Falcons set to pick 27th in the NFL draft
Maybe the Falcons will pick Ironhead's little boy, Cameron Heyward (Whitfield Academy/Peachtree Ridge) in the NFL draft. (Associated Press)
FLOWERY BRANCH – With the Patriots, who were the No. 1 seed in the AFC, also losing in the divisional round, the Falcons moved up from the 28th spot to the 27th spot for the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Patriots selected Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty with the 27th pick last season.
Some of the players who could be available at 27 include:
–Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
–Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
–Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
–Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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121 comments Add your comment
DIRTY BIRD FAN
January 17th, 2011
4:54 pm
Thanks for a good season, RISE UP FURTHER NEXT YEAR!
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Falcons will get Better
January 17th, 2011
5:02 pm
@JAY- im sorry i have to say this but brent grimes is to short for the receiver that teams have today. Just because i said brent needs to go in the slot doesn’t mean he is a bad CB. Its just that with his athleticism he will be able to thrive in the slot. So that way if any QB decides to lob a pass over him he can easily intercept it or bat it down. And second, seeing as how the falcons will be picking 27th it makes now sense in drafting a worthless DE, cause chances are he will get lost in the rotation just like lawrence sidbury did this year. so i we need to make smart and reliable picks that will pan out for us right now. thats why we should get JON BALDWIN he is a beast and he will take the double team of of roddy white. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY PUSH TEAMS SAFETIES FURTHER DOWN THE FIELD, AND LET OUR RUNNING GAME GET GOING.
DJ Sniper
January 17th, 2011
5:43 pm
I’m not really focused on the draft as I am the mindset of our coaching staff. There has been plenty of justified criticism levied at MM and BVG during the season, but can anyone say whether it’s the coordinators who are failing or if CMS is failing? I like Smitty and he’s done a good job, but after reading some of the comments, I’d really like to know who is really holding our offense and defense back. If in fact it is Smitty, I really hope he takes a long hard look at himself during the offseason and learns how to be more aggressive.
Cornell
January 17th, 2011
6:19 pm
For improvements, I definitly think we need to add spend on both sides of the ball. More so the offense. I would love to add Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams from Carolina Panthers to our offense. Get some competition for turner so we can get some consistant tuff play from Turner. Steve Smith will add that speed and big play guy that we desperately need on Offense. DeAngelo Williams will give us that change of pace running back that we need and at the same time push Michael Turner for the Starting Running Back position. Defensively we Need to continue to build through the draft. Unless there is a no-brainer out there that wants to play for us. If we cant sign DeAngelo as a free agent we should try to get Ingram from Alabama. His vision and ability to make guys miss will be a perfect fit for our offense. Raiders Cornerback I would love to have but considering that we just signed robinson last year I cant see us spending big time money on the same position 2 years in a row.
Cornell
January 17th, 2011
6:29 pm
Another thing……you can say what you want about Dimitriof Draft. We drafted William Moore who was a beast this year. Curtis Lofton who is one of the best middle linebackers in the league, Thomas Decoud who is coming into his own. Peiri Jerry who has battled injuries the first 2 years but when he has played you seen him making plays in the backfield. Koi Bierman who was drafted in the 4 rd plays with an high motor and considering where we drafted him, we got way more production out of him then what we would have expected and this is only his 2nd or 3rd year. Sam Baker who at times had problems but is solid at left tackle especially considering he faces the other teams best rusher. Matt Ryan who made the pro-bowl this year. Harry douglas who would have had a better year stats wise if Ryan wouldnt have over thrown him several times this year for big plays. The only real bust that I can see is Chris Owens.
