Locked On Falcons - Daily Podcast On The Atlanta Falcons · Locked On Podcast Network, Aaron Freeman

MOCK DRAFT: Atlanta Falcons Target Cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, Ignoring Size CONCERNS For Pure Talent

·30 min·2 clips

Could undersized cornerback D'Angelo Pons be the next Brent Grimes for the Atlanta Falcons?

This episode of Locked On Falcons analyzes a recent three-round mock draft and shares quarterback rumors from the NFL Scouting Combine. Host Aaron Freeman, a longtime Falcons analyst, examines potential team targets and free agency intel. Pro Football Focus analyst Dalton Wasserman's mock draft has Atlanta selecting Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Pons in the second round and Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch in the third. Pons measured at 5'9" and 182 pounds at the combine, where he recorded a 43.5-inch vertical jump, the best among cornerbacks. Freeman compares Pons' undersized, athletic profile to former Falcon Brent Grimes or current Viking Byron Murphy, suggesting he could provide inside-outside versatility. The host notes the Falcons' existing group of smaller cornerbacks, humorously termed "shrimp cornerbacks," and questions if Pons would necessitate still seeking a larger outside corner. Zachariah Branch, measured at 5'9" and 177 pounds, ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and is viewed as a gadget player whose college usage involved many screen passes. Freeman states a third-round selection for Branch makes more sense if the Falcons first address their WR2 need in free agency. ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano reported combine intel suggesting Joe Flacco is the betting favorite to sign with Atlanta as a bridge quarterback, while one unnamed coach mentioned Tua Tagovailoa as a legitimate option. Tua is anticipated to be a post-June 1st cut by the Miami Dolphins, potentially allowing the Falcons to sign him for near the veteran minimum without impacting compensatory picks. Freeman speculates head coach Kevin Stefanski might have an affinity for Tua's playing style, similar to his reported interest in drafting quarterback Dylan Gabriel in Cleveland. The episode also covers linebacker Kaden Elliss, with reports indicating he could be a top-three paid free agent at his position, potentially commanding $12 million annually and pricing himself out of Atlanta. A surprising claim is that Tua Tagovailoa could be signed for roughly $1.3 million due to offset language in his expected release from Miami. An interesting insight connects the potential fit of gadget receiver Zachariah Branch to a Tua-led offense, given Miami's frequent use of screen passes. Freeman presents the philosophical question with Branch as whether his limited route tree in college was because he "can't" do more or because he "didn't" get asked to do more. The host suggests Pons could be a valuable sixth or seventh-best player on a theoretical top-five Falcons defense in the future. The report on Kaden Elliss comes with the acknowledgment that insider Jeremy Fowler has a strong recent track record with Falcons-related information. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending specific draft evaluation with league rumor reporting for an informed Falcons fanbase. The style is educational, breaking down player traits and scheme fits while exploring various offseason scenarios. This episode is ideal for Falcons fans deeply interested in the team's draft strategy and offseason quarterback plans. Listeners who prefer game analysis or are uninterested in speculative pre-free agency rumors might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A Falcons draft-room episode that folds cornerback, receiver, and quarterback chatter into one steady outlook.

Aaron Freeman uses Mock Draft Monday to steer the Falcons conversation through Dalton Wasserman's three-round mock, with Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Pons and Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch landing in Atlanta.

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Why you'd press play

You want Falcons offseason chess, with a cornerback bet and quarterback rumors in one pass.

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