Mel Kiper, Todd McShay debate Drake London vs. Garrett Wilson at No. 8 overall

The Atlanta Falcons are in an interesting spot. They traded their quarterback, they lost their top wide receiver to suspension and have the No. 8 overall pick in the draft.

So the question is what they’ll do with that pick. They could take a quarterback, or they could take a wide receiver and potentially put themselves in contention for a top pick next year. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay appeared to choose the latter, and they explained that on “First Draft” this week.

“The Atlanta Falcons could be in line to have the No. 1 pick overall in 2023 based on their current roster,” Kiper said. “They could be in line for CJ Stroud [from] Ohio State or Bryce Young from Alabama. Do they take a quarterback here? They certainly could. They passed on them last year to take Kyle Pitts.

“But outside of Kyle Pitts, Todd, who is Marcus Mariota throwing to right now? Would you not look at Drake London or Garrett Wilson here if you’re the Atlanta Falcons?”

Kiper decided on Wilson to the Falcons at No. 8. However, McShay thinks London might be a better option considering Atlanta has Pitts at tight end. He argued that putting the two of them together might work better than going with Pitts and Wilson.

“Give me Drake London here and pair him up with Pitts, and now I’ve got a basketball team out there fielding the football down the field,” McShay said. “My pick here would be Drake London. I know Falcons fans are wondering could this be Malik Willis? Bring in a quarterback, give him a year to sit and develop behind Marcus Mariota? Kenny Pickett’s a possibility, as well.

“But, personally, I think the Falcons should, and I think the Falcons will go with a wide receiver and my guess would be that it’s Drake London over Garrett Wilson, but neither would surprise me.”

Mel Kiper Jr. moves Drake London way up in his latest mock draft

NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. sees plenty of jumps in players’ draft position in the upcoming draft and one of the biggest jumps comes from USC Trojans wide receiver Drake London. London is Kiper’s top wide receiver prospect in this year’s draft, so it’s no surprise he’s a projected top-10 pick.

However, in his most recent mock, ESPN draft guru sees the USC product jumping all the way into the top five.

“As long as Mekhi Becton, left tackle, is good to go and they feel secure with Becton at left tackle, protecting Zach Wilson, you go for a guy to bring something they don’t have,” Kiper said. “That great length, that catch radius, the ability to win contested situations, the ability to be covered yet you’re open.

“He didn’t get a lot of separation, but this guy with that basketball background, (who) would really help Zach Wilson out tremendously. Red zone, getting those touchdowns. When you have Berrios and you have Elijah Moore, diminutive guys, a bigger receiver with the length that Drake London provides will be a real asset.”