2018 NFL Mock Draft: Super Bowl LII and Senior Bowl Edition

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the North team throws the ball during the first half of the Reese's Senior Bowl against the the South team at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the North team throws the ball during the first half of the Reese's Senior Bowl against the the South team at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Da’Ron Payne #94 celebrate with the trophy after the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Da’Ron Payne #94 celebrate with the trophy after the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Alabama. Da'Ron Payne. 26. player. 44. . Defensive Tackle

The Atlanta Falcons have the luxury of being able to select the best player available in the 2018 NFL Draft. Atlanta doesn’t have any glaring flaws or weaknesses, which means it can take the best talent on the board and plug them in accordingly.

Under those circumstances, the best player on the board is Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne—a player who conveniently fills a void.

Dontari Poe is a high-quality contributor and a leader in the locker room, but he’s also a free agent. Staring down the possibility of losing Poe to the open market, it works out perfectly that the best player at No. 26 overall is one who can be plugged in as soon as 2018.

Payne has been a consistent contributor throughout his Alabama career, but it was his success during the College Football Playoff that boosted his draft stock.

Payne doesn’t have gaudy numbers, but he’s the kind of player whom the Falcons faced in the 2018 NFL Playoffs. He collapses a pocket with his sheer size and physicality, which makes him a perfect fit alongside Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett.

It’s possible that the Falcons will re-sign Poe, but if they fail to do so, then Payne would be an ideal replacement at defensive tackle.