NFL Mock Draft: Falcons Add 'Powerful Pass-Rusher' With 'Non-Stop Motor'
Should the Atlanta Falcons address their quarterback need during free agency, there are a couple of directions they can go with the No. 8 overall pick.
Atlanta could look to get another weapon for said quarterback or add to a solid defense that still needs another piece or two to elevate the unit to another level. In CBS Sports' mock draft, it had the Falcons taking Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse to add a premier player off the edge.
"Jared Verse's combine performance reinforced everything we all saw on tape the last two seasons at Florida State," CBS Sports writes. "He's a powerful pass-rusher with a non-stop motor who shows up big when the game is on the line."
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Verse could have been a first-round pick in last year's draft after he had nine sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss, but opted to stay at FSU for his senior season. That decision didn't hurt his stock, as he had another strong year with nine sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. The 6-4, 254-pound pass rusher found another gear at the end of the season, as he had 4.5 sacks in the final two games.
Verse also lit up the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.58 40-yard dash and doing 31 reps on the bench press. NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah tweeted that Verse's 40-time was the fastest for anyone who has done 30-plus reps in the bench press with over 33 inches in arm length since Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett ran a 4.64 in 2017.
Verse's performance at the combine landed him on NFL.com's All-Combine Team.
The Falcons were tied for 21st in sacks last season with 42. While that was a noticeable improvement after they were second-to-last in sacks in 2022, there's still plenty of room to grow when getting after the quarterback.
Atlanta's defense has two cornerstones with safety Jessie Bates and cornerback A.J. Terrell but lacks a player of that caliber in the front seven. If the Falcons address quarterback through free agency with Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield or by trading for Justin Fields, drafting Verse could take the defense to another level, and he should be atop their list of options with the No. 8 overall pick.
