2020 NFL Mock Draft: Post-2019 college football season edition

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 07: A detail of the jersey of Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers as he stands on the field after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 37-10 to win the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 07: A detail of the jersey of Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers as he stands on the field after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 37-10 to win the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 29: CJ Henderson #5 of the Florida Gators (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 29: CJ Henderson #5 of the Florida Gators (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

16. Atlanta Falcons: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida

The run on corners is officially underway with Henderson going to Atlanta. I think the Falcons have a few needs, but they should really be putting themselves in position to win in the post-Drew Brees era. That might start next year, but I mean 2-3 years. That involves getting better at corner, and I think Henderson could develop into a quality starter for the Falcons.

Critics will love to point out that Henderson hasn’t really played well this year and is a weak tackler, but we’ve seen that from first-round locks at defensive back in recent years. You don’t want to get hurt, and you let that affect how well you play in your final year of college. I’m not trying to excuse it, but context matters.

There’ve been a lot of Florida players that haven’t panned out in the NFL, but I really want to look at Henderson as an individual and not an archetype. He can tackle better than most give him credit for. Even if he couldn’t he’s got the ball skills where he doesn’t have to be the best tackler. He’s not playing linebacker. He’s going to try to lock down the other team’s best receiver, and I think he at least has a chance to do that.

In a division with Michael Thomas and Mike Evans, you’ve got to have a great cornerback to win. Although there are quality edge rushers here, I think they need to focus on DB and take Henderson.