scottyjames
January 17th, 2011
6:57 pm
I have rewatched alot of games, and no one seems able or willing to admit Matt Ryan’s short-comings.Ryan is an erratic passer when it comes to throwing deep intermediate routes. All top passing teams in the NFL expose this area of the field. Aaron Rodgers did so all night on Saturday. When Ryan tries, the balls either float or fall short. He has a high completion % but little yardage because his passes are all under 20 yards a pop. This is not even near elite QB play in the NFL. For a QB to carry a team, he has to be able to stretch the field more than Ryan has demonstrated thus far. A QB doesn’t have to have a giant arm, but he does have to have the ability to throw accurtely the 20-35 yard passes. This is why Drew Brees is so good. He can’t throw 50 yards down field like Big Ben, but he is deadly accurate with 20-40 yard throws. Unfortunately, I see Ryan being the next Chad Pennington(or similar to that type of QB) than the next Drew Brees. I think the Falcon brass is so in love with Ryan’s intangibles and character, they have decided to overlook his downside. Instead, they try to cover up these major flaws by calling a run first/underneath passing offense so to not expose his deficiencies. The problem is that some top defensive coordinators, like Williams and Capers, have figured this out and put out the blue print to shutting down the Falcon offense. Another problem is that Turner is getting to that “too old” age for RB’s and has shown alot of wear lately, so the running game may not even be there next year. With a below average secondary, a declining running game, and an inability to stretch the field on offense; the future is not looking as bright as many around here think.
Falcon2
January 17th, 2011
6:59 pm
Atlanta needs a Quarterback. Ryan is a waste of time. We will never win a playoff game with him unless we have a defense the caliber of the Jets or Ravens. He is the most overrated QB ever.
big root
January 17th, 2011
7:21 pm
ATLANTA needs a TE, WR, DL, CB, LB, RB, DE
The plan
January 17th, 2011
7:42 pm
pick 1- you cant get heyward he is derrick morgan but even less talented at getting to the quarterback. there will be no elite end at pick 27, unless TD really likes Justin Houston at end, but that is unlikely.So the pick has to be somewhere else and the falcons need to get patrick peterson of lsu because he gives them a physical 6 footer that has fluid hips, and allow grimes to play the nickel which is basically a starter in today’s NFL.
With the second pick you address the need of an offensive deep threat by taking Noel Devine of West Virginia, while he plays rb he can be the home run threat the falcons have been missing, like Mccluster out of Mississippi.
Third pick- you now address your needs on the defensive line by drafting Cliff Matthews out of South Carolina.
fourth pick- DJ Williams you need an eventual successor to Tony G and it aint peele.
fifth pick- Mark Barron out of bama and someone to compete with Decoud
bad plan
January 17th, 2011
7:54 pm
probably need to replace peterson with more realistic pick like you know Brandon Harris. Who is from miami and he could give you an Ed reed like player who goes and gets the ball.
Tyler
January 17th, 2011
7:58 pm
What about Mike Pouncey (if available), Allen Bailey or Brandon Harris?
Tyler
January 17th, 2011
8:00 pm
The three that I just mentioned are rated as the number 17, 27, and 29th prospects (in that order)!
DirtyBird
January 17th, 2011
9:23 pm
Take the top corner. But do what Jimmy Johnson on FOX NFL Sunday said, “They all graduated college.”
coolfalconsguy
January 17th, 2011
9:26 pm
Alright, seen a lot of comments about matt ryan not being great because of arm strength etc.. he is the answer he won 13 games for goodness sake that isnt a fluke boys ands girls.. However I definitely agree with the upgrade on defense… Ryan is not one to go out there and bring u back from bid digit margins we all know that but if he had a defense who could keep him in the game it makes his job easier and he will make less mistakes. But lets look at both sides of the ball i would change the following:
1. Harry Douglass – replace him and get someone who can become a good catch and run guy.
2. Jerious Norwood – replace him hes injured prone and get u someone who is tough but also a phnesse
hind tit
January 17th, 2011
11:08 pm
I see why Georgia ranks last in education after reading these blogs.
slad3
January 17th, 2011
11:38 pm
lol………. hind tit. boy that was very funny. i am from georgia a graduate of southwest dekalb high and i think we have a pretty good school but your right about these blogs. you have to also remeber that many of these bloggers are from other states. i love my falcons keep blogging folks.
slad3
January 17th, 2011
11:39 pm
my bad correction you’re and remember
kaminari
January 18th, 2011
12:24 am
I think it is imperative we get help on the defensive side. I am shocked that one key piece, #29, could set us back so much. It was painful to watch Chris Owens out there getting schooled. We need more defensive depth and I believe that TD will address those sink holes in the draft.
