2014 NFL Mock Draft: Atlanta Falcons Select...

With the top QBs, Jadeveon Clowney, and Jake Matthews off the board, the Falcons have a tough choice between two elite prospects who fit their needs. On one hand, Greg Robinson would be a great choice to replace LT Sam Baker and protect Matt Ryan. On the other hand however, the Falcons are really missing a legit pass rusher on defense. For me, the choice is obvious:

With the 6th pick overall, the Atlanta Falcons select Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo.

Head coach Mike Smith says they won't be transitioning to a 3-4 base defense, but their moves suggest they'll at least be using a hybrid scheme. They've signed NT Paul Soliai and DE Tyson Jackson, two guys who have almost exclusively played in 3-4 defenses since entering the league. While the two are good run stoppers, they're still missing an edge rusher. Their best pass rusher right now is Osi Umenyiora, who is aging and probably only going to come in when they go to sub packages.

Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

A number of scouts prefer Mack over even Clowney as the best defender in this draft class. He's certainly the safer pick, given the concerns around Clowney. With Mack, they get a premier pass rusher who fits perfectly as a 3-4 outside linebacker, though he's also versatile enough to play OLB in a 4-3 - in a role that could be similar to what Von Miller does in Denver.

With a healthy Julio Jones and Roddy White, the Falcons can still field one of the best offenses in football. The same can't be said for their defense. They need a blue-chip player on that side of the ball. Heck, they need more than one if they're truly going to compete for a Super Bowl.

	Team	Player	Pos	School	BTSC rep/link to pick
1		Blake Bortles	QB	UCF	SteelerWolf
2	via	Johnny Manziel	QB	Texas A&M	Jack Finn
3		Teddy Bridgewater	QB	Louisville	twault
4		Jadeveon Clowney	DE	South Carolina	Double-Eagle
5		Jake Matthews	OT	Texas A&M	diehardsteelerfan625
6		Khalil Mack	LB	Buffalo	Erik Stone
7					TheCommish
8					VinnySteel
9					Sean Geddes
10					asmith87
11					slatts17
12					omara891
13					Jack Finn
14					Michael Uhlhorn
15					(community vote)
16					steeler fever
17					Steelers_Fan_to_the_Core
18					DropTheHammer
19					steeler_chris_5
20					Wichita SunSteeler
21					(?)barnerburner(?)
22					c63tho
23					WelcomeToReality
24					Steel Spike
25					L-Ray
26	via				AMKrup
27					Ike Evans
28					JDSpartan
29					furthur56
30					Collision Course
31					alexryan
32					Thoroughbred of Sin