Mock Draft 2.0: Falcons select center Maurkice Pouncey
In our latest mock draft, the Falcons select Florida center Maurkice Pouncey, the heir-apparent for Todd McClure.
BIRDLAND – Welcome to Mock Draft 2.0!
This is the first one since getting back from the NFL scouting combine. There was plenty of information to digest from Falcons head coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff who addressed the national meeting.
Loading ...The Falcons like their defensive ends and have concluded that a healthy Peria Jeria would have helped the pass rush immensely. Therefore, they are not compelled to reach for a defensive end after taking a tackle and an end in last year’s draft. Also, this draft is pretty deep at the position.
Dimitroff made it clear that the Falcons are a “needs based” drafting team. They know that center Todd McClure, who turned 33 in February, can’t play forever. So the decision will come down to either getting the McClure replacement or a linebacker for Mike Peterson, who will turn 34 in June.
With the 19th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons, in a surprise move, will select Florida center Maurkice Pouncey over Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. In Pouncey, the Falcons would get the top center in the draft, McClure’s eventual replacement and long-term protection for Matt Ryan.
Some of the risers after the combine include California running back Jahvid Best, UCLA defensive tackle Brian
California RB Jahvid Best helped himself at the combine.
Price and Texas Christian outside linebacker Jerry Hughes.
Some of the players who dropped where Florida’s Joe Haden, Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer, Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams and Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham.
AJC’s 2010 MOCK DRAFT 2.0
Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter projects the first round:
1. St. Louis Rams: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. The word is that head coach Steve Spagnuolo has fallen in love with McCoy. They will kick the tires on quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen, but pass.
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska. Coach Jim Schwartz is trying to re-create the type of defensive front he had as a coordinator in Tennessee.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Eric Berry, DB, Tampa Bay. The Creekside High product is the consensus No. 3 pick and Falcons fans will get to see him twice a year.
4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. The Redskins have to get a replacement for the retired Chris Samuels.
Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Byran Buluga, OT, Iowa. Can maul in the run game and is an excellent pass protector. He held Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan without a sack in the Orange Bowl.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech. Pete Carroll knows his defense has to be upgraded and passes on the quarterbacks. . . for now.
7. Cleveland Browns: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. New Cleveland president Mike Holmgren took a different approach to studying the quarterbacks at the combine. “We will watch them,” Holmgren said. “We’re not going to sit down with them here. If we are interested, we’re going to bring them in to Cleveland.” There haven’t been in Bradford sightings in the Flats yet.
8. Oakland Raiders: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. Al Davis was probably be excited about all of the back flips that Jason Pierre-Paul can do, but goes for some help for the offensive line.
9. Buffalo Bills: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida. One of the stars of the combine. Go find his back flip video on youtube.com.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama. The Jaguars get a middle linebacker to anchor the defense.
11. Denver Broncos: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State: The Broncos go for a Brandon Marshall replacement.
12. Miami Dolphins: Earl Thomas, FS, Texas. He had a great combine and is moving up on several boards. Dolphins need better back-end secondary coverage.
13. San Francisco 49′ers: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. The 49ers need some help for the over-worked running back Frank Gore.
14. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Carroll gets his quarterback of the future.
15. New York Giants: Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas. The G-men get a linebacker to replace Antonio Pierce.
16. Tennessee Titans: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida. With Kyle Vanden Bosch off to Detroit, the Titans have to restructure the defensive line.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma. The 49ers want to keep their running game moving and
Carlos Dunlap, Florida.
will have book-end tackles in Williams and Joe Staley.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joe Haden, CB, Florida. The Steelers go by what they see on film and not combing 40 times.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida. Thomas Dimitroff said the Falcons will draft based on need. They know Todd McClure can’t keep playing forever and pull the trigger on the top center in the draft. Not the sexiest pick, but you can’t start without the center.
20. Houston Texans: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri. The three-time all-Big 12 pick gets to return to the Lone Star state.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame. The Bengals want to put some speed opposite of Ocho Cinco.
22. New England Patriots: Taylor Mays, S, USC. A super athlete slips because his film is not that good. He only had two picks in three years as starter.
Brandon Graham, Michigan.
23. Green Bay Packers: Mike Iupati, OT, Idaho. The Packers let both of their tackles, Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, leave during free agency.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan. He fits the Eagles scheme and can help generate a pass rush.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois. The search for wide receivers has been ongoing in Baltimore for quite some time now.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. Has great size at 6-foot-7, 310 pounds. Has a big upside.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Chad Jones, S, LSU. Cowboys reach here for Jones, but they like his size and striking ability.
28. San Diego Chargers: Jahvid Best, RB, California. Makes a leap into the first round after a fine showing at the combine.
