The Atlanta Falcons are considering Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard as a potential first draft pick at No. 48 overall. This marks a shift from earlier projections favoring defensive tackles.
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Unless they can find someone willing to give them a first for Kyle Pitts, we probably won't hear from the Atlanta Falcons until tomorrow night, when they'll be on the clock in the middle of the second round at No. 48 overall.
Throughout most of the draft season a variety of projected Day 2 defensive tackles have been mocked to Atlanta at that spot. With just hours to go though there's been a late shift, with wide receiver prospects suddenly taking precedence over other positions.
The latest name connected with the Falcons and that 48th pick is Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard, who Justin Melo at NFL Draft on SI has him going to Atlanta in his second-round only mock draft.
"The Atlanta Falcons have quite the quarterback room with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Wide receiver has been a need behind Drake London. Using this selection to invest in the quarterbacks makes sense. Germie Bernard is a perfect No. 2 complement receiver, with his savvy route running and high football IQ to exploit soft zones in defenses."
Bernard (6-foot-1, 204 pounds) is coming off a breakout year at Alabama, where he put up 64 catches, 862 yards and seven touchdowns. Here are the highlights.
Bernard comes with strong athletic numbers, as well. He is projected to come off the board in Round 2, at No. 56 overall on average.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire:
Germie Bernard is an Alabama wide receiver noted for his savvy route running and high football IQ, making him a strong candidate to complement the Falcons' receiving corps.
Initially, the Falcons were projected to draft a defensive tackle at No. 48, but recent trends have shifted focus to wide receivers.
The Falcons have a notable quarterback room featuring Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., which influences their draft strategy for wide receivers.
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