Mock Draft 3.0: Falcons select DE Aldon Smith
Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (Associated Press)
BIRDLAND – The top of the draft is in a state of flux.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes there is a group of eight players worthy of the No. 1 overall pick.
Loading ...Kiper also believes that LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green, Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers and Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller would all be worthy No. 1 picks.
Gabbert is moving up on some boards after his pro day workout. Here’s a look.
“Gabbert, just because of his size, his arm, quick release and mobility,” Kiper said.
The key for the Falcons is how the defensive end and offensive tackle groups break down.
They are going to have options with the 27th pick in the first round. Under the draft scenario set forth in Mock Draft 3.0, the Falcons will pick between Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith and Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod.
Look for the Falcons to add another Missouri Tiger to the defense to join safety William Moore and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and pick Smith.
Smith is a 6-foot-4, 264-pounder. He was a playmaker for the Tigers. He made 46 plays behind the line of scrimmage over the last two seasons.
Smith has rebounded nicely from a broken bone in his leg. He missed the last three games of the season with the injury.
“The leg’s fine,” Smith said at the NFL scouting combine. “I got some x-rays. It looked good to me and the doctor.”
Smith doesn’t view himself as a designated pass rusher.
“Something a lot of people don’t know about me is that I can stop the run,” Smith said. “I can help out in that area, too.”
SECONDARY HELP: The Falcons have drafted eight defensive backs over the last three drafts.
Chattanooga defender Buster Skrine (21) breaks up a pass intended for Auburn's Darvin Adams (89) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
In 2008, they drafted cornerback Chevis Jackson (3rd round), safety Thomas DeCoud (3rd) and cornerback Wilrey Fontenot (7th).
In 2009, they drafted William Moore (2nd), Christopher Owens (3rd) and William Middleton (5th).
In 2010, they drafted Dominique Franks (5th) and Shann Schillinger (7th).
They appear to have hit on all of the safeties, while Jackson and Fontenot are out of the league. Middleton, the Marist and Furman product, plays for Jacksonville.
One cornerback to keep on the radar screen in Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Buster Skrine, of Etowah High.
“Buster Skrine from Chattanooga had a real good combine,” Kiper said. “He’s a guy in the third or fourth round who can help some team. There are a lot of corners. If you don’t get one in the first or second round, you can find a nickel back in the third or fourth round. Maybe even a guy who can be your second corner.”
POLL RESULTS: Should the Falcons select Robert Quinn if he falls to them at 27 in the draft?
* Yes, he’s a stud. (64%, 516 Votes)
* Maybe, if he passes the background check. (20%, 164 Votes)
* No, they should make a safer pick. (9%, 76 Votes)
* No, he’s a character risk. (7%, 54 Votes)
Total Voters: 810
AJC’s 2011 Mockiavelli 3.0
Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter projects the first round:
Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton (2) throws a pass as Chattanooga's La'Nard Carr (96) moves in during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
1. Carolina: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama: The Panthers take a building block for their defense. “Marcell Dareus is certainly worthy (of the top pick),” Kiper said. “He has his weight up to about 319. He’s got a ton of talent.”
2. Denver: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: He had his weight back up to 297 at Auburn’s pro day and moved well through the drills.
3. Buffalo: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: Chan Gailey gets a quarterback to groom.
4. Cincinnati: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: This could be a tough place for Green to land as their quarterback situation is
Monday February 28, 04:10 PM Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
on shaky ground.
5. Arizona: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn: Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt was real intense at Newton’s workout at Auburn’s pro day. Whisenhunt had Newton make some extra passes after his scripted workout.
6. Cleveland: Da’ Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: He was a dominant run stuffer and a productive pass rusher for the Tigers.
7. San Francisco: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas: His raw talent is too much for the 49ers to pass up.
8. Tennessee: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin: The Titans have to rebuild their defensive line.
9. Dallas: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M: He is an explosive player who had 27.5 sacks over the last two seasons. “I really like Von Miller and the great, great leverage that he has coming off the edge,” Kiper said.
