Protection is as soon as once more stealing all of the conversational oxygen, however you and I each know that the Atlanta Falcons received’t have the ability to assist themselves with regards to including gamers for the offense.
Loads of prospects confirmed out on the NFL Mix, and though the group had a surplus of defensive scouts in attendance, you may guess there have been nonetheless eyes on a number of prospects.
Chase Lundt OT, Connecticut
That is the developmental Day 3 deal with that might discover himself in Atlanta. The pickings are slim on this weak deal with class, however Lundt initiatives as a Broad Zone deal with, making him a perfect developmental prospect for the Falcons. The similarities to present RT Kaleb McGary are putting; each are 6’7” towering figures barely crossing the 300 lb threshold. Like McGary, Lundt excels within the run sport, the place you may see his athleticism shine.
Nevertheless, his 32 ⅝” arms are his weak point. They present up throughout move safety when he’s matched towards longer NFL-caliber move rushers. Nonetheless, Day 3 prospects go on Day 3 for a purpose, and Lundt wants time to realize extra power and acclimate to NFL athletes. Dwayne Ledford has proven the power to develop the trenches, so if the group takes Lundt, you may guess he gave his seal of approval.
UConn deal with Chase Lundt is likely one of the most athletic run blockers I’ve ever seen on the faculty degree. Executing these pulls/climbs/bottom cutoffs at nearly 6-7 is absurd
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) December 26, 2024
Jaydon Blue RB, Texas
Velocity is the necessity when this Falcons offense; it doesn’t matter if it comes from a WR3 or RB3. In Blue’s case, he can be the latter, including some juice to a backfield that already has his former teammate. Blue has been flying underneath the radar all draft cycle, however now that he’s clocked a 4.38, he has everybody’s consideration.
Ball safety points had been seemingly retaining him from getting an excessive amount of discuss initially, they usually’ll most likely be why he doesn’t go till Day 3, however that works in Atlanta’s favor. Blue is an instantaneous landing ready to occur. He can run all of the gadget performs designed for a participant like him in thoughts within the first place. That velocity might additionally prolong to the Falcons return sport, a component they’ve been lacking for the previous few years.
Gunnar Helm TE, Texas
Helm’s inventory bought throttled after a subpar 40 time became a foul day of testing general. It’s all a part of a genius plan to tank his inventory for the Falcons. Helm obliterated his ankle on his first 40 makes an attempt, and his foot seemed like Grimace by the point his day was over (keep in mind this while you’re slamming Weight-reduction plan Cokes and questioning why gamers “don’t check” on the Mix anymore). Sadly, Helm’s loss will likely be some franchise’s achieve, as a result of the movie speaks for itself.
Helm is a throwback inline tight finish who cares about blocking firstly. Take a look at him as a Charlie Woerner substitute with way more upside as a receiver. If the Falcons go and not using a fullback once more, they’ll have to do higher than the Ross Dwelleys of the league, who provide little or no as blockers and even particular groups gamers. Helm matches the offense, and if the group offers Kyle Pitts, they’ll want a participant they will plug in instantly and never have to fret about.
Here’s a loopy Mix story: Texas TE Gunnar Helm twisted his ankle on his false begin on the 40-yard sprint, then completed all of the drills anyway. Mentioned nothing till it was over. Had an MRI on Saturday to disclose a sprain. And can run once more at his Professional Day. The pics are… yikes.
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet1.bsky.social) 2025-03-02T18:27:52.213Z
Jared Wilson OC, Georgia
You’ll be able to all the time guess {that a} College of Georgia prospect will flip heads on the Mix, however few had singled out Wilson because the canine to take action. Wilson began his day with a blazing 4.84 40-yard sprint, absurd for a person listed at 6’3” and 310 lbs, and the fifth quickest time by an OL on the Mix since 2003. He constructed off that by posting elite explosives and displaying out in the course of the shuttle drill.
Wilson’s inventory is now at an all-time excessive, and with this middle class being as barren as it’s, he might simply go within the high half of Day 2 after producing some ridiculous testing numbers. Whereas followers are all the time clamoring for defensive prospects from Athens, I doubt they might thoughts seeing one positioned in the midst of the offense for years to return.
LaJohntay Wester WR/KR/PR, Colorado
I’ve been campaigning for Wester since I first interviewed him on the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl. He’s a bonafide athlete who affords versatility in a number of phases of the sport, and his inventory is hovering now that his testing numbers reveal what the movie all the time confirmed. Wester is a twitchy athlete who can run routes in any respect three ranges of the sector. He has a excessive soccer IQ (he performed quarterback in highschool), elite acceleration, and gentle fingers.
Wester additionally has a confirmed resume as a returner, and the Falcons desperately want so as to add some juice to that section of their group. Wester is likely one of the few Day 3 choices like Jaydon Blue providing high-end velocity and playmaking means.
If I would like a slot/gadget WR on day 3 I’m taking LaJohntay Wester.
– sudden route runner with easy C.O.D.
– field-stretching velocity, burns pursuit angles after the catch
– can start-stop on a dime
– 3.9% drop fee & 8/12 on contested tgts in 2024pic.twitter.com/Ft3vNGT4Cs— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 31, 2025
The group nonetheless has choices to make at middle, and rumors of a Pitts commerce are reaching essential mass. With free company on the horizon, we’ll quickly have a greater thought of the course the offense desires to take. What different offensive prospects do you suppose stand out now that the Mix is over?