NFL Draft: Here’s the Falcons’ plan for Day Two
If the Falcons don't move into the second round, look for them to take an offensive linemen with one of their third round picks. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH — It’s “Day Two” of the first-ever three-day draft.
The Falcons have sent Arthur Blank’s jet — that I like to call “Falcons One” – for first round pick Sean Weatherspoon and his family. He’ll be meeting with the media at 4 p.m. today.
I’m not going to pound my chest over being the first to tell you all about the greatness of Florida center Maurkice Pouncey. No center had been taken higher than 21 over the last 10 years, so it was a pretty bold – but correct – forecast. I have to thank some of our longtime NFL sources for pointing that out to us early on in the process.
Here’s a quick look at what should be another stunning day in the draft:
SECOND ROUND: Will the Falcons pull the trigger to get into the second round? Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff didn’t sound too promising when I asked him about it late last night. He said it would be “rich” to get into the middle or lower third of the round.
FIRST DAWG TO GO: Who will be Georgia’s first player to get drafted? It’s likely to be defensive tackle Jeff Owens in the third round, followed by linebacker Rennie Curran, defensive tackle Geno Atkins and safety Reshad Jones might have wait until Saturday.
STANDING PAT: If the Falcons stand pat for today with their two third round picks, they’ll pick the 83rd and 98th players overall. The Falcons heavily scouted the center position. It’s likely they’ll take one today, but Boston College’s Matt Tennant, the pride of Cincinnati Moeller High, will likely be gone.
Here are some of the players the Falcons scouted who are still available:
Troy's Brandon Lang (91) and Eugene Kinlaw (99) combine to drop Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFebvour during the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6, 2010 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Press-Register, Chip English)
CENTERS
- Erik Cook, New Mexico
- J.D. Walton, Baylor
- Matt Tennant, Boston College (likely second rounder)
- Ted Larsen, N.C. State
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
- Rodger Saffold, Indiana (possible second rounder)
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- Torell Troup, Central Florida (Salem High School)
- Corey Peters, Kentucky
- Brian Price, DT, UCLA (likely second rounder)
- Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse
DEFENSIVE ENDS
- Everson Griffen, DE, USC (likely second rounder)
- Brandon Lang, Troy (Tucker High School)
LINEBACKERS
- Eric Norwood, South Carolina, North Cobb High School, ( possible second rounder)
- Sean Lee, Penn State
- Navorro Bowman, Penn State
- Darryl Washington, TCU (likely second rounder)
- Daryl Sharpton, Miami
CORNERBACKS
- Traye Simmons, Minnesota
- Dominique Daniels, Nichols State
- Javier Arenas, Alabama
WIDE RECEIVERS
- Riley Cooper, Florida
- Eric Decker, Minnesota
- Ryan Wolfe, UNLV
- Marc Mariani, Montana
- Damian Williams, USC
- Jordan Shipley, Texas
Recent Posts
- NFL Draft: A look at 5 first round surpries
- Falcons select Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon
- NFL Draft Buzz: Mr. Blank stops by the media room
- NFL Draft Buzz: Falcons could trade down in the first
- Sean Weatherspoon chillaxing in Texas
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140 comments Add your comment
Tale of Woe
April 23rd, 2010
12:58 pm
Shannon – If you think the Falcons were going to pick Pouncey even if he was available then you need to get out of the house and stop reading what DOL is saying…Any moderate person who follows the Falcons knew they were going to go defense (DL or LB).
Anyway, someone, it might have been DOL report the Klecko thing. If this was 2005 everyone might have been talking about it.
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
April 23rd, 2010
12:59 pm
Orly,
Good call on Pouncey. Tonight, we should get the OL, then a receiver or one of the GA. DL.
Lynn's Cain
April 23rd, 2010
1:01 pm
i have the utmost confidence in Dimitroff, no worries at all with him when it comes to the draft..
i think R Jones and R Curran may have made a whole lot more money if they would’ve went back to school for one more year…got greedy..
J Arenas would be a nice pickup in the third, but thinkin the O-line needs to be addressed, some guys are getting old..
Patience is a virtue
April 23rd, 2010
1:13 pm
Reshad Jones made a huge mistake coming out this year.