29. New York Jets: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech. Jets decide to get vertical weapon for their young quarterback.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Patrick Robinson, CB, FSU. He addressed his lack of a physical nature at the combine and was convincing. “If they want me to tackle, I’ll tackle,” Robinson said.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Brian Price, DT, UCLA. Gets great penetration and would be a nice fit in the Colts
Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech. (Johnny Crawford, jcrawford@ajc.com)
defense.
32. New Orleans Saints: Jerry Hughes, LB, Texas Christian. A versatile linebacker, who made a lot of plays for the Horned Frogs.
ON THE FRINGE: Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech; Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State; Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State; Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State; Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State; Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee; Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma; Charles Brown, OT, USC, Everson Griffen, DE, USC and Colt McCoy, QB, Texas.
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207 comments Add your comment
Joe Cox
March 5th, 2010
11:11 pm
i like kindle if he falls or witherspoon. maybe even kareem jackson from alabama. but if its a center we gotta trade down.
hind tit
March 5th, 2010
11:15 pm
why would you want pouncey. all this guy ever did was block for tebow and harvin to run the ball. if your going to draft a center draft one that’s going to passblock on half the plays.
Falcon fan
March 6th, 2010
12:00 am
Dude you must be high. A Center with the 1st pick?
Tnfalcon
March 6th, 2010
1:25 am
Falcons need a center but #19 is too high for Pouncey. Trade down for more picks then draft a center.
June
March 6th, 2010
1:34 am
This is a terrible mock draft. The Packers didn’t let Clifton go in free agency. No way Joe Haden falls to 18. Rams aren’t going to pick McCoy with the first pick. And Bradford will not fall to 7. And more…
topdog34
March 6th, 2010
1:35 am
It all starts with blocking and we/ve got to do a better job protecting Matt but our pass rush killed us down the stretch and Graham was the man at the senior bowl!
t-plunk
March 6th, 2010
3:01 am
we could get matt tennant out of B.C. later in the draft. (4th-5th round)
Michael
March 6th, 2010
3:21 am
You remain the most pathetic excuse for a beat writer I’ve ever seen. Good God, a center in the first round while our defense spent the entire season getting torched – are you trying to upset your readership or are you just attempting some sort of silly talking head BS like we get on ESPN all day? CONTROVERSY, say something stupid and people will pay attention… You’re a joke of a journalist. Seriously, pathetic. You should be fired almost immediately for posting this crap.
Big Ray
March 6th, 2010
3:31 am
I tried letting it sink in.
It kept bouncing off.
I understand the concept, I just can’t agree. I don’t hate Pouncey, and I agree with making sure Matt Ryan is protected. But a center in the first round?
First of all, that very idea is operating off of the vague notion that:
1) Peria Jerry will be healthy and play all of next season, and effectively help our DEs to get a lot more pressure on the QB. Yeah, well they had hoped that Trey Lewis would be healthy and up to speed as well. I hope, but I’d rather also plan for this not happening the way they want it to.
2) While Pouncey and company are protecting Ryan, Michael Jenkins is catching the ball, Harry Douglas is healthy all year, and Brian Finneran can contribute. Again, hanging on hopes.
3) Mike Peterson will be fine this year, and Stephen Nicholas will be better than ever. Peterson is 34. He’s going to slow down. Just hopefully not as quickly or badly as Keith Brooking did. But don’t count on it.
4) Turner will be closer to 2008 form than 2009 form. Norwood will stay healthy for at least 12 games. Hah.
5) We can readily address our D-line, LB, and WR needs in rounds 3, 4, and 5, with players who will contribute significantly either this year or next.
Still trying to let it sink in….still bouncing right off…..take the center later in the draft…
Dr. Warren
March 6th, 2010
4:29 am
ESPN mock drafts have Kyle Wilson going much higher–like 17 or so. If he is still available in the 2nd round, the Birds need to trade up and get him. One new CB (Robinson) is not enough to clean the mess that is the Atlanta secondary.
Anderson
March 6th, 2010
8:05 am
Draft C M.Pouncey only if the Falcons top 3 choices are gone (unlikely all three will be gone) @ #19. If so,trade down to very late in the 1st or very high in the 2nd and get an additional 2nd or 3rd rnd. pick. Only then would I be ok with drafting Pouncey.My gut feeling is that the pick will be Weatherspoon. If ‘Spoon is gone then it will be B.Graham.
