For the second consecutive year, the Falcons traded down in the second round and selected a linebacker out of LSU. Thomas Dimitroff made an excellent decision to trade down and acquire more draft picks from Buffalo. It doesn’t matter how good your team looks on paper. Only having three picks left after the first round is never ideal. To obtain a third round pick and two additional fifth round picks provided a massive boost.

This allows the front office to weigh their options. Duke Riley was another unforeseen pick, which is becoming common under Dan Quinn. It has worked exceptionally well so far. The Falcons had to add another linebacker, but nobody viewed it as an urgent need. That leaves them with some work to do going into the final day. Will they address these remaining needs with four picks left?

Guard

This is easily their number one priority. Whether it’s competing to start at right guard or potentially replacing Andy Levitre in 2018, another option is needed. Wes Schweitzer and Ben Garland are intriguing players, but they shouldn’t be labeled as capable starters yet. There is no harm in adding more competition to a position filled with uncertainty.

Defensive Tackle

In my draft positional need series; defensive tackle was highlighted for many reasons. There are several looming free agents at the position. Dontari Poe is likely going to command a hefty multi-year contract, while Ra’Shede Hageman could possibly cash in elsewhere. Adrian Clayborn and Courtney Upshaw are free agents as well. That leaves Grady Jarrett as the only true defensive tackle on the roster. They shouldn’t let a crowded defensive tackle rotation hinder them from making a move that could drastically affect the future.

Free Safety

Although Ricardo Allen could use some competition, the Falcons need another safety for at least depth purposes. There haven’t been any recent reports about Brian Poole converting into a full-time safety role. That leaves them with Allen as the lone free safety. Finding a true center fielder type safety to play in Quinn’s scheme seems highly unlikely in the later rounds. With three picks in the fifth round, the front office might as well take a chance.

Remaining Draft Picks

4th round (136):

5th round (149):

5th round (156):

5th round (174):