2015 NFL mock draft: Falcons select Amari Cooper

With the eighth pick in Pride Of Detroit's 2015 NFL mock draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper. Nrs001 is serving as the Falcons' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.

This was a very difficult internal debate between need versus talent. The Falcons need to put the heat on the quarterback. I strongly considered Shane Ray or Randy Gregory. However, Cooper is a phenomenal talent. I actually rate him as the third-best talent in this draft behind Leonard Williams and Vic Beasley. Cooper has great size at 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds. He can work both on the outside and in the slot. Cooper has very nice top-end speed that allows for separation. He had a few drop issues in college, but that is something good coaching can work on.

Some may criticize this pick because the Falcons already have Roddy White, Julio Jones and Devin Hester. Roddy White will be 34 in December and Devin Hester does not possess No. 2 capabilities.

Kyle Shanahan is bringing a zone offense to the Falcons, so Amari will have to work on his run blocking, but his big-play potential will keep Atlanta in many games. So, in summary, Amari Cooper was just too great of a talent to pass up at No. 8.

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Check out the 2015 POD Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.