ReddJonn68
April 23rd, 2010
1:18 pm
We have to give Matt another weapon on the field. I love Norwood but our return game does not put fear into any teams hearts. With Douglas returning punts, he was solid but will he be 100% this year. Finneran has been solid in the community, but we need someone to grow with our QB as this team grows. Look at what Cribbs did for a terrible Browns team he kept them in at least 4 games singlehandedly, also Percy Harvin is a versatile & game changing player. We need a shot in the arm on the offensive or return side of the ball, we’ve been hearing every year that coaches have put a package in for Jerious. I have yet to see him streaking down the sideline after taking a hitch pass or screen.We saw Percy do this too many times last year. Defensively trying another DE would make sense but we’ve been down that road as well, with all the picks we have waisted we could have signed a Jared Allen, a Jason Taylor, or a Van de Bocsh or any decent vet opposite Abraham. Let’s hope this staff will let the young birds on defense grow up, and put some offensive electricity into this good football team
gcs
April 23rd, 2010
1:22 pm
What is all this talk about a center? Is there something wrong with Todd McClure?? He is only 33 and has played something like 125 straight games. He is still good for several more seasons. The Falcons can afford to wait and pick up a project as his eventual replacement. BTW, McClure was a 7th round pick.
Also, why does everyone think signing Dunta Robinson solves all the problems in the defensive backfield ? They still need more DBs which was glaringly obvious after Brian Williams and Chris Houston got injured.
.
Delbert D.
April 23rd, 2010
1:22 pm
I’d like to try some NFL Draft. Does Taco Mac have it? I hope it’s better than that new 7-11 stuff.
Paddy
April 23rd, 2010
1:27 pm
O-Line and RB in the 3rd. Or if not a RB a tight end. That is my thoughts on the matter! Would love to get Curran in the 6th or 7th. Sorry to say he will probably be available.
JoD
April 23rd, 2010
1:31 pm
Please Falcons, for god sake, do not draft that midget Curran. We need players, not actors.
Ted M
April 23rd, 2010
1:38 pm
Can you add link for a decent updated mock draft round 2 and 3?
Jeff
April 23rd, 2010
1:43 pm
This is all the WR left. We shouldn’t have passed on Thomas.
Seyi Ajirotutu Fresno State 6′3 204
Danario AlexanderMissouri 6′4 5/8 215
Alric Arnett West Virginia 6′1 3/4 188
Brandon Banks Kansas State 5′6 3/4 149
Chris Bell Norfolk State 6′2 1/8 211
Arrelious Benn Illinois 6′1 219
Nyan Boateng California 6′1 204
Dezmon Briscoe Kansas 6′2 207
Antonio BrownCentral Michigan 5′10 1/8186
Chris Carter Cal Davis 6′3 3/8 191
Riley Cooper Florida 6′3 3/8 222
Eric Decker Minnesota 6′3 1/8 217
Marcus Easley Connecticut 6′2 3/4 210
Jacoby Ford Clemson 5′8 7/8 186
David Gettis Baylor 6′3 217
Mardy Gilyard Cincinnati 5′11 7/8187
Shay Hodge Mississippi 6′1 1/4 209
Brandon James Florida 5′6 3/8 176
Donald Jones oungstown State 6′0 214
Kevin Jurovich San Jose State 5′11 7/8188
Brandon LaFell LSU 6′2 1/2 211
Scott Long Louisville 6′2 1/8 216
Chris McGaha Arizona State 6′0 7/8 201
Kerry Meier Kansas 6′2 1/8 224
Carlton MitchellSouth Florida 6′3 3/4 215
Preston Parker North Alabama 5′11 1/4199
Jared Perry Missouri 6′0 3/4 178
Taylor Price Ohio 6′0 3/8 204
David Reed Utah 6′0 1/8 191
Andre Roberts The Citadel 5′10 7/8195
Emmanuel SandersSouthern Methodist5′10 7/8 186
Jordan Shipley Texas 5′11 1/4 193
Golden Tate Notre Dame 5′10 1/2 199
Verran Tucker California 6′1 5/8 200
Chastin West Fresno State 6′0 3/8 212
Blair White Michigan 6′2 1/4 209
Jeremy Williams Tulane 6′0 1/8 206
Kyle Williams Arizona State 5′10 188
Mike Williams Syracuse 6′1 1/2 221
Stephen WilliamsToledo 6′4 1/2 210
J L C
April 23rd, 2010
1:44 pm
the falcons draft riley cooper in the 4th round , is my prediction I can’t be off more than Kiper and i bet he makes a lot more money than me
J L C
April 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
is golden tate a probable second round pick , I am hoping for a new receiver if you can’t tell. Roddy is awesome but we need more weapons
Robert
April 23rd, 2010
1:48 pm
Take Eric Norwood and Jordan Shipley.
