NFL Draft: 5 WRs the Falcons could target outside of top 10
The Atlanta Falcons may not be looking to select a wide receiver at No. 4 overall, but that doesn’t mean they will ignore the position entirely. With all the attention focused on the draft’s top four receiving options (Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and TE/WR Kyle Pitts), there are a handful of reliable playmakers the team could get outside of the top 10.
Here are five receivers the Falcons could target in the 2021 draft without having to use a top-10 pick on the position.
Rashod Bateman - Minnesota
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Projection: Rounds 1 - 2 The biggest knock on Bateman is his lack of speed, which could hinder his ability to create separation from opposing defenders. Despite this, Bateman has very good route-running skills and enough athletic ability to go up and win jump ball scenarios, or adjust to errant passes. Bateman's pro comparison is Mohamed Sanu, the former Falcons receiver. His upside may not be that of a surefire No. 1 option, but he could provide Atlanta with quality depth and become an eventual starter.
Kadarius Toney - Florida
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Projection: Rounds 1 - 2 Toney is a short, twitchy receiver that can break away on any catch. His explosiveness when the ball is in his hand is pretty remarkable. However, his small build does provide some concerns regarding his durability in the NFL. Toney may have shown excellent contact balance in college, but the NFL game is much quicker and much more physical. Nonetheless, he still provides an element that the Falcons haven't had in quite a while.
Terrace Marshall - LSU
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Projection: Round 2 - 3 Marshall was a major beneficiary of Ja'Marr Chase opting out of the 2020 college football season. Considering the Falcons don't have a true X-receiver replacement for Julio, Marshall could be the one to eventually fill this role. The LSU wideout has elite speed, and the ability to go up over defenders and use his wide catch radius to bring the ball in.
Rondale Moore - Purdue
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Projections: Rounds 2 - 3 Rondale Moore offers similar capabilities to Florida's Kadarius Toney. At 5-foot-7, the Purdue receiver comes in four inches shorter than Toney, offering the same concern around his durability. Like Toney, his quick twitch and shifty play style is more suited for screens and underneath routes. Moore has to become more polished on his route running to make an impact at the NFL level.
Elijah Moore - Ole Miss
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Projection: Round 3 Moore has shown he has what it takes to be a game-changing NFL talent. While he isn't a perimeter player, his route running in the slot is sharp and he can hold onto the ball when taking the big hits over the middle. Moore ended his time in college by being named to the First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC. Additionally, Moore finished as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, an honor given to the best receiver in the country.
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