HJones
January 18th, 2011
7:32 am
If the Falcon’s Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey refuses to call long pass plays, there is no need to acquire a speed WR. We don’t really know if Matt Ryan can throw long because we never throw long pass plays. The statistics of last in the NFL in over 20 yard plays and next to last in the NFL in over 20 yard pass plays indicts the Offensive Coodinator as not doing his job. He needs to be fired along with the Defensive Coordinator. If Mike Smith continues to support the efforts of these two failures, then he is part of the problem. The loss on Saturday Night was a coaching failure. All of our players are not as bad as the team looked during this game. It was an embarrassment. The Falcons had two chances to win a big game: NO and GB. The coaching staff failed. As Vince Lombardi said. “Winning is Everything”. The game is played to win in the PLAYOFFS. Our coaches FAILED! Points win games not yards, time of possession, etc..
WOW
January 18th, 2011
9:06 am
Thank you! … if yall dont see MOORE than yall arent watching the game… he is a best!
The Dude Abides
January 18th, 2011
10:03 am
Ok we need to go offense with the 27th pick(TD said he’s willing to trade up) but we need a formidable running back tandem. The most underrated player is Mikel LeShoure from Illinois. He’s a Rashard Mendenhaal clone and has good hands.
Sign These three players in Free Agency: Vincent Jackson, Charles Johnson, Champ Bailey(bla bla a Georgia fest you’ll say but they are best available) Nnamdi Asomugha will cost a ton.
Get Mark Herzlich from BC in the 2nd round and draft Darvin Adams in the third round.
gadawgs
January 18th, 2011
10:18 am
WOW..I’ve been watching and yes Moore is a beast. He will lay the wood and was a great pick by TD. We do need some help on the defensive end side to compliment Abe. I love Bierman but he is a rotaional guy not a every down DE that other offenses have to scheme for.
E
January 18th, 2011
10:20 am
The falcons problem: They have always done a poor job at evaluating talent which leads to year after year poor draft picks. Within the last five years the falcons have had only 2 players from draft picks that have really made a difference which is M. Ryan and R. White everybody else drafted have been average at best. They also do a poor job at bringing in veterans players and developing talent. If anybody look at the four teams left in the playoffs each one of them have great defenses from the Def lineman, linebackers to the secondary and the falcons are average in all three areas. One things the falcons can not do is continuing to try to trick the fans week in and out and year after year that they are trying to put together the best talent possible because the fans know when their being cheated but told other wise by the coaches, GM and players.
Alpha9
January 18th, 2011
10:31 am
I do remember a Qb who couldn’t throw the deep ball well at all his name was Joe Montana..overrated QBs don’t trow for 3700 yds and have a almost 3- 1 int ratio..they also don’t lead alot of game winning drives or 4th qtr comebacks…
Alpha9
January 18th, 2011
10:35 am
Grimes Weems Lofton Moore Douglas (Injury) Jerry (Injury) Corey Peters Fa signings Tony G Mike Peterson Duntae Robinson who through half the season you didn’t hear his name called because they didn’t throw to his side of the field..Oh Brian Williams Sean Weatherspoon..really can’t evaluate talent…come on
Alpha9
January 18th, 2011
10:35 am
oh yeah not too mention Signing Matt Bryant
Samuel
January 18th, 2011
11:02 am
You need a fast running back that can get outside and spell Turner. You need a explosive wide receiver who other teams must game plan for. The Falcons need another pass rusher who can get production like Abe did this year. And a cornerback who’s better and faster than Dunte and mighty mouse Grimes. That’s four players who can make a difference.
