Sunday, April 18, 2010

Falcons draft possibilities

Most of the focus on predicting the Falcons' 2010 draft is on the defense. Certainly the most gaping holes are on that side of the ball, but if the right offensive player were to fall down to their pick the Birds would do well to get him.
For instance, I'd like to see another wide receiver in camp, challenging Michael Jenkins for his starting job. Jenkins plays like a skinny tight end; he just isn't enough of a threat. Plus, Harry Douglas is coming off a serious injury. Trouble here is the wide receiver crop is thin at the top. It's Dez Bryant (still) and then a drop off. I do like Damian Williams of USC.
The Falcons could also take a left tackle and look at moving Sam Baker to the right side. He is overmatched against the better DEs. There are plenty of tackles at the top of this class and if a Trent Williams or Anthony Davis were to drop, Atlanta should spring on him.
Center is the one offensive position that the prognosticators have tied to the Falcons. Beat writer Orlando Ledbetter is pounding a drum for versatile Florida interior lineman Maurkice Pouncey. I like the team's veteran guards but there is no depth there and Todd McClure is entering his 12th season at center. Time to get his replacement.
On the other side of the ball, I wouldn't rule out another cornerback. Even with Dunta Robinson on board Atlanta could be better at this key spot. There are about four corners clustered on most draft boards: Kareem Jackson of Alabama, Patrick Robinson of FSU, Devin McCourty of Baylor and Kyle Wilson of Boise State. Jackson and Wilson are my picks.
Defensive end is a position of need as the clock seems to have run down on the Jamaal Anderson Experience. Everson Griffen of USC would be a really good fit. I'm hearing Brandon Graham, but I think a 3-4 team looking for an OLB to rush the passer will snap him up. Greg Hardy of Mississippi in a later round would be an interesting addition.
OLB is a positon of need many have focused on. Graham has been mentioned in that role. Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri was the hot pick for some time and Atlanta certainly did its due diligence in checking him out. I prefer Daryl Washington of TCU and maybe his Horned Frog teammate, Jerry Hughes.
One key here is the Falcons have made it clear they would like to acquire a second round pick. The best way to do so is to trade down. New England is a possibility, though it's hard to imagine them overpaying to move up three spots. However, Dimitroff usually gets what he wants, so let's look for a trade down by the Birds with them still getting a good OLB (Navorro Bowman of Penn State?) and the second rounder Dimitroff wants. If they stay put, look for the pick to be Pouncey (if he falls) or Daryl Washington.

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