10. Washington: Cameron Jordan, DE, California: The Sporting News compares him to a young Richard Seymour.
11. Houston: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU: The Texans have to improve their secondary.
12. Minnesota: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California: He’s moving up on most draft boards.
13. Detroit: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska: He is a big corner at 6-1, 205 and could be converted to safety at
LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson has decided to forgo his senior year and throw his name into the ever-growing list of players who are entering the NFL draft.[caption id="attachment_11406" align="aligncenter" width="575" caption="Patrick Peterson has had a stellar season at LSU. (AP Photo/Sean Gardner, File)"
some point in his career.
14. St. Louis: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama: The Rams get a weapon for quarterback Sam Bradford.
15. Miami: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama: The Dolphins look to improve their rushing attack.
16. Jacksonville: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue: “He gives you versatility,” Kiper said.
“You know what you’re getting with this kid. He ’s been disruptive. He can stop the run. . . He was productive while he was a marked man.”
17. New England: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado: He’s a massive anchor at 6-foot-8 ¼ and 314 pounds.
18. San Diego: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina: “He would have been the No. 1 or No. 2 pick if he was not suspended last year,” Kiper said. “Minnesota may take him at 12.”
19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College: Some consider him the top tackle in the draft.
20. Tampa Bay: Justin Houston, DE, Georgia: The Bucs have to address their defensive end position.
Gabe Carimi holding Paul Bunyan's axe after the Badgers beat Minnesota in 2009.
21. Kansas City: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin: Projects as a right tackle in the NFL. He played left tackle for the Badgers.
22. Indianapolis: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State: The Colts need to add some pop to their defense. Heyward can rush inside and outside.
23. Philadelphia: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: He is rugged with his hands in press coverage. He is a tall corner at 6-2 3/8.
24. New Orleans: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa: “Clayborn’s stock has dropped to a certain extent because of that arm situation,” Kiper said. “He’s dropped to the late first round.”
25. Seattle: Jake Locker, QB, Washington: He will get a chance to sit and watch Matt Hasselbeck for a year or two. Locker is athletic, but needs to work on his accuracy.
26. Baltimore: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami: He was a three-year starter for the Hurricanes.
27. Atlanta: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri: He has great acceleration coming off the edge and can reach his top speed in milliseconds. He also can chase down running backs from the backside.
28. New England: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple: He’s massive at 6-5, 305 and could play end in the Patriots’
Pittsburgh wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, right, makes a catch for a first down over Notre Dame cornerback Darrin Walls in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. Pittsburgh won 27-22. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
3-4.
29. Chicago: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State: He has the quickness and athletic ability to play left tackle.
30. New York Jets: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh: Braylon Edwards is a free agent and Baldwin may be a more dependable option for the Jets.
31. Pittsburgh: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas: He has great instincts and plays the ball in the air well. Also, Williams is quick to diagnose plays and comes up strong in support.
32. Green Bay: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois: Ran for 1,697 yards last season, including 330 yards against Northwestern. He also had 17 touchdowns last season.
ON THE FRINGE
Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams celebrates his touchdown during the first half against Georgia Tech in an NCAA college football game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010. (Associated Press)
Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
Akeem Ayers , LB, UCLA
Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
Titus Young, WR, Boise State
Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor
Martrez Wilson, LB, Illinois
Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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69 comments Add your comment
JOEinPHX
March 18th, 2011
2:44 pm
Mallett has raw talent? It’s going to look even more raw in the NFL.
JOEinPHX
March 18th, 2011
2:45 pm
Hey, I was first! Something’s wrong here.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 18th, 2011
2:48 pm
He’ll be fine if he has a good line.
Hoof Hearted?
March 18th, 2011
3:03 pm
If Peterson drops to #11, the Falcons need to be trading up.
Plano BirdDawg
March 18th, 2011
3:05 pm
Hey DOL, I halfway hope we don’t get this Smith. They say his leg’s ok, but every year so far with TD as GM, we get a first round pick with a rookie season marred by injuries…good guys, right attitude, great possible upside…but injuries: Baker, Jerry, even Weatherspoon. I’d love to get somebody that can actually play most of his first season.
