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Falcons Day 2 NFL Draft Recap

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After Terry Fontenot and the rest of the Falcons War Room shocked the football world by throwing Michael Penix Jr. Thursday night with the 8th overall pick, they had to block out the noise to make a crucial Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Most were hoping they would finally put an emphasis on defense, especially the defensive line, and that’s exactly what they did by selecting two players who could potentially increase their pass rush.

Ruke Orhorhoro, DT/DE, Clemson

The Falcons were originally expected to have three picks on Day 2, two in the third round and one in the second. However, they decided to move up eight spots and pick 35 in the second round, sending a second-round pick and one of their third-round picks to the Arizona Cardinals, which they used on Orhorhoro.

I’ll admit there were still a lot of sexy names on the board when the Falcons were on the clock, but Orhorhoro wasn’t the one I expected. He was expected to go in the third or fourth round, but Terry Fontenot must have caught wind that someone ahead of them would take him unless they moved up the board. Regardless, the Falcons were aggressive in finding a player they believe can help them right away. Conviction is what you look for in the design; we can judge whether they were right or not once we see Orhorhoro on the field.

Orhorhoro is listed as a defensive tackle who stands at 6-4, 295 pounds, but he is a guy who can play defense in the 3-4 base defense that new defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake plans to run. His stats don’t jump off the page, recording just 16 tackles for loss with nine sacks over his final two seasons at Clemson. However, what he lacked in the box score department he makes up for with insane athleticism.

This is a ball of clay that has the potential to grow into something special. Orhorhoro is perhaps the most athletic prospect in this class due to his size, and if coached properly, he will be a significant boost to a defensive line in need of several additions.

Bralen Trice, DE, Washington

Most people were rightly critical of the selection of Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, as the Falcons had just signed Kirk Cousins ​​to a four-year contract worth $180 million. There were just as many people scratching their heads about the trade-up and Orhorhoro getting stuck with the 35th pick. However, the Falcons’ third-round selection – Bralen Trice from the University of Washington – was widely praised among fans.

This is a guy who was a game changer for the Huskies as their defensive captain. He led the NCAA in pressure with 77, nine more than UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, the first defenseman taken off the board.

The biggest blow to Trice is his measurables. He’s not very big for a true defensive end, and he tested poorly at the NFL Combine, but few players in all of college football have better tape. Some guys just know how to play, and the Falcons hope that continues at the next level for Bralen Trice

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Photo: Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire

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