NFL Power Rankings: A Post-2017 NFL Draft Look at All 32 Teams

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Takkarist McKinley (UCLA) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he holds a photo of his grandmother as he is selected as the number 26 overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

. Atlanta Falcons. 3. team. 44. . 11-5

Key NFL Draft Additions: EDGE Takkarist McKinley, OLB Duke Riley, OG Sean Harlow

The Atlanta Falcons needed an elite pass-rusher to pair with outstanding EDGE Vic Beasley, and they picked one up with UCLA standout Takkarist McKinley.

McKinley’s draft speech was one for the books, and he instantly should be a fan favorite. Even if some viewed McKinley as a Round 2 prospect. It’s impossible to root against him though.

In addition to McKinley, Atlanta added LSU’s Duke Riley, who has speed to burn at his position. He was even smarter a pickup for the Falcons defense, which seems to be on the rise despite a lackluster finish in Super Bowl LI.

As of now, there’s no reason to assume the Falcons will give up their stranglehold on the NFC South.