The Atlanta Falcons placed outside linebacker Dante Fowler on injured reserve Friday, but even prior to his injury, edge rusher was among the team’s biggest needs. Fowler will be out for a minimum of three weeks and his long-term status with the Falcons is up in the air at this point.

As we get deeper into the 2021 season, it seems most draft analysts are projecting Atlanta to draft either a quarterback or an EDGE with the team’s first-round pick in 2022. Currently, the Falcons are on track to pick 12th overall in next year’s draft.

Using that No. 12 pick, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling projects the team to select Purdue EDGE George Karlaftis in his latest mock draft:

“This defensive front needs an dominant force off the edge in the worst way, but this year’s deep class should give them some quality options in this range. Karlaftis has been nearly unblockable so far this season, and could easily work his way into a top-10 selection, making him a fantastic value here.”

It’s all about value when you’re picking just outside the top 10 and Karlaftis would surely bring it. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive end has 18 tackles (12 solo), 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021. Easterling mocks Liberty quarterback Malik Willis to Washington at pick No. 11, one spot ahead of Atlanta.

Make sure to check out the rest of Draft Wire’s new mock.