Jimmy Lake Hire May Steer Falcons Towards Defensive Back Early in Draft
Picking the next quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons is the most important decision of the 2023 offseason for head coach Raheem Morris’ administration. However, with the top three quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft class expected to go before Atlanta’s pick, the Falcons may be forced to pivot.
If they do so, picking a falling skill position player like receiver Rome Odunze or tight end Brock Bowers isn’t a guarantee.
Given the nature of the new staff and Atlanta’s need to limit explosive plays, a defensive back may be the best option for the No. 8 pick.
Oct 7, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Moose Muhammad III (7) attempts to make a reception as Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) /defends during the second quarter at Kyle Field.
Credit: © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Additionally, defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake may make the secondary a priority. Before his stop as assistant head coach with the Los Angeles Rams – where he and Morris most recently worked – Lake spent eight years with the Washington Huskies.
He was the head coach for his final two seasons but began his Washington tenure as the defensive backs coach before adding co-defensive coordinator to his resumé. In 2018 and 2019, he took over as the full-time defensive coordinator.
Simply put, Washington had become a pipeline for NFL defensive backs, many of whom would be drafted very early. From first-round cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Marcus Peters to a host of second-round selections like Kyler Gordon, Taylor Rapp, Byron Murphy, Budda Baker, and Kevin King, Lake has supervised several future stars.
Thus, the Falcons are faced with two choices: hope Lake works his magic on the young defensive backs already on the roster – such as safety DeMarcco Hellams and corner Clark Phillips III – or find a high-level talent early in the draft.
If they choose the latter, they shouldn’t be short on options.
The Alabama Crimson Tide boast perhaps the best two cornerback prospects in this year’s class. Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry both offer sky-high potential and a track record of making SEC receivers’ lives hell.
Arnold is a refined cornerback prospect with the physicality and fluidity to compete with the star receivers litter the league, while McKinstry is seen as a bit of a ball of clay. Either would be an acceptable use of a top pick.
If versatility is what Lake desires, Iowa’s Cooper DeJean may be Atlanta’s preferred option. He projects as a plus starter at either cornerback and safety. He can play both in the slot and on the boundary and meshes strong coverage skills with physicality against the run that makes defensive coaches salivate and opposing receivers sweat.
It’s still far too early to tell where the Falcons will spend their first-round pick, but it may prove worthwhile to stay open-minded to a defensive selection, especially given Lake’s arrival.
