Atlanta Falcons

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Falcons need Desmond Trufant

Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant may be just what the Falcons need after losing Dunta Robinson and potentially Brent Grimes this offseason, according to mock draft experts.

By Louis Bien@louisbien Mar 27, 2013, 2:12pm EDT

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The Atlanta Falcons cut Dunta Robinson and are facing the possibility of losing Brent Grimes, as well, making cornerback a major position of need heading into the 2013 season. Meanwhile, Washington's Desmond Trufant has been one of the hotter names on the NFL Draft stock market since the end of the college football season. If Trufant is available at No. 30 overall, both Nate Davis of USA Today and Charley Casserly of NFL.com see the Falcons snagging the cornerback.

More: The Falcoholic Mocking the Draft

Of course, that's if he's available. Trufant could come off the board much sooner, if SB Nation's latest mock draft is any indication. There is good reason why Trufant's name is particularly hot at the moment. He has done nothing but impress in the offseason, from an excellent showing at the Senior Bowl to his 4.38 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Combine. At 6'0, 190 pounds, Trufant has the size and athleticism to compete at the next level.

Trufant is usually grouped among the top three cornerbacks in the 2013 draft class, along with Alabama's Dee Milliner and Florida State's Xavier Rhodes. The drop off is somewhat steep after that core group, meaning that the Falcons could go another direction altogether if all three players are off the board at No. 30. Dan Kadar likes UCLA defensive end Datone Jones if the Falcons are unable to directly address the secondary.