Here's what NFL mock drafts are saying the Atlanta Falcons should do in first round of the 2024 NFL Draft

NFL Draft season is in full swing, and the Atlanta Falcons could potentially change the entire 2024 NFL Draft with their first round selection. Should they take a quarterback of the future? Should they go edge defender? Wide receiver? Cornerback? There may not be one "right" answer, but here's what the last 100+ NFL mock drafts are saying they could or should do.

In case you missed it, here at A to Z Sports we scraped data from over 100 mock drafts over the last three weeks to see what we could learn. Things are already shifting drastically since the NFL Combine. What does that mean for the Atlanta Falcons? We'll get to that in a moment. But first, if you want a quick snapshot of the Top 120 prospects via recent mock draft data I'll be referencing, here's a quick run down I put together in a thread on X (Twitter):

Atlanta Falcons First Round Targets

Over the past few weeks and 100+ mock drafts here are the most commonly selected first round picks for the Atlanta Falcons:

• Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
• J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
• Jared Verse, EDGE Alabama
• Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
• Malik Nabers, WR LSU
• Rome Odunze, WR Washington
• Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
• Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo

Edge Defender First Round Targets

Dallas Turner (Alabama) has become the absolute "lock" selection for the Atlanta Falcons after he dominated the NFL Combine, posting a 99th percentile Athletic Composite Score . If the Falcons don't go quarterback and the top three wide receivers are off the board Turner makes all kinds of sense. He should be one of the the fan favorites to pick given that he has the most impressive athletic profile and second best pass rush rates stats (almost 20% pressure rate) among all edge defenders in the class.

Related: NFL Combine winners among Defensive Line and Edge prospects feature some surprising sleepers

Jared Verse has become the consensus second highest rated EDGE defender in recent weeks, now ranked 14th among all prospects via recent large sample mock draft data. However, picking him at 8 would likely feel like a slight "reach" in almost every circumstance given the other potential options available at pick 8.

Quarterback First Round Targets

Some entirely too optimistic mock draft writers have begun placing Jayden Daniels with the Falcons at pick 8, but that's just not going to happen. He just posted a 100th percentile pass efficiency season with over 1200 yards last fall. He's going to be gone after the first three picks. If Daniels does somehow drop a bit there's no world where he makes it to pick 8. They would have to trade up to get him.

Related: Top 10 Quarterback Rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft coming out of the NFL Combine indicate clear top tier

J.J. McCarthy is certainly one to watch as he continues to rise up mock draft boards and among betting markets. It seems pick 8 is about the earliest he likely goes without a trade up. McCarthy was top five in several key rate stats last fall like QBR, EPA per play, adjusted yards per pass attempt, and yards per play. He could certainly be the Falcons quarterback of the future even if Atlanta does something at the position in free agency.

Other First Round Falcons Targets

Malik Nabers (LSU) and Rome Odunze (Washington) have become fairly "chalk" top seven draft picks at wide receiver. It's highly unlikely that one of them sneaks through given the receiver needs of the Titans, Giants, and even the Chargers (Keenan Allen's getting old). If one of them does sneak through their elite combination of production profile, athleticism, and route win rates should make them a possible pick for the Falcons. Adding either of them with Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson would instantly create the best set of skill position players in the league.

Related: NFL Combine winners among Linebackers list features one of the greatest athletes of all time at the position

Terrion Arnold (Alabama) and Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) are in a tough battle for CB1 spot in this class. Both have been locked in as top 12-18 picks for weeks, but would be viewed as a slight "reach" that fill a less pressing need for the Falcons most likely.

In conclusion, it seems that the Falcons have two quite likely available options on draft day. They select Dallas Turner, the premier edge rushing talent that perfectly combines youth, athletic upside, and proven production. Or they select J.J. McCarthy, their potential quarterback of the future. If one of the top wide receivers is available that does complicate the decision given their level of elite talent, but that likely isn't even an available choice to be made.