The Falcons could be the most aggressive team in the NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (on Twitter). Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time that GM Thomas Dimitroff went big on draft day – he gambled, and hit the jackpot, with his move up for Julio Jones in 2011. This time around, he could be looking to land one of the draft’s premier cornerbacks. As Mort notes, the Falcons will have to play against the likes of Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater this year. An elite defender like Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah or Florida’s C.J. Henderson could give them the artillery they need to keep up in the NFC South.
More draft rumblings from around the league:
- The Steelers don’t have a first-round pick, but head coach Mike Tomlin says he isn’t “fretting at all” (Twitter link via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com). The Steelers turned that selection into Minkah Fitzpatrick back in September and the former Fins cornerback rewarded them with a first-team All-Pro season. Pittsburgh will have to make the most of their remaining picks, especially since they rank near the bottom of the league in available cap room.
- Despite the Steelers featuring Joe Haden, Steven Nelson and Mike Hilton, they have drafted a cornerback in ten of the past eleven drafts. They also used a third-round pick on Justin Layne last year. Pittsburgh is slated to hold the No. 49 overall pick. After that, a compensatory selection landed in Round 3 (at No. 104). Should the Steelers feel compelled to further bolster this position, however, that move would more likely come on Day 3, per The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly (subscription required).
- The Cowboys have done “a ton of work” on Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com hears. After racking up 17.5 sacks and 37 hurries over the last two seasons while providing solid work against the run, Gross-Matos is in demand.
Drew Brees suddenly not play in the same division as the Falcons anymore?
You mentioned Teddy Bridgewater and not future HOFer Drew Brees.
when was the last time the Steelers had a top 10 first round pick not from a trade?
I’m guessing so I’m more than likely wrong, but probably Ben in 2004
I googled it and Ben was the 11th pick that year so it’s actually Plaxico Burress in 2000
I’m not sure what to make of folks who respond to their own comments and I’m even more confused when I see a response time stamped a minute earlier than the original comment…lol.
“As Mort notes, the Falcons will have to play against the likes of Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater this year.”
The Falcons have won 6 of the past 7 meetings against the Bucs and 8 of the past 9 meetings against the Panthers so I don’t see them losing a lot of sleep.
Really? Yeah Brady is clearly in the same category as Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
It’s actually irrelevant if Brady is better because if the Bucs had as good as support system as the Patriots they wouldn’t have been playoff spectators for the past 12 years.
Falcons never think ahead…. like example Todd Gurley is on a one year contract so we probably wont add a RB to groom for 2021 season. If the falcona were patient they could of got two really good linemen in this year class than the two they got last year.
Steelers need to trade down & get a couple more picks for this deep draft
With their success in drafting in the mid rounds Colbert should want as many opportunities to hit as possible
As a Steeler fan, they used to do great in the draft. Lately there have been a lot of swing and miss picks.
Falcons need far more than a CB to make that defense good lol … far more