Which 2020 NFL Draft targets can help the Falcons replace key free agents?

In Pro Football Network’s 2020 NFL Scouting Combine buzz article, Draft Insider Tony Pauline dropped the news on Tuesday that the Atlanta Falcons were specifically targeting a new tight end to replace free agent Austin Hooper in the 2020 NFL Draft. In Tony’s words:

“Yet, the team has admitted to people here in Indianapolis they will not be able to do as much unless there’s a new CBA in place before the start of free agency, which includes a big bump in the salary cap. Hence, the Falcons have told people at the Combine that tight end, along with strong-side linebacker and center, are their priority positions come draft day unless something changes.”

This adds credence to Pauline’s report released on February 20 that the Falcons were looking to pony up the money to add OLB Dante Fowler Jr. to bolster their pass rush. Hooper, as well as LB De’Vondre Campbell, would cost more money than the team is willing to spend. While I find it interesting the team isn’t saying they’re looking to address their left guard play, this doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t doing so.

Pauline also mentions that the team is interested in using their three draft selections on Day 2 to address these needs. With that in mind, who are some targets at tight end, strongside linebacker, and center that the Falcons could target in rounds two and three?

Tight End

It’s a smart idea to replace Hooper with some of the names in this draft class. Several options are on the table that will be able to effectively replace Hooper and offer more of a threat to the defense (plus will be much cheaper than the 5 year, ~$50M deal Hooper is projected to receive). Hooper hasn’t been much of a blocker, so there’s a specific type the Falcons can target here on Day 2 to replace him.

Adam Trautman, Dayton

Trautman has slowly shot up draft boards after his outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl. The small-school product left school as Dayton’s all-time leading receiver, which is impressive as a tight end. Trautman has an excellent blend of size and athletic traits and is surprisingly nuanced, despite his small-school status. He needs a little polish, as to be expected, but he’d offer more after the catch and as a vertical threat than Hooper for the Falcons.

Hunter Bryant, Washington

Much like Trautman, Bryant would be an upgrade after the catch and as a receiving threat with his explosiveness and mismatch-ability. Where Hooper exceeds Bryant currently is as a red-zone weapon. Bryant has some frustrating drops on tape and measured in smaller than Hooper. However, Bryant has shown excellent body control and puts on a show in contested catch situations. Hooper has also struggled with drops coming out of college, however, and this problem typically improves from college to the NFL level.

Brycen Hopkins, Purdue

Hopkins is one of the most intriguing options at the tight end position in this draft because he’s the best route-runner of the class. He’s also a fluid athlete who projects as a big slot weapon at the next level despite lining up in various alignments at Purdue. Again, Hopkins would be an upgrade on Hooper after the catch and would offer more as a vertical threat. Hopkins isn’t a great blocker but offers intriguing upside as a receiver, which is more of how the position is moving anyway.

Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic

Ask many draft analysts and their opinions on Bryant will vary. Many will have him as the top tight end and others (like me) lower but still top-5 in this class. Bryant is a versatile tight end who is the best blocking option on this list. He’s a reliable target and a smooth athlete in the open field. While his upside is rather limited, if the Falcons are looking for an underneath and detached tight end like how they used Hooper last year, Bryant would be a solid option.

Cole Kmet, Notre Dame

I’m not very high on Kmet at all as a player, but his skillset resembles that of Hooper – a big seam target over the middle and a red zone threat. Kmet’s not a great athlete and is pretty poor as a blocker as well. If the Falcons wanted to target a tight end that has a similar play style and a similar frame to Hooper in this 2020 NFL Draft, Kmet would be their best bet.

Strongside Linebacker

There aren’t a lot of great options at this position in the draft, especially if they plan to address this need with one of their Day 2 picks. It’s pretty slim pickings among guys that would fit this role in my book. I left off many linebackers who project better at different spots, which is why many prominent names are not listed.

