On the final day of the NFL draft, the Falcons added two defenders and a punter on Saturday.
In the fourth round, the Falcons selected Fresno State linebacker Mykal Walker with the 119th overall pick and safety Jaylinn Hawkins with the 134th pick.
The Falcons traded away their fifth and sixth-round picks and took Syracuse punter Sterling Hofrichter with their final pick in the draft, which was 228th overall.
“I’m a versatile type of player,” Walker said. “Here at Fresno State we have (the motto) out that we’ll play anybody, anytime, anywhere. The way we play here, we play hard-nosed football.
“The way I play my game is I’m a very versatile player who can do multiple things. I’m just looking to bring what I have to the table and help out the organization.”
Walker is 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds and was projected to be selected in the seventh round by draft analyst Dane Brugler.
“Athletic, fast, explosive linebacker,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “Has versatility to play not only inside linebacker, but also (strongside) linebacker. He’ll be a nice addition to our team special-team wise. We like what he is. Rounded player. Rounded person.”
Hawkins plays bigger than his size and has stopping power, according to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
“When you talk about linebackers, we used the term stopping power,” Jeremiah said. “When this guy hits you, that’s it. There are no yards after contact. He plays extremely strong. That USC tape is the reason why we are seeing him off the board here in the fourth round.”
USC outlasted Fresno State 31-23 on Aug. 31, 2019. Walker was all over the field as he finished with 15 tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass defensed.
“It was a good one,” Walker said. “That was a big game for me being able to play at USC was huge. It was a good experience.”
Walker said he is comfortable playing inside or outside linebacker.
Coming out of high school, Walker had Division I offers, but waited too late to accept them. He was left with gray shirt opportunities and elected to go play at Division II Azusa Pacific.
After two years at Division II, he transferred to Fresno State.
“I knew I was going to transfer, because I had something to prove,” Walker said. “I had to prove something on the D-I stage to set this up. It’s come back full circle and I’m so blessed to be here.”
Walker figured that he played 60% of his snaps at inside linebacker.
He’s never been to Atlanta, but he has passed through the airport.
“My aunt and uncle live out in Virginia, so whenever I fly across the country I usually make stops in the Atlanta airport, but I’ve never actually (go) to the city,” Walker said. “The airport is crazy. One of the biggest ones out there. If the city is anything like that, I know I’m going to have a really good time. Can’t wait.”
Walker was aware of his pre-draft ranking.
“I’m blessed,” Walker said. “I was so happy. My family called me making jokes. We were going to use the bathroom or do something because we didn’t know you were going this early.”
Walker, who took the call from the Falcons in Fresno surrounding by his girlfriend and twin brother, was elated.
“It’s crazy to be able to get drafted as early as 119 especially when I had looked at the stuff that had me ranked at 230,” Walker said. “I’m just incredibly grateful for the Falcons for believing in me and I can’t want to get out there.”
Hawkins is 6-0 and 208 pounds.
“Tough, aggressive, athletic, speedy safety who has versatility to play the pass and support the run,” Dimitroff said. “This guy will also contribute for us on special teams.”
He was honorable-mention All-Pac 12 last season.
“I plan on coming out and helping the team,” Hawkins said. “You know what I saying, helping the defense. I’m going to work. ... I really want to contribute in all aspects. That could be from special teams to anything. Whatever my job is and my role is on that team, I’m going to do it 1,000%.”
Hawkins was a four-star recruit and caught 80 passes for nearly 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior in high school.
“I really came in playing a receiver role,” Hawkins said. “I wanted to help the defense out so I played corner. I switched to safety . I played both free and strong.”
Hawkins, who had 10 career interceptions, displayed good ball skills in college.
“Everything I want to do is get the ball,” Hawkins said. “That’s in my game, either from the pick to the strip. I grew up playing offense. Now, that I’m playing defense, I’m thinking about how can I get to that ball.”
Hawkins was projected to be a priority undrafted free agent by Brugler.
“Honestly, to keep it 100, I kind of blocked out what people are going to say,” Hawkins said. “Internally, I’m motivated. I can’t let outside factors motivate me, but with that, that’s just added extra fuel to the fire.”
He admitted that he was surprised by the Falcons’ fourth-round call.
“I had some projections in the fourth round, but it was kind of scattered all over the place,” Hawkins said. “Also, I had some projections in the sixth, seventh, a lot of sixths and a little bit of UDFA(undrafted free agent) and priority free agent. So, I just prayed and listened to God. I didn’t really harp on it.
“Wherever I’m going to go, whatever is going to happen, I’m just going to do me. It will pan out in God’s will. Yeah, It was crazy. It wasn’t expected like that. I got the call and I was like ‘dang.’ ”
The last time the Falcons took a safety from Cal, things turned out pretty good. Thomas DeCoud was selected in the third round of the 2008 draft. He went on to start 89 games in the NFL and play in 104 games from 2008-2014 with the Falcons and Panthers.
Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal is coming off Achilles surgery and free safety Ricardo Allen had shoulder surgery.
The Falcons will try to develop Hawkins, who was a core special teams player at California.
In the seventh round, the Falcons selected punter Hofrichter.
He’s from Valrico, Fla. and grew up as a fan of the Braves and Chipper Jones.
“That’s why I wear No 10,” Hofrichter said.
He was selected third-team All-American by the Associated Press.
The Falcons created room for Hofrichter by cutting punter Sam Irwin-Hill.
AJC’s 2020 POSITION BY POSITION DRAFT SERIES
Quarterbacks: Joe Burrow leads class | Top 10
Running backs: Cam Akers' life lesson | Top 10
Tight ends: Harrison Bryant top prospect | Top 10
Guards/Centers: Solomon Kindley a late-rounder | Top 10
Offensive tackles: Austin Jackson's life lesson | Top 10
Wide receivers: Jeudy or Lamb | Top 10
Defensive tackles: Brown, Kinlaw stand out | Top 10
Defensive ends: A 'generational' talent | Top 10
Linebackers: Simmons a position-less LB | Top 10
Safeties: Loaded with Georgia talent | Top 10
Special teams: Georgia's kick-centered | Return with flash | Top 10
Cornerbacks: Jeff Okudah a lockdown CB | Top 10
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