What will the Falcons do come April? Connor Rogers from NBC Sports, who covers the NFL Draft and the New York Jets, and Trevor Sikkema, the Lead NFL Draft Analyst at PFF, discussed two potential picks for the Atlanta Falcons in their recent two-round mock draft.
This discussion occurred following the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl on their show, “NFL Stock Exchange.” They highlight a familiar name, the well-known Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr., and a new prospect, Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter.
After the All-Star Games, CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr identifies the key area each team must address this offseason. Surprisingly, Kerr didn’t pick the pass rush for the Atlanta Falcons, similarly focusing on cornerback as NFLSE’s synopsis of the Darien Porter selection.
It is not like the Atlanta Falcons’ 2024 unit would be reassuring for 2025 were they all to return, having “allowed 34 passing touchdowns this season, second most in the NFL (only the Panthers allowed more),” Kerr wrote. “Opposing quarterbacks had a 100.2 passer rating targeting Atlanta. Perhaps Jeff Ulbrich can turn things around, but they need more help next to Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell.”
“I’m a big fan of Darien Porter,” says Sikkema. “I think he’s underrated in this draft class. His best football is ahead of him.” Rogers added, “(Porter) hit almost 22 miles per hour at the Senior Bowl. Size, length, when you can run like that, (Porter) brings so much athleticism to the backend of your defense.”
After interviewing Porter during the Senior Bowl Media Day, I was surprised by his official measurement of 6 feet 2 and 3/8 inches. I positively mean this. Based on my height, I would have estimated Porter to be closer to 6 feet 4 inches. However, Porter isn’t shy about his length. At the same time, he doesn’t rely solely on it.
He said, “I’m not just tall, long, and fast. I’m smart, I have a high football IQ, and I’m actually a very technically sound cornerback.” Porter’s high football IQ is evident: “I played three years as a receiver at the collegiate level, so I definitely can get inside the mind of the offense.”
Concerning Raheem Morris and Jeff Ulbrich’s anticipated 2025 defense, Porter has excellent route recognition in zone coverage, processes information swiftly, and possesses the vertical speed to close the receiver’s cushion. He allowed 70 receiving yards in coverage in total in 2024 and had three interceptions worth of ball production. Yes, you read that correctly. Porter appears ready to hit the ground running alongside elite, mentoring veterans like A.J. Terrell and Jessie Bates III in the Atlanta Falcons’ secondary.
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