Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

NFL Draft: A five-part series on the Falcons’ needs

In this July 31, 2015, file photo, Falcons coach Dan Quinn, right, talks with general manager Thomas Dimitroff during an NFL football training camp in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Credit: John Bazemore

Credit: John Bazemore

In this July 31, 2015, file photo, Falcons coach Dan Quinn, right, talks with general manager Thomas Dimitroff during an NFL football training camp in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
By
April 22, 2018

It’s time for the Falcons to add to their roster.

The NFL Draft is this week, Thursday through Saturday, and the team has several needs in the three-day selection process. The first round will be Thursday, starting at 8 p.m. The second and third rounds will be Friday, starting at 7 p.m. The fourth through seventh rounds will be Saturday, starting at noon.

The Falcons go into the draft with seven selections. In addition to the 26th overall pick of the first round, the Falcons hold picks 58 (second round), 90th (third round), 126th (fourth round), 200 (sixth) and 244 (seventh). Atlanta was awarded the final pick in the draft (No. 256) as a compensatory pick for losing five players in free agency in 2017.

To preview the draft, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution takes a look at the five biggest needs for the Falcons in a five-part series:

Part 1: Defensive tackle

Part 2: Fullback

Part 3: Wide receiver

Part 4: Linebackers

Part 5: Offensive line

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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