SeenThisB4
March 18th, 2011
3:14 pm
The falcan’ts are like a huge industrial magnet for drafting busts and chronically injured first round draft choices. This guy will fit the bill perfectly.
Victor E. Rojo
March 18th, 2011
3:18 pm
Anyone who picks Dareas over Fairley is several cards short a full deck. Fairley’s numbers for his senior season are greater than Dareas’s career numbers. This reminds me of a year ago when all sorts of so-called experts were trying to explain why Gerald McCoy was a better pick than Ndamukong Suh.
Also, no way does Patrick Peterson fall out of the top 10. Too many teams need a top-notch cornerback.
Aldon Smith is a high-risk pick. He played very little college ball.
PMC
March 18th, 2011
3:22 pm
Ha, well, if he injured himself in college and he’s a substantial injury risk we know the pick then eh?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 18th, 2011
3:25 pm
Plano — Injuries to top picks have been an issue.
Rojo — Good point on Smith. He’s a redshirt sophomore.
Hoof — The needs for quarterbacks is what will push Peterson down.
Bangkapi Ajarn
March 18th, 2011
3:26 pm
Aldon Smith was deemed a good fit for a 3-4, but was disappointing when 4-3 team scouts saw him work out at his pro day.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Differing-opinions-on-Aldon-Smith-workout.html
If the draft falls as you forecast on picks 1-26, then I would go out of the box with 27 and pick Aaron Williams, and plug him into nickel. There is a hole in the roster with the release of Williams, and Owens has struggled mightily against top flight competition.
DJ Sniper
March 18th, 2011
3:47 pm
I will repeat what I’ve said before: We need to address our DE issue through free agency. It’s rare that a rookie DE makes an immediate impact. Usually, it takes 2-3 years for them to develop. The FA crop for DE’s is pretty good: Ray Edwards, Charles Johnson, Cullen Jenkins, and a few others.
At this point, my choice for a first round pick is Pitt WR Jonathan Baldwin. 6′4″, 228, 4.4 speed, 42 inch vertical. This is a guy who has that right combo of size and speed and can help the Falcons become more explosive on offense.
QB/DB
March 18th, 2011
4:23 pm
Trade 1st pick and Go after former DAWG Charles Johnson, get that dynamo WR/PR from TROY STATE with second pick, with 3rd pick get TE DJ Williams from Ark. and trade for OT Luke Zemba of Auburn, 4th take the other Williams CB from Texas or Gilchrist from Clemson. With 5th take A. Allen from GT, with 6 pick take tough small LB from Texas and 7thDent of UGA,
Sign undrafted free agents OL Clayton from GT and LB from Dawgs and Falcons needs are met!
Greg's Brezina
March 18th, 2011
4:36 pm
this mock is a joke
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 18th, 2011
4:46 pm
Greg – Well start laughing.
mountain_jim
March 18th, 2011
4:53 pm
Either get a DE in FA or have to trade up for a better one. I am hoping for FA and get an OT instead.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 18th, 2011
4:53 pm
EARLY POLL RESULTS
Who should the Falcons select with the 27th pick in the draft?
* Trade out of the first round and amass picks (42%, 25 Votes)
* Missouri DE Aldon Smith (32%, 19 Votes)
* Pittsburgh WR Jonathan Baldwin (15%, 9 Votes)
* Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod (11%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 60
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 18th, 2011
4:55 pm
DJ – I would likely concur if we knew more about the free agency landscape. Because of the lockout, free agency does not figure into my thinking for the mock draft.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 18th, 2011
5:02 pm
Bangkapi – You’ve got to remember that Coach Smith thinks Owens will be fine at nickel. “Falcons’ Mike Smith believes young defense will improve” http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/q-a-falcons-mike-858548.html
DJ Sniper
March 18th, 2011
5:04 pm
DOL, do you know how many picks we have this year, and in what rounds we have them?
explosion
March 18th, 2011
5:14 pm
what are the chances of that WR from troy being there when we pick in the second round? I hear his stock is sky rocketing and he could be gone in the middle of the second round instead of late second or 3rd like I hoped.
waynester
March 18th, 2011
5:23 pm
DLed
I’m glad to see I’m not alone in hoping we make a trade down or at least an effort to secure another high 2nd round pick through trade.
