Dallas Turner talks about his potential role on the Falcons defense

The Falcons are now hours away from their third consecutive selection at the 8th pick.

As the mad dash towards Thursday’s first round begins, reports and rumors are pouring in from insiders. There’s really no telling what is smoke and what is fire, especially at this point.

Teams, agents and even insiders have their own agendas, so it’s almost impossible to sift through all the information… but we’ll definitely try.

Right now, Vegas views Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu as the most likely picks for the Falcons, as far as betting goes. Turner and Latu are the co-betting favorites at +165.

If you ask Mel Kiper, the godfather of Mock Drafts, the ESPN expert thinks it will be between Turner and another defenseman: Byron Murphy.

“The Falcons will take the first defensive player in the draft: I see this as edge rusher Dallas Turner (Alabama) or defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (Texas),” Kiper said.

Your guess is as good as mine, but Dallas Turner has been the most popular pick in most mock drafts, and for good reason. The Falcons clearly have a need for a pass rusher, and the Alabama product might be the best defender in this class. It fits perfectly, even schematically, as Turner himself noted.

“It would be a little bit like how I was used at Alabama as an outside linebacker,” Turner told Heavy.com’s Jonathan Adams about his role in Atlanta. “Most of the time I’m going to rush, but sometimes I can drop (in coverage). And you know, you have to stop running too. They (want) all the downs.

The Falcons have been in need of a top-tier pass rusher for most of my life. Dallas Turner’s athletic profile is especially attractive. If Atlanta’s coaching staff can help him reach his full potential, his ceiling is astronomical and he would become one of the elite players at his position.

—

Photographer: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire