2016 NFL Mock Draft: Atlanta Falcons Select DE Shaq Lawson at No. 17

Due to the second real-life trade during our mock draft, I was forced to do some patch-work on the picks that have been made thus far, which you can read about here. Ultimately, the only difference in the actual players selected are Wentz now going to the Eagles at No. 2 and Bosa now going to the 49ers at No. 7.

Picking up where we left off, with the No. 17 pick in the 2016 DBN Community NFL Mock Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select...

Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

The selection and write-up were made by Mudville:

The Falcons were all over the place last year, winning their first 5 games of the season, before losing to the Saints and then barely squeaking by the Titans.  Sitting at 6-1, the Falcons then imploded to lose 6 straight games, including one to the 49ers.  They finished the season on a high note by handing the Panthers their only loss of the regular season in week 15.

The Falcons made some noise in the off season by signing Free Agents: Alex Mack, Courtney Upshaw, Derrick Shelby, and Mohamed Sanu.  With only 5 picks in this year’s draft (1-4, 7), the Falcons will need to really make them count.

If we thought the Browns had problems getting after the QB last year, then the Falcons pass rush was absolutely atrocious.  They ranked dead last in sacks last year with 19 total and their first round draft pick from a year ago, Vic Beasley, led the team last year with a whopping 4 sacks.

Solid at both stopping the run and rushing the passer, Lawson is a disruptive force as evidenced by his NCAA-leading 25.5 tackles for loss last season to go along with his 12.5 sacks.  He should be able to step into the starting line-up and complement his former teammate on the other end.

The Indianapolis Colts are up next, led by fjblessi.

2016 DBN Community Mock Draft Results (so far)