BA
Aaron Williams just doesn’t give us the speed. His best at the combine was over 4.5, which would be ok if he’s only expected to be a nickel but do you use a 1st on a NB?
Ken Strickland
March 18th, 2011
6:16 pm
How can anyone expect to accurately predict whether the Falcons will draft a DE without knowing the teams intention on resolving our OL situation? If Pro Bowl RT TClabo isn’t resigned, will the team be comfortable replacing him with GReynolds?
If RG HDahl isn’t resigned, does our coaching staff feel comfortable with replacing him with either JHarley, MJohnson or JValdez? Does the coaching staff have enough confidence in our young backups to allow 2 of our FA OLinemen to allow 2 linemen go, or maybe all 3?
We are an offensively dominant team that relies heavily on our rushing OFF, ball control, and winning the time of possession war. We can’t accomplish that without addressing our OL issues 1st and foremost. And the idea of drafting a DE at #27, without knowing how we’re going to resolve our OL situation, isn’t the answer to resolving what could very easily be our most pressing problem.
waynester
March 18th, 2011
6:26 pm
Ken S
I’m much more comfortable taking an OLT at #27, especially if one of the better ones fall. Some recent mocks show us taking the big DT from Baylor and I’d be comfortable with that, too. Anything that moves our line play toward dominance is alright by me….
MaxxFalcon
March 18th, 2011
7:03 pm
I’d rather take Aaron Williams and go for a Pass rusher in the 2nd round or through Free Agency, I’m just not sold on Aldon smith
No clue
March 18th, 2011
7:12 pm
This is exactly what we need. Another injury prone player from Missouri.
Kiper Review Department
March 18th, 2011
8:56 pm
Mel Kiper Jr. is all over the place.
Remember last year when he said Jimmy Clausen was great and NFL ready
Mock Draft 3.0: Falcons select DE Aldon Smith | Atlanta Falcons | Orlando
March 18th, 2011
9:33 pm
[...] link: Mock Draft 3.0: Falcons select DE Aldon Smith | Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged aldon, aldon-smith, california, cameron, [...]
Kane337
March 18th, 2011
11:00 pm
Please no more Missouri defensive players. Don’t we have enough already? When has Missouri ever had a dominating defense? Just saying.
Ken Strickland
March 18th, 2011
11:41 pm
It’s amazing how quickly some of you are willing to label someone as being injury prone. Injuries are a part of the gm, and ANYONE can suffer an injury. I remember when fans were all up in the air about us trading for DE JAbraham, because they said he was injury prone, and he turned out to be our most consistent and producticwe DLineman.
WAYNESTER-After using 1st and 2nd rds picks the last 2yrs on DT’s, I doubt very seriously if we’ll use a 1st rd pick to draft another one. With DT’s TLewis, VWalker, JBabineaux, CPeters, PJerry and TJohnson, we’re in excellent shape at that position.
KANE337-We wouldn’t be drafting Missouri’s entire DEF, just one of their best DEF players. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE.
Rashod
March 18th, 2011
11:49 pm
Jimmy Smith
AIN'T GONNA BE NO SEASON!!!!
March 18th, 2011
11:51 pm
WHAT IS THE OBSESSION,T.D.,WITH THESE MIZZU PLAYERS????!!!!!!!!!
Paddy O
March 19th, 2011
1:07 am
Not interested. Injured already? With our distinct draft & PUP record? Notta chance. Prefer, in this mock, either Paea or Pouncey, then go Jernigan & Murray in rounds 2 & 3.
Paddy O
March 19th, 2011
1:09 am
Plus, I still hope either Kerrigan, Houston or Castonza drops to us at 27; although I’d also like to draft Hankerson.
