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.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) leaves the field after the game where the Carolina Panthers defeated the Atlanta Falcons in overtime 30-27, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Michael Penix’s season is over before Falcons know if he’s the answer

Michael Penix hasn’t proved over 12 starts that he can be a consistently good NFL starter, much less the franchise QB, and now he will have to recover from ACL surgery.

What’s the plan for Falcons QB next season? AJC writers predict the answer.

The Falcons have a quarterback quandary. But it’s not the traditional situation where there’s a question about who the starter will be. AJC writers give their thoughts.

Falcons’ Deablo set to return from arm injury; Bowman out with Achilles

Linebacker Divine Deablo is set to return on Sunday after missing four games with a fractured forearm, but receiver Drake London and nickelback Billy Bowman are out.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Divine Deablo has missed four games with a fractured forearm, but is set to return on Sunday in what should be a much-needed boost to a struggling defense. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons’ Deablo set to return from arm injury; Bowman out with Achilles

What’s the plan for Falcons QB next season? AJC writers predict the answer.

Is it time for a massive Falcons franchise reboot?

Featured

Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

‘Worst nightmares come true.’ Atlanta confronts shift in homelessness funding.

Trump’s overhaul threatens permanent housing for an estimated 600 Atlanta households and 170,000 people nationwide, advocates warn.

Microsoft’s newest AI ‘superfactory’ opens at sprawling Fayetteville campus

One of the largest data center campuses under construction in Georgia has its first operational tenant, and it’s one of the most recognizable names in technology.

Atlanta officials quietly rebrand city’s DEI office

The city of Atlanta office overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion is getting a rebrand amid assaults at the federal level on such initiatives.