Josh Uche, Michigan

I actually mocked Uche to the Falcons in my Falcons 7-round mock draft at pick 55. Here is what I said:

“Uche is my prime replacement for De’Vondre Campbell. Uche is a difficult evaluation based on value due to his usage, but I think this would be his best spot in terms of valuation with a draft pick. Uche is a juiced-up pass rusher with phenomenal bend, but it’s his ability in coverage that stands out as well. Campbell wasn’t great in coverage, but Uche has the traits to succeed here while also providing promising ability in pass-rush situations.” 

If Uche is available at one of the Falcons second-round picks, I wouldn’t be shocked to hear his name called.

Zack Baun, Wisconsin

Baun is more of an off-ball linebacker than true edge rusher in my opinion. I think Baun has the athleticism and instincts to succeed in this role and has enough prior experience as a pass rusher to let Dan Quinn and company be creative with him here. I’m not exceedingly high on Baun, but as a Day 2 pick in this role, it would be great value. The Falcons could take either him or Uche with one of their second-round picks (47 and 55) in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Mykal Walker, Fresno State

Walker is a prospect that isn’t getting a lot of attention right now. Walker is the small-school version of Zack Baun in this class. He played at Fresno State as an Edge/LB hybrid, but it sounds like he’s projected to move full-time to off-ball LB at the NFL level. He isn’t the most athletic guy out there, but he’s smart and is more of a smooth mover in space than a twitchy, explosive athlete. The former two-time First-Team All-Mountain West player had a great showing at the Shrine Game as well. He’ll likely be a Day 3 option for the team, but Walker is a name to watch nonetheless.

Center

Thankfully for the Falcons, the center class is one of the deepest positions in the 2020 NFL Draft, despite not having any elite players at the top. While the team should address their left guard position, it makes sense that the Falcons would be eyeing the talent at center with Alex Mack at the tail end of his contract. (Note: Cesar Ruiz is not listed because I fully project he will be gone by the time the Falcons select in the second round).

Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU

Depending on who you ask, the battle for the top center is between Cushenberry and the aforementioned Ruiz. Cushenberry is a good athlete with top-notch balance, anchor, and power. He does a lot of the little things right from a fundamental standpoint in pass protection, and he’s demonstrated the requisite IQ to play center at the next level.  Cushenberry could learn under Mack as he further develops his body and fundamentals. However, he may be gone by the time the Falcons are on the clock.

Matt Hennessy, Temple

Hennessy is one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft and would fit the Falcons. He’s an offensive lineman you simply plug-and-play as a starter and you’ll be fine there. He reminds me of current Houston Texan Nick Martin with his outstanding tenacity in pass blocking and fundamentals. Hennessy is more smooth than explosive in space, but he meets several thresholds as an athlete.

Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin

Biadasz’s draft stock has taken a tumble this past season, but he should be in the mix for the Falcons on Day 2. He isn’t an outstanding athlete in any sense, but like Hennessy, Biadasz should pass thresholds at the Combine. He’s a fundamentally sound and nasty blocker up front, and he’ll bring some violence to the Falcons offensive line. However, his regression in 2019 is noteworthy enough. If the Falcons can develop him back to his 2017-2018 form, they’ll have a starting center for a decade.

Nick Harris, Washington

Harris had a rough showing at the Senior Bowl, but his tape suggests he’s a fine starting-caliber center prospect that teams should consider. He’s a scheme-specific center and he’ll be much better suited in a zone run scheme than a gap-scheme, which suits the Falcons just fine. While Harris isn’t the most violent blocker out there, he’s one of the most technically-savvy and sound offensive linemen in this draft and he’s a pretty good athlete too. Harris sitting behind Mack and developing his physique would be ideal for the Falcons, and he might just be there in round three.

Keith Ismael, San Diego State

Ismael had a standout performance at the Senior Bowl, which is what first put him on my radar. His tape matched his Senior Bowl showing, and I found myself pleasantly surprised at how well-developed Ismael was for a small-school offensive lineman. He has a few lapses in technique, namely on his footwork, but he demonstrated great balance and moved well on tape.

Ismael has also played center and both guard spots, adding versatility to his already talented resumé. A versatile depth piece who can develop into a starting-caliber center or guard would be well worth the investment for Atlanta. Ismael would likely be available in round three or later for the Falcons in the 2020 NFL Draft.