is still work left to be done at those positions. Pass rushing needs to be addressed, as well as some depth in the defensive backfield (again, despite the signings of Dupree, Bates and Okudah). Also, if they can find a way to get Bijan Robinson at a value, then the Falcons might not turn that down either.
Pick #8: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
There’s a chance that Jalen Carter’s off-field issues cause him to drop to the Falcons. If they aren’t scared of those, then this pick could be seen as a steal. But, being that Lukas Van Ness should be available here and is arguably a safer option, then they may not be able to pass up someone who will help right away.
Van Ness had 13.5 sacks during his two years at the University of Iowa, and has the perfect frame for an NFL edge rusher. His development could be fast-forwarded by pairing him with Dupree and Campbell, which is also invaluable. However, there are certainly arguments to be made for Carter, Nolan Smith, Tyree Wilson and others. Trading down is also very much on the board here.
Pick #44: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Since, in this exercise at least, the Falcons passed up on the speed of Carter, then maybe they can get some quickness in the second round with Trenton Simpson. He wouldn’t be much of a pass rusher right away, but his overall defensive profile coupled with the 4.43 speed makes him versatile.
Simpson can play the run and the pass well right away, and he’ll almost certainly be the go-to quarterback spy in certain packages. The team that takes him is going to be relying on his speed when he blitzes, as his moves aren’t polished. But that speed may be enough more than a few times.
Pick #75: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
The Falcons may want to go offense here, if they take two defensive players in a row. Wide receiver is an area of need, and this receiver draft is deep. However, if Jordan Battle out of Alabama falls to them in the third round, they could rebuild their defense in just one draft/offseason.
Battle is a truly versatile safety. He plays well enough in the box and excels in covering the slot. He’s not the fastest or the most athletic, which is why he’ll probably fall to the third round. But, if given the right opportunities, he could be a truly solid safety in the league next to Jessie Bates.
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