Sid
March 19th, 2011
5:40 am
I dunno Darrell, I still think Carolina has got to go QB right out of the gate. If they don’t there are so many deals they could work with that top pick.
dirtyo11
March 19th, 2011
5:44 am
WOW this mock draft is crazy…ain’t no way Patrick Petterson get passed up by all those teams. Cowboys are talking bout getting rid of Newman and trading up to get Peterson, but this Mock draft have them passing up on him.
Gabbert to Buffalo, why in every draft they always try to find a way to put QBs in the top 5 pick. Gailey said they have their QB, so why would they draft Gabbert.
Falcons need a few FAs to make it to the big show, draft picks are cool but they are not proven like veteran FAs
VOL
March 19th, 2011
6:48 am
I’m old enought ot remember when the draft was all abuzz about Rod Woodson’s combine workout. Nobody thought he’d last til #10 where the Steelers got him and the rest is history. Certainly not saying Peterson is Rod Woodson but the kid looks the part. Smith looks like a high risk high reward kinda of pick for the Falcons. If they ever plan to take the next step they some better lineman and more depth at those positions. Both on OL and DL.
DJ Dog
March 19th, 2011
8:39 am
DLed, if local talent Cameron Heywood (via Whitefield Academy, then Peachtree Ridge, currently the Ohio State Univ.) is still available when we pick, do you think that we will select him to upgrade our D-Line?
Andy
March 19th, 2011
9:42 am
There is no mock draft I take less seriously than DOLs.
Falcons relax...
March 19th, 2011
9:54 am
THANK YOU D-LED! THANK YOU!!! “One cornerback to keep on the radar screen in Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Buster Skrine, of Etowah High.” I’ve been waiting for someon to mention that guy. This is the reason I talk about how I wouldn’t be surprised if grimes isn’t in our future LONG TERM. Grimes was a project to see if Smitty and TD could develop a CB in our scheme and it worked. Grimes was undrafted. This guy skrine ran a 4.2, had a vert of like 37 inches, and benched like 13 reps. He doesn’t have a lot of experience but NEITHER DID GRIMES.
Which makes me think that what if we got this guy and groomed him like Grimes, HE WILL BE 2X AS GRIMES. D-Led, you think we could actually get this guy? Even though it would be around the 3rd or 4th. Basically the question is is the guy blowing up OR is he still under the radar so we could snatch him with no problems?
Spoon
March 19th, 2011
10:18 am
Hi! I’m Sean Weatherspoon, and I approve this selection!
Paid for by friends of Missouri Athletics.
Wilmo'
March 19th, 2011
10:23 am
Me too..
Ziggy
March 19th, 2011
10:24 am
How’s that Jerry pick lookin’..?
Paddy
March 19th, 2011
10:46 am
Mel Kiper Review……you are right. Most folks stopped listening to his comments a couple years ago. Many analists have gone right past him on the consistency level. MK is big hat no cattle!
Chattanooga Chuck
March 19th, 2011
11:25 am
Would the Falcons consider Clayborn if he was available? Is Allen Bailey still a possibility at some point?
FalcFans.com » 2011 Mock Muncher – Updated 3/19
March 19th, 2011
11:35 am
[...] – Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri 3.17 – Draft Empire: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky 3.15 – Draft [...]
gcs
March 19th, 2011
11:35 am
I cannot vote in the poll because those are all awful choices.
Unless by some miracle AJ Green or Julio Jones make it to #27, the Falcons need to go defense, defense, defense.
I don’t know if I am too excited with another Missouri letdown though.
