The Atlanta Falcons' haul:
(16 traded for 27, 64, 162)
27 CB Jaylon Johnson
47 S Ashtyn Davis
64 EDGE Julian Okwara
78 LB Troy Dye
The Falcons' biggest need is the defense. More specifically, the pass defense. They improved down the stretch once Raheem Morris took over compared to their awfulness during the first half of the season, but if they want to build on that improvement then they could use some more talent. They're thinnest at CB, but really every position group on that defense could use some help. Coverage at CB, LB, and S, pass rush at EDGE and DT.
I didn't just remove offensive players from the draft board, though, and also had my eyes on some guys at G, RB, and WR. Last year's Falcons' offense was disappointingly middle-of-the-pack despite some high-end talents at receiver & QB. Some of that was a shaky offensive line in transition, which had a couple of rookie first rounders who could improve with time. Some of it was a RB in decline. And I think some of it was the playcalling, with too many slow developing plays. A guard could help shore up that offensive line, a RB could help in case they've just switched to another RB in decline, and a YAC playmaker type WR like Shenault or Aiyuk could help them add more quick throws and misdirection plays to this offense.
But I liked the defensive options at every pick, so I wound up with 4 defensive players. Nearly pulled the trigger on Aiyuk at 47, though, they're likely to use at least one of their 4th rounders on the offensive side of the ball - maybe a lineman or a weapon like Devin Duvernay or Antonio Gibson in rd 4, or an offensive lineman. There's a lot of upside in their defensive picks, though. I have visions of a sticky cover corner in Johnson, their Earl Thomas in the deep middle, what they hoped Beasley would be on the edge, or a Panther-esque pair of cover LBs in Dye & Deion Jones. Not the most likely outcomes, but it would be pretty sweet if any one of them panned out.
Not sure if the trade-down was the right move. I really liked getting Okwara at 64, but Johnson felt like a slight reach at 27 and ATL might've been better off just taking Kinlaw at 16.