The Real Falcon
March 6th, 2010
8:10 am
Lay off the Koolaid
TampaGator
March 6th, 2010
8:53 am
Pouncey is a great team player and an outstanding center, but the Falcons need to go defensive with this pick….period. They could possibly get Pouncey by trading up in the 2nd round.
byDawg
March 6th, 2010
9:09 am
Nope.
byDawg
March 6th, 2010
9:10 am
Falcons take Spoon, or trade down if he is gone. JMO(.
byDawg
March 6th, 2010
9:11 am
Although, I hate the thought of passing on talent like Taylor Mays if he were to be available at #19. Just doesn’t seem like it would work out with us being deep at his position though.
Navigator
March 6th, 2010
9:16 am
Anderson: You hit upon a good strategy if the right 19th pick is not available, sell the pick for two number 2″s or 2,3,4, as those rounds actually stock the NFL with most of their talent.
Mike J
March 6th, 2010
9:30 am
I think if both DTs are gone, Tampa will deal down to someone wanting a QB.
tbhawksfan
March 6th, 2010
10:10 am
Our first and fifth for NE’s first two seconds (44, 47).
Weatherspoon, Hughes or Bowman and maybe a Dan Price.
tbhawksfan
March 6th, 2010
10:11 am
Yeah, same offer to the Bucs.
gtgreg
March 6th, 2010
10:17 am
No way. Sorry, Orlando, but there is no Magic in a center pick for the Falcons. If we didn’t have one of the best in the league, then MAYBE I could see it. McClure still has at least a couple good years left. Maybe we draft a OT, I’d like that Iupati guy. Or Witherspoon. I agree that a DT/DE doesn’t seem right here. I like Chauncey/Kroy/Abraham at DE and Jerry/Babineaux/Lewis/Walker at DT. And with Dunta in the fold, CB is wrapped up, and we’re pretty solid at safety. If you want to think outside the box, why not predict a pick of a WR or RB. Please don’t predict a TE either. Tony G is fine, and we don’t want to spend ANOTHER high pick on TE like we did with Reeves.
j rev
March 6th, 2010
10:40 am
Seriously? No Brandon Spikes in the 1st round. Are you just throwing names together at random?
lewisstevens
March 6th, 2010
11:43 am
TERRENCE CODY…….
Tnfalcon
March 6th, 2010
11:58 am
Pouncey is not worth #19. Center is a need we can address in a later round. Atl needs OL but there are better players available at #19. I still say Taylor Mays could make a big difference to the defense. Let him play WLB.
colorado bulldog
March 6th, 2010
12:04 pm
Good grief, no way they pick a Center in the 1st round. An outside LB or Stud DE. ie. LB Weatherspoon of Mizzou or DE Graham from Michigan.
steve
March 6th, 2010
12:37 pm
I’m sure TD will make a wise choice would like to see the falcons draft a great tackle to protect Ryan and move Baker to guard or center. If there a opportunity to move down and get a second round choice that might be a option.
BIGBEN42
March 6th, 2010
12:40 pm
Good job, DOL you got them going.Keep up the good work.
auburncraig
March 6th, 2010
1:20 pm
First off, I have been freakishly accurate with my predictions of the falcons draft picks the last two years, hears what should happen. The Falcons should not take a center in the first round, instead take Sean Weaterspoon at OLB, you CAN’T pass on talent like that. If the Falcons really want to find an heir to McClure at C they should pick up Lyle Sendlein off FA. Sendlein is 6-foot3 inches tall, 305 lbs, 25 years old, going into his 4th NFL season, and has started all 16 games for ARI the last two seasons. Do not deny the logic of the Draft Guru.
My 2 cents
March 6th, 2010
1:31 pm
I like the DR pickup. If you look at the big picture we got two 1st round picks this year when the draft comes around. With the FA pickup of DR we did go defense with our 1st pick. He was 10th pick in 2004.
Now to the 19th pick in the draft. I like the idea of OL and I will explain. If you look at the jets their OL is full of upper teir linemen. I believe SF will be better if they go OL too. We need to protect our franchise QB and run block, it is that simple. We got Reynolds last year and he showed that he can play. Remeber the RB may touch the ball half the time, CB maybe twice a game, but the center touches the ball 100% of the offensive snaps.
On defense I hope we go ahead and cut JA. He didn’t electrify the defense at DT, infact we got better at the end of the season when he had limited play. This is the year to get him off of the books, we don’t want to be having this same discussion next year when we can’t cut him due to cap reasons.
This draft is deep in defense so the players we need can be picked on Saturday.
Look for Snelling to get more snaps if Turner can’t get over his ankle and get into form. The more Snelling ran, the beter he got. Imagine him behind a healthy OL.
PitBull.....
