I loved the move to trade down in round 1. I disagree with the media hype saying the Falcons MUST go edge early on. They already did that last year with two of their top picks plus one pick from the year before. Need to let those guys develop, and then they've signed two key free agents on top of it. So as you already knew, I did NOT like using two picks in the first three rounds of this draft to get even more edge guys. With six already on the roster even before the draft, those resources would have been put to better use getting the best lineman you could as the new starting LG or for the interior of the defensive line, particularly someone who can replace Eddie Goldman at nose tackle. Plus side... you did trade one of the extra edge guys and made room for another by trading a linebacker, getting two fifth rounders in return to help your haul. I would still prefer you had gotten someone better than Tyler Steen to be the new left guard (such as Broderick Jones or Darnell Wright) when you had the chance, but at least you got somebody in the second round who might be better than Matt Hennessy or Germain Ifedi. I really liked getting A.T. Perry. Not just that Atlanta could use more quality depth at receiver, but because he's also the big WR for the outside that Arthur Smith likes. Drake London, Mack Hollins, Perry and Scotty Miller in the slot would actually be an outstanding passing attack. It might not sound like much, and I know you and Joe both think they have a #1 in London and nothing else. But... Kyle Pitts lined up more out wide as a WR than he did at TE when he was healthy in 2021 and was a 1000+ yard receiver. Cordarrelle Patterson also frequently lined up wide, adding 500+ receiving yards. With both of them back, it's London, Pitts, Patterson, Hollins, your draft pick Perry, Jonnu Smith, and Scotty Miller in the slot. Don't sell KhaDarel Hodge short either. He racked up 202 passing yards in very limited playing time (199 snaps on offense, and most of those were for run blocking purposes rather than pass routes). His main role is special teams, but he's a reliable backup receiver when needed. I also really liked the pick of Evan Hull. Another good system fit, as he's really good as an outlet receiver. He and Caleb Huntley will make quite a pair for RB depth behind Patterson and Allgeier, and getting him now is a good prep for moving on from Patterson when his contract expires after this season. Adding Hull would also allow the team to keep Avery Williams solely as a KR/PR. In general, I liked it a lot - as long as Steen doesn't turn out to be a Peter Konz / Jalen Mayfield style disaster at guard. (And as mock Titans GM, I'll still be watching for when you're forced to slip Jared Bernhardt to the practice squad. When you do, I'm stealing him on waivers.)
With the 13th pick of the 1st Round Collab, The Green Bay Packers Select Jordan Addison, WR - USC Also Receiving Votes: Zay Flowers, Nolan Smith, Lukas Van Ness