Weatherspoon is a poor pick. Definitely should’ve taken Denver’s deal and moved down.
Whopper Dawg
April 23rd, 2010
1:51 pm
Now is the time for a center. I wouldn’t mind going OL, OL in the third. WR or TE would be good too.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
1:52 pm
Why would the Falcons draft Jeff Owens, Reshad jones, or Geno Atkins? Not one of those guys proved anything in college, and Dimitrioff has proven he is no idiot. Come on guys, I am a UGA fan too, but some of you really are making us look simple minded and ignorant.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
1:55 pm
Rennie Curran can also be included on the HELL NO list. Why would we need another linebacker? Some of you truly are idiots!
MG
April 23rd, 2010
1:57 pm
Why are the Falcons not offering Snelling to the Giants (plus adraft pick) for DE Osi Umenyoura ?
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
1:57 pm
I don’t know Jeff, there still looks like there is some pretty good wide receiver prospects on that list.
MG
April 23rd, 2010
1:59 pm
Champ…
we have Roddy, Jenks, Harry, and Finneran…
why the he## would we need another WR !
Jeff
April 23rd, 2010
2:06 pm
MG- because other than Turner he is the only RB we have.
Jeff
April 23rd, 2010
2:08 pm
MG- Cause Kenkins is going on his 7th year and still stinks. Finneran is going on his 10th year and hasn’t played in 10 games the last 3 years due to injury. Douglas while showed good flashes of what he could be as a rookie is coming off of knee surgery.
That leaves us with Weems, and Burgeron from the AFL.
Thats why
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April 23rd, 2010
2:08 pm
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MG
April 23rd, 2010
2:10 pm
Agreed but why not sign an aging RB in FA (like LT or Thomas Jones)and hope Turner doesn’t get hurt and deal Snelling for a proven DE.
I went to both Giants and Jets game vs Falcons last year and no doubt Snelling proved he could start ar RB in this league.
MG
April 23rd, 2010
2:11 pm
then why are those players still are on the team ?
be honest…they barely contribute anything at WR.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
2:13 pm
MG, I can see you are one of the ignorant people I was just talking about, so I will spell it out for you. Roddy White is obviously a pro bowler, no question there. Michael Jenkins is a number three wide receiver at best, he drops way too many important catches. Harry Douglas I normally would feel like could feel that nuber two wide receiver role, but he is coming off a major injury. Finneran, I like, but is old and gets hurt way too much. Never mind the fact that I did not state we needed a wide receiver, just stating that Jeff still listed some pretty good ones that are left. I will state it now though. WE EVENTUALLY NEED A WIDE RECEIVER IN THIS DRAFT, MG, YOU IGNORANT BAST***D!
MG
April 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
Gosh I think jamal Lewis is still available…
gotta have some gas left in that tank.
Plus he’s an ATL boy
Jeff
April 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
I guess because we have tied up all of our cash on DL and OL, look at my roster above. We are loaded with young talent on the lines.
Turner is in year 7, snelling in year 4. We don’t want to get rid of him. If anything trade Norwood and Jenkins for him, if that don’t do it throw in a 2011 pick.
Mr. Phil
April 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
DOL– I don’t mean to be on the bashing bandwagon. But I know you have ESPn Insider just like me. They where reporting the Steelers locked in on Pouncey since early on. I am just saying.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
April 23rd, 2010
2:16 pm
Witherspoon will help but there was not a desperate need at LB. In my opinion they had a diamond layed in their lap and threw it on the ground. Dez Bryant is top 10 talent on every board and the Falcons would have improved their offense by 50 % overnight by chosing him. He got a bad rap from the NCAA royalty but never was accused of violating any laws or being involved in immoral acts. He is an Academic All American and will be all-pro within 3 years.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
2:16 pm
MG, just shut your trap. You lost all credibility when you suggested to trade Jason snelling. Why the hell would we do that when he is a very good running back and we are paying him nothing substancial? We have plenty enough picks left in this years draft to take care of the rest of our needs.
