The Atlanta Falcons have added expert place gamers within the prime 10 of the NFL Draft every of the previous 4 years. Professional Soccer & Sports activities Community’s Joe DeLeone sees the Falcons deciding on one other vast receiver early in 2025, however within the second spherical reasonably than the primary.

In his newest NFL mock draft launched on Feb. 22, DeLeone predicted the Falcons to pick Miami Hurricanes wideout Xavier Restrepo at No. 46 total.

“Xavier Restrepo was a technician as a route runner this yr for Miami, always getting open for Cam Ward to seek out him for big chunk performs. His skillset within the slot is a lacking piece for this Falcons receiving unit,” wrote DeLeone.

Our workers agrees that including a receiver on Day 2 of the draft makes numerous sense for the Falcons. SI on Falcons’ Terrance Biggs known as wideout a “sneaky Day 2 want” for Atlanta.

DeLeone’s analyst instructed Restrepo may give the Falcons one thing the offense was missing in 2024 whereas Biggs argued including a receiver on Day 2 can be a extra proactive transfer for 2026. Veteran slot receiver Ray-Ray McCloud and tight finish Kyle Pitts are set to be free brokers subsequent yr.

Each takes might be true on the similar time. Restrepo has the instruments to probably contribute rapid as a depth receiver. He may additionally ultimately begin reverse Drake London.

That’s basically the abstract of Restrepo’s draft profile at NFL.com. Analyst Lance Zierlein positioned the Miami receiver within the “good backup with the potential to develop right into a starter’ tier.

“Feisty slot-only goal who has maximized his expertise and honed his craft,” Zierlein wrote. “Restrepo is a route chef who reeks of urgency and performs a lot quicker than the stopwatch is more likely to time him.

“Subpar size and common measurables may create some hesitation for NFL evaluators however the play and soccer demeanor really feel translatable as a future beginning slot.”

Restrepo led the ACC with 1,127 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns throughout 2024. Over a five-year profession at Miami, he registered 200 receptions for two,844 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns.

He averaged 16.3 yards per catch in 2024. However within the NFL, Restrepo is more likely to be again round his 12.8 yards per reception common from 2023.

The Falcons are returning their prime 5 move catchers when it comes to yards from the 2024 season. London led the group with 100 catches, 1,271 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Darnell Mooney simply missed the 1,000-yard plateau with 992 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. He led the Falcons with a 15.5 yards per catch common.

However the third yr in Mooney’s contract isn’t assured, so he may additionally depart from Atlanta subsequent offseason. Including a receiver similar to Restrepo on Day 2 will assist stop quarterback Michael Penix Jr. from having an almost fully totally different receiver room a yr from now.