Falcons 2017 draft: What to expect from the second round

The Falcons are back on the clock later tonight, and as we see it, we’re looking at four possible scenarios when pick #63 rolls around. Here they are, in no particular order.

#1: The Falcons snag a safety

Budda Baker, Obi Melifonwu, and Marcus Williams are names to watch here. The Falcons would like to add a third safety and potential long-term free safety starter, and could look to do so as early as the second.

#2: The Falcons take a guard

The fact that the Falcons passed on Forrest Lamp speaks volumes, I think, about their plans for the offensive line. Perhaps I’m wrong, though, and they don’t trust Wes Schweitzer, Hugh Thornton, and Ben Garland to duke it out. In that case, watch Dan Feeney, Dorian Johnson, and (probably not) Forrest Lamp.

#3: The Falcons go BPA

Atlanta filled one of their most major holes already by landing Takkarist McKinley, who will hopefully be able to bolster the pass rush. If they really like their guard situation and don’t feel pressed to take a safety, they could simply go with the best player on their board.

#4: The Falcons trade down

Unless there’s a potential stud in the making available at #63, this is my preferred scenario. If the Falcons could recoup a day three pick and move down a bit into the third round, they’d be able to add more young talent, and they’ll need cheap, young talent in 2018 and beyond to keep their window of contention open.

We’ll go over the team’s remaining top draft needs at noon, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, let’s talk about where Atlanta’s headed with their second round pick.