FalconFan
January 18th, 2011
11:03 am
We need linebackers and defensive lineman for sure and hopefully can pull them (at lesat one) off the free agent market.
We need a second receiver and speed to be put in the backfield with Turner.
On another note, we need an OC that will open up the game!
Samuel
January 18th, 2011
11:08 am
Somebody on that Coaching staff needs to go. In the biggest game on a big stage, he called a bad game. How can you not include Tony Gonzales in one of the most Inportant games this year. That my friend is unacceptable.
Casey
January 18th, 2011
11:20 am
Can we please find a corner that’s over 6′ tall??
tardawg
January 18th, 2011
11:32 am
How abou a good DC, Steve smith from Carolina available, how stewart at running back
Dwayne
January 18th, 2011
11:36 am
Justin Houston at 27.
The Dude Abides
January 18th, 2011
11:46 am
Justin Houston at Dallas. Justin Houston in the 3-4.
fanfavorite
January 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
I’m tired of drafting players let get that CB Nnamdi Asomugha from Oakland and move Grimes to the nickel
DirtyBirdsin11
January 18th, 2011
2:14 pm
We gotta add a couple of playmakers to that offense. More speed at RB and WR is a must. On defense I think that the issue is size more than speed. If TD can find us some big playmakers at CB, DE, and a LB to replace Peterson, the defense will be in good shape. As far as free agents go, I would love to see Nnamdi and Plaxico in a Falcons uniform, but I doubt we’ll overpay for Nnamdi, and I don’t know that Plaxico fits into the mold of character guys they want in this organization. Ultimately, I think our offense will be unstoppable if we add a home run threat at WR and RB to take some pressure off of Turner and Roddy, and to give Matty Ice the big play options this team lacks. Might could’ve come back against GB if it didn’t take us 8 min to score every time. I love controlling the clock, but you also need big plays in the NFL. I have faith that Smith, TD, and Blank will make sure those needs are met, and we will see a new and improved Dirty Birds squad on the field next season.
Grady Jackson . . . . *Barber Shop*
January 18th, 2011
3:08 pm
Thanks, . . . . . .Captain Kirk.
ASHCAN.
January 18th, 2011
3:13 pm
I keep hearing the falcons will be fine,there still building,there still bla bla bla! WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR has been the falcons slogan since 1966 and people are still saying there gonna be alright.Heard that saying 10 years ago and counting.Don’t you people get it?
Ed
January 18th, 2011
3:14 pm
I think Dimitroff is licking his chops over the possibility of getting his hands on Cameron Heyward, he reminds me of Will Smith with the Saints. I think TD would move up to get him.
ASHCAN.
January 18th, 2011
3:15 pm
@cornell,BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13-4......
January 18th, 2011
3:37 pm
I know its a 1 in 1000 chance but I would love to see asomugha as a falcon. it would make the hurt from that packers loss go away and re new some excitement in the fans…. too bad it will never happen. we are stuck with robinson and williams and owens and grimes……..
Steve C
January 18th, 2011
4:47 pm
Love all the experts here that have never coached a down in the NFL.
jay dubu
January 18th, 2011
5:15 pm
This is the 4th draft for this front office. The team that they go into next season with, should be the most complete team since the new regime came in.
I think the defense needs a new coach though.
ln29576
January 18th, 2011
5:34 pm
Matty Ice aka Matty Nice after his loss to Green Bay per ESPN, love the new name.
