The esteemed draft analyst gives defensive help and a tackle prospect to Atlanta.
The Athletics’ Dane Brugler is one of the best in the business, so any time he talks about the Atlanta Falcons, it’s an opportunity to learn and understand what he views as the team’s most pressing needs come draft time.
Here are the results of his seven round mock draft, with the 2025 NFL Draft looming:
- (15) EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
- (46) DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
- (118) OT Logan Brown, Kansas
- (218) CB Cobee Bryant, Kansas
- (242) RB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Brugler clearly has his thumb on the pulse with his selection of EDGE Mike Green. Green has all the makings of a bona fide NFL pass rusher. He can kill tackles with speed, but his explosive profile shows that he has the potential to convert that speed into power with more refinement. Green would finally end the team’s drought of drafting first-round EDGE defenders, which dates back to Takk McKinley in 2018, and he is worthy of the pick.
Interior defensive lineman Tyleik Williams would be a force in the run. Williams is arguably the best run-defending nose tackle in this class, and while he doesn’t boast impressive pass rush numbers, he has enough upside to become a pocket pusher. He gives the team a legit answer to their run-defense woes and can keep the more juiced-up pass rushers on the team fresh for later downs.
Tyleik Williams is a massive DT who dominated against the run at Ohio State.
Not a particularly productive pass rusher, but absolutely has the traits to develop in a way similar to what we saw with Alim McNeill’s rise to stardom in both phases of the game.
Day 2 pick, easily. pic.twitter.com/jrQMzuQyKS
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 9, 2025
Offensive tackle Logan Brown is a name the Falcons were attached to early in the process. While Banks and other first-round OTs have garnered the attention of fans (and the team) in recent weeks, a project like Brown makes more sense, given the current timeline regarding the team’s offensive line. The Falcons need to start thinking about their succession plan for Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary, and Brown fits the scheme well.
Defensive back Cobee Bryant would be an absolute steal in the seventh round. The man is undersized on the scale, but you’d never realize it watching him play. A feisty DB who loves to jaw at opponents, Bryant displays impressive click and close ability, has fantastic lateral movement, and a nose for the football. He would push for the starting nickel corner role, and that’s good because relying on Dee Alford alone, as the team did in 2024, proved unwise.
Kyle Monangai is the pick most are probably scratching their head at, but the Falcons have talked extensively about adding a strength to a strength. This is one of the best running back classes we’ve seen in years, and Monangai is being slept on. The running back is quicker than fast, but his vision and tackle-breaking ability compensate for his lack of long speed. He is excellent in pass protection and, most importantly, does not fumble the football. Tyler Allgeier is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and Monangai would be an excellent replacement.
Finally got to Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai. I don’t think any RB in this class had to make something out of nothing more frequently than he did behind this horrendous blocking unit. Forced the 8th most missed tackles in the class last season and 0 career fumbles. Really solid day 3… pic.twitter.com/tr8noUGXlb
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) April 6, 2025
What I appreciate most about Brugler’s mock is the reality surrounding everyone’s desire to trade down. There’s no guarantee that it will happen (odds are it won’t), and being unable to do so isn’t an excuse for coming away empty-handed. Atlanta will still have plenty of players to choose from with picks they hold, and it’s the brass’s job to make the most of it, after all, they put themselves in this position.
Is this a mock you can get behind, or is one more running back a step too far?