The Smartest Pick Falcons Made in 2020 NFL Draft

After making the playoffs most recently in 2017, the Falcons have posted back-to-back 7-9 seasons. For a team with so much talent on paper, finishing below .500 for two straight years is well below Atlanta’s standards.

Following another mediocre year, Atlanta realized it had to re-tool its roster in order to once again compete in the NFC South division. After getting key guys back healthy and making a few offseason acquisitions, ATL could be back in a position for a playoff spot in the NFC. And when you factor in the 2020 draft haul, one pick stands out as the best decision they made all offseason.

Marlon Davidson from Auburn put up 29 tackles with 12.5 for loss and 7.5 sacks as a senior with the Tigers. Following his All-American season, Atlanta selected Davidson in the second round. With a lack of depth on the interior of the defensive line after All-Pro Grady Jarrett, Davidson could fill in immediately as a 3-technique threat.

Off the field, Davidson is the kind of character that would fit in a market like Atlanta. Don’t forget the fact that he gave one of the best sound bites in NFL Scouting combine history at his press conference.

Davidson already sounds like he is ready to put some linemen and quarterbacks alike on their backsides. With the ability to learn from Jarrett and have guys like Takk McKinley and newly-acquired Dante Fowler Jr. on the edges, Davidson can make an immediate impact for the Falcons. If he does so in 2020, Atlanta’s front office can pat itself on the back for making such a great decision.