SKEWMANIA RUNNING WILD
January 18th, 2011
8:07 pm
Cut Jenkins, Douglas, sign Moss or Smith, Train Matt to throw deep get speed back for outside run, more play action plays, write up new plays goaline run up the middle isnt working for us, forget the run first remember the gtreatess show on turf, high powered offenses win bowls, and good running backs it up, you cant run the field on a two min drill, Mike Smithe get tough on players you seem weak to me you dont motivate me to want to play, I want a coach who players fear not like. stop the one celebrations then getting burned on the next, move with a purpose , dont drag ass all day then in the 4th qtr try to do something you should be doing the first 3 qtrs, check your tempers you cant play mad, its a sign that you are losing the game, pay for the players you know you need the time is now after going 13-4 how do you think it will look to us if you dont improve by at going to NFC title game and dont when or at least one hell of a game
Dominic Hughes
January 18th, 2011
10:15 pm
Don’t forget the Falcons have Kerry Meier (WR) to come back from injury. I had high hopes for that kid. He won’t be a deep threat but I think he can help move the chains. I’d have no problems adding more speed to the WR mix later in the draft but early on I would be drafting the best playmaker – at any position – we can get our hands on. DE is a need but there are so many draft busts at that position (anybody remember Vernon Gholston?) I’d rather address it in free agency (isn’t that how we got our one good pass rusher? Isn’t how the Bears got Peppers?) Go after a sure thing. By the way, what ever happened to Lawrence Sidbury?
mgdawg
January 18th, 2011
10:38 pm
Oline or safety I think. One thing UGA’s D under vangorder always had was a stud at safety, the ravens have ed reed, the steelers have that guy whose name I am not going to pretend to know able to spell. Dline is something the falcons really need, but they have had bad luck with Dlineman from the draft and a safety can make an impact faster I think. One thing that a friend of mine noticed, who isn’t even a football fan, was how long ryan had to throw the ball versus how long rodgers had. Ryan had to throw the ball as soon as it got in his hands, anyone else notice all the skill players on offense getting probowl bids and not one olineman. The Oline played above their ability most of the year, but they can’t do that all the time.
As far as coaching changes, I’ve got a couple of comments. First on defense. How many times did abraham get into the backfield clean and just run right by rodgers on third down and allow rodgers to extend the drive? That’s not the coaches fault. However, I will say this, it seemed like to me the falcons did better in man coverage versus zone coverage in the game. Yet they seemed to run zone a lot more down the stretch. Also, keep in mind outside of abraham and maybe dunta robinson, who else are big name guys on the defense? The falcons had one of the lowest payrolls of the teams in the playoffs, I think you may be able to get around that during the season, but in the postseason that is going to show. Blank needs to get off the wallet and get some more impact players.
Doc Dawg
January 18th, 2011
11:03 pm
Hold on everybody… Peria Jerry and William Moore are essentially playing their rookie seasons, and not even at full speed. Its always the 2nd year after a devastating knee injury that a player regains true form. Clay Matthews is a great player, but DT was the outstanding need. The defense needs help, but Jerrious and Harry Douglass are at the end of the line. We need some speed on offense. We need at TE in waiting.
take it from me.
January 18th, 2011
11:19 pm
Hayward, if he is still around in the 27th round would be a perfect pick for falcons.i watched him play at PT Ridge, and in some games when Ohio ST was on tv.Hes a beast and can’t be stoped! Demans dubble team from the o-line on most every play,gives 100% on every play! falcons can’t go wrong on this player.We need defencesive help!
realitycheck
January 18th, 2011
11:42 pm
This regime has drafted very poorly, and the free agents haven’t been worth the money. The only real draft hit so far appears to be Matt Ryan who has been solid but not spectacular. Ryan has yet to prove that he can beat the really good teams, and he’s yet to prove that he can win when the running game isn’t working. This team has many more holes than was previously thought after being exposed in a grand way against the Packers. This team overachieved and lucked its way to that 13-3 record. In reality, this is probably more like a 10-6 club. The Falcons are drafting 27th,and after Saturday’s blowout loss they looked like they needed 27 draft picks. This team needs a lot!
Dominic Hughes
January 19th, 2011
12:30 am
I think the Falcons have drafted well the past few seasons. Ryan is obviously the star but there have been other hits. Weatherspoon, Lofton, DeCoud, Biermann, William Moore, Corey Peters…even Harry Douglas and Vance Walker were value for where they were taken. Yes, there have been duds as well, but you’re not going to get seven starters out of every draft. If you get a few and some situational players, I reckon you’ve done OK.