.
waynelaster
March 19th, 2011
11:59 am
OLB who can make plays is a need of the Falcons. I hope we get Houston, or a Guard, I recommend Pouncey.
waynester
March 19th, 2011
1:55 pm
relax
Grimes played for Amsterdam when they won NFL Europe championship and always had a winning attitude. Skrine’s speed was certainly on big-time display at the workouts and TD loves small school guys. If we are targeting Skrine it’s been decided months back, based solely on his entire body of work, not the combine. I love that TD and our scouts are diligent and go into depth in their information-gathering. Other than the rookie-year injuries we’ve suffered, there haven’t been any bad surprises in the media,the courts or the locker room with our young guys and most have looked good when they’ve made it onto the field….
chickenman
March 19th, 2011
3:54 pm
i dont like this position… we dont need anymore PROJECT players on the dline…. Go get a freaking play maker so matt ryan will have someone to throw to other than roddy white ( league high in receptions means he is targeted to often)… Baldwin is a legit wideout at 6′5 with deep threat speed… he is what jenkins was suppose to be
SeminoleWarrior
March 19th, 2011
4:20 pm
Love the pic DO Led!!
I’m rolling with the Smith wagon and hope to be just as successful as I was with the Spoon Express last season on draft day.
bubb
March 19th, 2011
4:58 pm
defenetly need d cant win with no d greenbay killed us in the playoffs need some 1 else to rush passer got some nice peices and whats up with mike jenks is he ever going to put up numbers dont get me wrong he makes a tuff catch every now and then roddy cant do it by his self
chris
March 19th, 2011
5:04 pm
FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jimmy Crack
March 19th, 2011
5:10 pm
DOL, Alden Smith is my dream pick too. Dream is probably right. The way everyone is talking about DEs and their absolute value at shortening an opposing QB’s pocket time, it seems there may be as few as 6 and as many as 10 DEs picked before we get our pick. Bowers and Fairley should go top 8 followed quickly by Quinn, Watts, Smith, Jordan, Kerrigan, Wilkerson, Clayborn, and Houston.
With those projections we would be lucky to see Houston at #27.
Einsteindawg
March 19th, 2011
5:48 pm
Thanks D-Led! How many of these defensive draft blunders do we make before we get one right? I’m thinking free agency (like Abe) might be a better route…use our pick for a center.
Delbert D.
March 19th, 2011
6:29 pm
“can reach his top speed in milliseconds”
He would pass out from the G-forces.
Jimmy Crack
March 19th, 2011
7:29 pm
Lol. He might catch fire.
Coach Cheesedip
March 19th, 2011
8:06 pm
The Falcons are terrible in the draft! Matt Ryan is the only good choice in decades!!
Mave
March 19th, 2011
11:28 pm
Not sure if TD would draft a Junior or a player coming off injury in the 1st round (after Peria Jerry). I think we go with another highly rated DE. Also, Chevis Jackson isn’t out of the league. He is with the Broncos.
Sunshine Falcon
March 20th, 2011
9:22 am
This kid seems to have a great motor and a great speed. What is his work ethic like?
I am still mad because we did not pick Clay Matthews, when we had the chance. I was screaming at the tv when they selected Jerry, instead. We need a defensive end who can get after the passer along with Abe.
Draft back up O lineman and recievers in the later rounds.It would be great if the Purdue kid would fall, to us, but he will not last until #27.
hangman
March 20th, 2011
4:31 pm
does Bobby Patrino (?) have a direct line to Smith’s unlisted number? I never liked the guy so I sure didn’t take the time to learn how to spell his frigging name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Falcons relax...
March 20th, 2011
10:23 pm
@ waynester I agree, its totally working with the “blue collar” picks. Some get upset when we pass over a guy who has the talents but has a background that isn’t clean and then goes to another team. I don’t because I understand the way, these guys are about to be paid millions, have the media around them non stop, and plus at a young age. YOU WANT A GUY WHO CAN HANDLE ALL THAT. Not to mention we have a dictator commissioner who suspends you faster than the wind blows. That “talent” guy is canceled out when he can’t play on sunday due to a DUI, player violation, raping girls, fighting dogs, etc. ITs the patriot way and I totally understand why TD goes that way. No one wants a headache, you want a guy who will be a HEADACHE FOR OTHERS ON THE FIELD. I hope we get that Skrine guy though. If he would develop like grimes man-o man would that guy become a beast.
Big Ray
March 21st, 2011
2:08 am
What the heck…why not?
