2017 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Post-Free Agency 7-Round Mock Draft

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Most of the pieces are there for the Atlanta Falcons to make another Super Bowl run. Taking full advantage of their six current picks during the 2017 NFL Draft would only help their cause.

Less than two months ago, the Atlanta Falcons seemed destined to claim their first Lombardi Trophy in team history. Unfortunately for them, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots had other plans, putting together the biggest Super Bowl comeback of all time.

As the team now heads towards the 2017 campaign, the focus will obviously be on getting back to the Big Game. Atlanta already made a couple of noteworthy additions during free agency to shore up this roster, but the big opportunity actually lies ahead during the 2017 NFL Draft.

This will be a chance for Dan Quinn and Co. to add more playmakers on both sides of the football. And as we saw last season, the Falcons aren't afraid to let rookies make an impact early in their NFL careers. So why would we expect anything different from what's sure to be another outstanding draft class in Atlanta?

We shouldn't, especially if the Falcons' 2017 draft class looks anything like the seven-round mock draft I've put together. Keep in mind, though, that this is not a hard prediction of what could happen during late April's draft. Instead, it's a commentary on the team's current needs as well as the current stock of the player's mentioned.

Note: The Falcons traded their sixth-round pick to their Tennessee Titans as part of the deal for guard Andy Levitre.

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Obi Melifonwu

Free Safety, UConn

The Falcons could go in a number of directions with this pick. They obviously need more pass-rushing ability across from Vic Beasley, but I don't think any worthy edge rushers will be available here. Guard is also a need, but pickings will be slim at No. 29.

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So instead, Atlanta spends its second first-round pick in a row at the safety position. It's not the biggest area of need for this team, but I can assure you the addition of Obi Melifonwu would bring a whole new dimension to a defense that could use a boost of athleticism in the secondary.

When it comes to Melifonwu, there is no shortage of athleticism. He tested off the charts at the Combine, and looks the part at 6-4, 224 pounds with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. While the numbers aren't everything, it's clear any team that takes the former Husky off the board will be getting an exciting young athlete to mold.

At this moment, Melifonwu still needs work in a number of areas. The upside and elite physical tools, however, will likely lead to him coming off the board early. By going to Atlanta, he teams up with a young, rising defense that already sports an excellent safety. The duo of Melifonwu and Keanu Neal could strike fear in opposing offenses for the next decade.

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Tim Williams

Edge Defender, Alabama

Even with the emergence of Beasley, the Falcons will likely target an edge rusher early during the 2017 NFL Draft. Most dominant defenses these days have at least two plus pass rushers, so targeting another playmaker seems like the right move for Atlanta. Plus, I'd temper expectations on how big of an impact Dontari Poe will have when it comes to pressuring passers.

Luckily for the Falcons, this draft class is loaded with high-upside prospects off the edge. After going with an uber-athletic safety in the first round, now seems like the right time to grab a potentially elite edge rusher with some question marks. Yes, I'm talking about Tim Williams out of Alabama.

Coming into the 2016 campaign, Williams was seen by many as a possible top-five pick. However, a hot-and-cold season hurt his stock a bit, which is why he could very well still be available at the end of the second round. Even if that's the case, the former Crimson Tide star seems like an excellent option for Atlanta.

Williams shows uncanny burst off the snap, exploding out of his stance and displaying good bend around the edge. There are some concerns about his consistency and lack of size/strength, but I believe he'd bring more than enough value even if he were limited to a pass-rushing specialist role.

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Ethan Pocic

Center/Guard, LSU

At this moment, the Falcons need (at the least) some serious competition at right guard. Free agent addition Hugh Thornton is currently penciled in as the starter, but I'm sure the team wouldn't mind putting some pressure on him. A young, energetic rookie could bring said pressure.

Enter Ethan Pocic, a smart, versatile offensive lineman with the potential to make a difference from Day 1 in the NFL. While not the strongest or most physical of prospects, the former LSU standout makes up for it with athleticism, football IQ and a relentless motor that routinely earned him praise from his college coaches and teammates.

Now I mentioned he was versatile. Pocic played every position along the front five for the Tigers, but really shined along the interior. His best position seems to be center considering his leadership and intelligence, but it's not like he's going to beat out Alex Mack for a starting job anytime soon.

Instead, Pocic can play alongside Mack after beating out Thornton for the top spot on the depth chart. He's got all of the tools to get the job done, and provides tremendous value considering his roster flexibility. Especially with Mack coming off a broken leg, having the added insurance at center would also be ideal.

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Vince Biegel

Outside Linebacker, Wisconsin

Despite the addition of Williams, the Falcons could use some extra depth at linebacker. The starting trio is very strong, but the players behind them don't exactly inspire a ton of confidence–especially with Philip Wheeler and Sean Witherspoon yet to be re-signed.

Unfortunately, there isn't a ton of depth in this 2017 linebacker class. The group is very top heavy, with some intriguing fliers scattered throughout the bunch. However, if there is going to be a mid-round talent worth taking a look at, it's Vince Biegel.

The Wisconsin product has all the makings of a quality No. 2 linebacker at the next level. While not overwhelming strong or fast, Biegel wins with his tenacity and determination to make plays. He out-works most of his opponents, allowing him to overcome his physical deficiencies more often than not. The versatility to play all three linebacker positions helps as well.

I don't believe Biegel has the measurables to ever develop into a standout starter. However, with some more refinement and the help of an NFL workout program, he may do enough to earn a starting role somewhere down the line. At worst, he sticks around for a few years as a solid backup and special teams ace.

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Isaac Asiata

Guard, Utah

The addition of Pocic in the third round was a good start. However, if the Falcons truly are invested in making an upgrade at right guard, drafting a second high-upside prospect seems like a risk worth taking. It's not like the team has a ton of other needs anyway.

Asiata is what you'd call a sleeper in this draft class. While not a top-tier prospect by any means, he's earned significant recognition for his power and dominance as a run blocker. He's not overly athletic and will struggle to make blocks at the second level, but shows the ability to root out the biggest of defenders.

Realistically, it could take some time for Asiata to settle into a starting role. His pass blocking chops are still a work in progress, and he'll need to work on his effectiveness in the open field. And yet, the potential is there for him to steal a spot atop the depth chart sooner than many would expect.

With Pocic, the Falcons would be a getting a terrific leader and all-around athlete along the interior. With Asiata, they'd be getting a power blocker with the ability to make big holes in the ground game. Bringing the two together in a battle for the starting right guard job seems like a win-win scenario for this Atlanta offense.

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Sefo Liufau

Quarterback, Colorado

A quarterback? Yes, a quarterback.

While the Falcons are obviously set atop the depth chart, they can't rely on the 35-year-old Matt Schaub as the backup forever. With no other arms currently on the roster, Atlanta could use a new developmental quarterback who could assume the No. 2 role in the near future.

Taking a seventh-round flier on Sefo Liufau seems like a solid plan of attack. The Colorado product is coming off another impressive campaign, having led the Buffaloes all the way to the Pac-12 championship game. He's an underrated signal caller, and could turn out to be one of the surprises of the 2017 quarterback class.

A four-year starter in Boulder, Liufau showed immense promise early in his college career. Unfortunately, as Colorado made some changes to its offense, his production and effectiveness fell off. By his senior year, the Buffaloes had implemented a run-first attack, playing a big part in the fact that he ran for nearly as many touchdowns as he threw in 2016.

Is Liufau a future long-term starter in the NFL? Probably not. However, he does have the arm talent, intangibles and experience to be groomed into a decent backup. A seventh-round pick is a small price to pay for a fair amount of upside, especially under center.