MG
April 23rd, 2010
2:19 pm
Hey Chump
If we need a WR so bad why not address it in FA ?
Plenty of good ones out there. Plus any WR still available in round 3 is not what I want. WAY TOO many other holes to fill on this team.
If we build a great D maybe we can hold NO to under 70 points in the two games we play them this year.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
2:19 pm
By the way Jeff, I like Demaryius Thomas too, especially his height and speed. I was just stating that I still felt like there was some pretty good wide receivers on that list you had. We agree 100 percent on Thomas though.
MG
April 23rd, 2010
2:20 pm
who’s going to rush the passer and get sacks this year asswipe ?
Mr. Phil
April 23rd, 2010
2:22 pm
Flo-Ri-Duh: A Wr would have been a waste. We don’t want to get into scoring battles every game. Defense wins. We needed to be able to stop someone first and foremost. And trust, you will see Weatherspoon is a big upgrade over Peterson( Not that I dislike you Mike if you are reading this)
SC Smith
April 23rd, 2010
2:23 pm
Robert, I don’t agree with you on the Weatherspoon thing, I think he’s the real deal. But I do agree on the Eric Norwood, Jordan Shipley thing. You put Weatherspoon and Norwood on each side of Lofton man that would be a solid fast group of linebackers. Also if not Shipley, Cooper, Ford, LaFell or Gilyard would, also be solid. Roddy needs sombody to take the double teams off him. And Jenkins has never been able to do that. Fenn can’t stay healthy, and Douglas is a slot.
tasmit99
April 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
No one has mentioned Brandon Spikes being available. Has he withdrawn from the draft lol
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
MG, I am glad to see you are freely willing to spend all of the owners cash. I think maybe Arthur blank may have a problem with that though. In a dream world it would certainly work to go out and get the best free agent wide receiver, damn the money, but this is not a dream world. You have failed to remember one very important thing, Dimitrioff likes to build through the draft. He has only signed about one big free agent acquisition a year since he has been here. This year it was Dunta Robinson. However, just for arguments sake, who would you suggest we sign as a free agent wide receiver?
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Having said what I have said, I am perfectly satisfied with Sean Weatherspoon.
DX107
April 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Don’t worry DLED – Pouncey has a twin who will come out next year – still hopr for you!
Indiana Falcon Fan
April 23rd, 2010
2:28 pm
I have watched Indiana’s Rodger Saffold play the past two years. He has the size, speed, mental toughness, attitude, character, and desire. He will be an asset to the team. If I were Falcon management, pick Rodger ASAP.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
2:29 pm
MG, while you are spending all of Blank’s money, how about Osi Umenyiora at DE? While we are not thinking about realistic, lol.
Champ
April 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
MG, we could trade for him and then sign him to a very expensive extension in your world.
THE TONE
April 23rd, 2010
2:44 pm
while we are spending lets go get TO he still has a little left in the tank and he is such a great locker room influence
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 23rd, 2010
2:48 pm
told you so, we went with Defense 1rst round. Might as well draft the receiver out of Mizzou as well…D.Alexander, 6′4″- good stuff.
IceFan
April 23rd, 2010
2:48 pm
Anyone else notice how dissapointed Spiller and family looked after realizing they are going to Buffalo?
THE TONE
April 23rd, 2010
2:54 pm
yes the spiller family looked almsot as sick as Mel Kiper did when he realized the actual football people were not paying attention to his mock draft.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 23rd, 2010
3:00 pm
i saw that Ice- he’s like, damn Buffalo?? not to mention, that division got a lot tougher.
Jeff
April 23rd, 2010
3:01 pm
Are you kidding? We need to get Brandon James from Fla. he is 5′6 he will give Grimes someone to cover at practice….. lol
MG
April 23rd, 2010
3:03 pm
Chump,
Antonio Bryant, Nate Burelson, or Joey Galloway