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2019 NFL Draft: Two-round, 32-team mock amid scouting combine

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 9: Defensive back Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Tyler Simmons #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks of the Georgia Bulldogs on October 9, 2016 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages)
COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 9: Defensive back Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Tyler Simmons #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks of the Georgia Bulldogs on October 9, 2016 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages) /

. Cornerback. Georgia. Deandre Baker. 14. player. 44

It’s not too hard to find mock drafts suggesting the Atlanta Falcons will focus on the front seven of their defense first.

That’s definitely a possibility. Some interior defenders would help, particularly those who could help out the young pass-rusher, Takkarist McKinley, in coming seasons.

But while injuries thwarted Atlanta’s defense aplenty in 2018, head coach Dan Quinn’s squad could stand some secondary upgrades anyway. Here is where the Falcons stay local, grabbing arguably the second best cornerback in this year’s NFL Draft, Georgia’s Deandre Baker.

Baker is tailored for nickel duties, but he has the coverage skills to cover on the outside if needed. He’s also tough and physical, making him a perfect matchup to handle some of the well-known receivers within the NFC South.