While many NFL analysts expect the Atlanta Falcons to address the cornerback position in the upcoming draft, it remains to be seen how early the team plans to do so. Two players, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, are considered first-round locks at the position.
Could the Falcons target one of these two at pick No. 8? The team previously met with Mitchell on a top-30 draft visit, and according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Atlanta also visited with Arnold.
The Alabama cornerback picked off five interceptions for the Crimson Tide last season, finishing with a Pro Football Focus grade of 88.4. Arnold also met with the Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Pelissero.
Alabama CB Terrion Arnold wrapped up his pre-draft visits on Tuesday with the #Eagles.
One of the top defensive players in this draft, Arnold also visited the #Titans, #Falcons, #Vikings, #Cardinals, #Lions and #Jaguars. pic.twitter.com/2FZYHef8Hb
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 17, 2024
Arnold and Mitchell are projected to go within the first 20 picks of the draft, but there doesn’t seem to be much consensus about which prospect will go first.
The Falcons added a few veteran defensive backs in free agency, signing former Packers cornerback Kevin King and former Cardinal Antonio Hamilton. Both players are capable of starting but the team may want to find more of a long-term solution.
If the team were to trade back (as we do in our latest mock draft), Arnold, Mitchell and Iowa CB Cooper DeJean would likely be in play for Atlanta in the first round.
