The Falcons’ re-emergence after the anomaly that was the 2013 season starts with the NFL Draft when the Falcons and the rest of the NFL teams get together to rebuild for the upcoming season.
The Falcons are in prime position at No. 6 to make a splash in the first round. That means the Falcons have a chance to get an impact player that can make a difference right away.
Based on the Falcons’ needs, they can go a number of different directions when it comes to what player/position they want to draft. But whatever they do with their picks, they have to make sure they select the right players that can help them get back to the top of the NFC standings.
PROTECTION NEEDED …
Offensive line is one of the Falcons’ biggest needs heading into the offseason and the Falcons took advantage of their No. 6 pick with Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews. Matthews could be the next great left tackle and would give the offensive line a much-needed boost.
Auburn’s Greg Robinson would not be a bad choice, either. Robinson is a big, strong left tackle that still has some growing to do. Like Matthews, Robinson has what it takes to be a dominant left tackle in the NFL according to many draft experts and talent evaluators.
Michigan’s Taylor Lewan is another offensive tackle that could be on the Falcons’ radar. Lewan has a lot of experience and has the length and agility to be a left tackle in the NFL for several years.
Needless to say, the Julio Jones pick-up worked well for the Falcons and now could make people wonder if they might try to do the same thing in this year’s draft. Dimitroff was asked about whether this team would be in position to take a gamble like that again this year.
“There are a number of really good football players that we would consider,” Dimitroff said. “We always go through that scenario and discuss what truly is worth moving up for to give up picks.”
Dimtroff did mention during his press conference that relationships built with different organizations could play into the chances that a draft-night deal could be pulled off. In that regard, the Falcons do have a great relationship with St. Louis Rams general manager Les Snead and Jacksonville Jaguars GM David Caldwell. The Rams sit at No. 2 overall and the Jaguars are at No. 3. Both teams’ GM’s were members of the Falcons’ personnel department prior taking over these teams.
That being the case, the Falcons’ GM does admit the sixth pick in the draft doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll only consider moving up on Thursday night.
If the Falcons want to wait and get an offensive lineman in the second or third round, Virginia’s Morgan Moses could be a good fit. He has been described as a “dancing bear” with his large frame and nimble feet.
With Tony Gonzalez retired, the Falcons may look to draft a tight end in the later rounds. Iowa’s C.J. Fiedorowicz, a 6-foot-7, 265-pound beast, could be available in the fourth round. He’s great as a blocker and is a solid receiver. The Falcons could go local for Georgia’s Arthur Lynch, who should be available in the later rounds. Lynch is not an elite receiver, but he’s good at running routes and should be able to fit right in Dirk Koetter’s vertical passing attack.
FEEL THE RUSH …
The Falcons can improve on the defensive side of the ball with help on the defensive line as well as in the secondary. The one player that could change the whole complexity of the defense is South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney. He has the size, speed and explosiveness to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL, which is something the Falcons need.
However, Buffalo’s Khalil Mack is an outside linebacker that most likely fits into what the Falcons want to do on defense. Mack is a durable player that can play either linebacker or defensive end.
If the Falcons decide to go defense with their No. 1 pick, Auburn’s Dee Ford would be a good pick in the second round. The defensive end has great burst and underrated strength. He could be the best pass-rushing defensive end in the draft.
Atlanta may want to use a selection for help at free safety. If the Falcons want to take a safety in the earlier rounds of the draft, Jimmie Ward from Northern Illinois and Ed Reynolds from Stanford should be available. Or if the Falcons want to wait and get a safety with one of their two fourth-round picks, Ahmad Dixon from Baylor and Terrence Brooks from Florida State would be good choices as well.
The Falcons drafted two stout cornerbacks last year in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford. But they could draft another cornerback just to add depth. With a fifth- or sixth-round pick, the Falcons could select a player such as Chris Davis from Auburn or Nevin Dawson from Utah State.
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