Now about getting a receiver….
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 21st, 2011
10:04 am
EARLY POLL RESULTS: Who should the Falcons select with the 27th pick in the draft?
* Trade out of the first round and amass picks (39%, 205 Votes)
* Missouri DE Aldon Smith (38%, 199 Votes)
* Pittsburgh WR Jonathan Baldwin (14%, 71 Votes)
* Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod (9%, 47 Votes)
Total Voters: 522
Die Hard Falcon
March 21st, 2011
11:04 am
I don’t know why everyone is hating on the Mizzou D players. William Moore had an awesome season this year and assuming the injury bug is gone for him, I think it’s a very solid pick, if he wasn’t injured his senior year, he was a solid 1st rounder, we got him in the late 2nd round, quality pick. Spoon in my opinion, will also be quality, he had a small nagging injury and we had Nicholas to plug in, so that’s why they gave him plenty of time, I don’t believe he’s necessarily injury-prone. I personally, would like to see us grab Torrey Smith or Baldwin, but if a top flight DE is there and TD believes he’s it, I won’t fuss over it. I also would like to say that Peterson will not make it to #11 and Mallett will NOT be in the top 10. I think Newton will be in Buffalo (IF they go QB) and Gabbert is either in Carolina or Arizona. Arizona won’t take a QB if Gabbert is gone (at least not in the 1st), they will take Von Miller if Gabbert is gone and Miller is not. I hope the Cowgirls don’t get Miller, b/c Ware and Miller would be scary, just glad we wouldn’t see it til the playoffs this year. I think it would be worthwhile for the Falcons to see about trading w/ Detroit to jump ahead of the Rams and take Julio Jones, as long as we don’t have to give up too much. Otherwise, trading into the top of the 2nd and getting an extra 3rd would be a good idea, b/c we’d still see one of the guys we want at the top of the 2nd, I guarantee it. Sorry there’s always so many harsh critics D-LED, I am just giving my opinion, but I respect yours.
Die Hard Falcon
March 21st, 2011
11:06 am
Just to clarify, when I say trading to get into the top of the 2nd, I mean trading out of our #27 and basically trading down to get extra picks, just want to make that clear
Olik
March 21st, 2011
4:26 pm
We want to add a starting OT, DE and WR, while also getting an RB, TE and OLB to groom over a year or two. No Free Agency right now has gotta be complicating every team’s draft boards, because every other year we’d fill a couple of those gaps with free agent adds/resignings.
The RB, TE, and OLB positions usually offer high-caliber picks in mid- to later rounds. To get starters at OT, DE, and WR, I’d love another pick in round 2 or early round 3.
If I can’t trade for another pick, then I definitely use round 1 for DE or OT because there’ll be good WR’s late in round 2 or 3. Then it’s a balancing act based on (1) who falls to us at #27 and (2) how TD rates the 2nd/3rd round WRs, OTs, DEs. So, if Derrick Sherrod and Adrian Clayborn are both available at 27, then my pick depends on whether I like Jabaal Sheard in round 2 better/worse than Joe Barksdale (or some other OT), and whether I can wait to round 3 to pick up a WR (e.g. Titus Young in round 2 or Jerrel Jernigan in round 3).
Which is better: Adrian Clayborn, Titus Young and Joe Barksdale for my first three picks? or Derrek Sherrod, Jabaal Sheard, and Jerrel Jernigan?
Yourpoliticalanimal
March 21st, 2011
6:38 pm
Look at the Packer debacle at the Georgia Dome . . . that answers any questions about which direction the Falcons should go . . . talk about getting BSlapped!!! . . .
Sick & TIred Of Being Sick & Tired
March 21st, 2011
7:33 pm
DLED – Can you provide the total number of picks the Falcons will have in this year’s draft and the number in each specific round? THANKS!!!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
March 21st, 2011
9:08 pm
Sick & TIred Of Being Sick & Tired — The league and the team have not released the official draft order. As soon as it’s released, I will post the full draft order. I was told that we’d get it this week. Stop being so Sick and Tired!