March 6th, 2010
2:06 pm
Know way they (Denver) take Dez Bryant, there coach is young, lacks experience as a disclplinarian, and he won’t be a great fit…..Also there goes your Baltimore projection with Boldin just getting picked up. The Falcons would be crazy to past on a D.E. Making B. Graham from Michigan, or Carlos Dunlap your obvious choice. Let’s look past the “one” time with the DUI, and look at his freakish side and speed. Doesn’t it remind you of some guy named Peppers now with the Bears. D Orlando, keep up the good work and keep us informed, but stay away from the “mock draft” thing man! Lol
PitBull.....
March 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
Michael Take a “Chill Pill” man! You need some serious help, and lets hope you get it before you’re standing outside the AJC YOU WHACK JOB!
space donkey
March 6th, 2010
7:03 pm
My two faves: Jahvid and Demaryius, which actually should be pronounced De-Mary-I-us. I bet they just call him the traditional Demarius.
Leon B
March 7th, 2010
11:25 am
All I know is Norwood is excellent when healthy, but not durable. Spiller would be an excellent addition to the run, pass and return games. Did we even run a return for a TD last year?
97
March 7th, 2010
12:34 pm
I THANK THE FALCONS SHOULD TRY TO TRADE DOWN FOR A LATE FIRST AND SECOND ROUND PICK THAT WAY WE SAVE MONEY AND GET TWO HIGH QUILITY PICKS BUT THATS JUST WHAT I THANK
HGN
March 8th, 2010
7:27 am
DOL you’ve got to be kidding me……….A center, with the obvious holes we have ? Nah. I’m Selling on that one. I agree with the other guys, if The Spoon or Graham is there we got to pull the trigger on one of them. Preferably The Spoon. But a center at this point, the 19th pick, no way. Maybe in Round 4. But not Round 1. Plus, we need a Starter with our No. 1…Not someone who is going to be sitting for at least a year.
Sell that……….Buy A Spoon or a Honey Graham.
Booger
March 8th, 2010
7:50 am
i saw blank pushing vick in his wheelchair in a dream.
Booger
March 8th, 2010
7:51 am
also saw calvin johnson pushing stafford in a wheelchair.
Buckeyeboy52
March 8th, 2010
8:18 am
Just keep the Florida Thugs off the Falcons roster. I do not care to pay my hard earned money to go see a future deadbeat and tick on society’s a$$ make millions for a few years only to blow it all on cheap women, fancy cars, 22″ wheels, and zoot suits!
Bama
March 8th, 2010
8:22 am
What? No Terrence Cody on this list?
Ben Rapistberger
March 8th, 2010
10:09 am
Hey guys, Big Ben here. I just wanted to tell you all that I love to rape you all’s down south southern belles. I just cant get enough of them.
And oh yeah, No almost always means yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ben Rapistberger
March 8th, 2010
10:12 am
Hey guys, Big Ben once again. Does anyone think that I am a thug like MV&?????? You guys dont think that, you all still love me right??? Because at the end of the day Im white just like you so if I rape women you all would still like to have a beer with me. Wheras that black animal MV7 kills dogs and we hate his guts. Thanx guys, how good it is to be born white in America!!!!!
Paddy O
March 8th, 2010
10:18 am
i still see, if available:
Haden
Spoon
Graham. Not a center. I’ll bet 50 bucks on it.
BobL
March 8th, 2010
10:34 am
Mr. Ledbetter, I have not heard this before, and I do like the idea. Keep building the lines.
Glenn
March 8th, 2010
10:59 am
CJ Spiller won’t go to the 9ers . They got Glen Coffee last year . CJ Spiller could easily be there at the 19th pick if the Falcons want him . Why though ? Rb’s are a dime a dozen . You can find a starting caliber rb in the 3rd or 4th round fairly easy . I see no sense in taking an rb early .
T.W. Powell
March 8th, 2010
11:06 am
Was is just a mistake that Berry’s school was not mentioned or can you just not bring yourself to report that a Tennessee player is being drafted in front of any orther SEC players?
ChippersLoveChild
March 8th, 2010
11:17 am
Packers have resigned Clifton already and McCarthy is high on Tauscher and still wants to bring him back… Soooooo…. your reasoning is off, but I could still see them going OL with that pick for sure. Both guys are old and a replacement will be needed soon.
gcs
March 8th, 2010
11:40 am
Jimmy Clausen, “quarterback of the future”?
That is HILARIOUS!
.
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
March 8th, 2010
4:51 pm
Orly, Whatcha smoking?
lucky lucy
March 8th, 2010
5:17 pm
LEDBETTER I NEED NEXT WEEKS LOTTO NUMBERS SINCE YOU HAVE A TIME MACHINE AND ALL
Luv 2 Hate Me
March 8th, 2010
6:21 pm
Dude please a Center in the 1st round. Ummmmmm maybe the 3rd round sense we gave up the 2nd. Believe me Centers will be available in the 3rd round and beyond.