Mock draft 5.0: Falcons select Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph
Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph could be the heir-apparent to Tony Gonzalez at Tight End for the Falcons. (Associated Press)
BIRDLAND – Tony Gonzalez is not going to play forever.
This offseason he let the team know that he plans to return for the final year of his contract.
Loading ...Either way, the Falcons have to do something. They have to plan for the future. They have to get a tight end on board and they’ve been heavily scouting the position this offseason.
With the 27th pick, the Falcons will have a chance to address their needs at defensive end, tight end, cornerback and wide receiver.
But when Miami cornerback Brandon Harris is selected 26th by Baltimore, the Falcons will shift over to offense.
They could go with Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward or Georgia defensive end Justin Houston. But they know Miami defensive end Allen Bailey will still be available when they pick in the second around.
However, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll pick a wide receiver in the first round because there will be talented receivers in the second, third and fourth rounds. East Carolina wide receiver Dwayne Harris could be the team’s third round target.
Under this scenario, the Falcons will pull Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph’s name off their draft board in the first round.
Rudolph, who’s 6-foot-6 1/8 and 259 pounds, is widely considered the top tight end in the draft.
Some in Ohio want to check his decision-making for selecting Notre Dame over Ohio State. But he’s a Cincinnati kid and the Queen City is a longtime hotbed for Notre Dame, going back to the Gerry Faust days.
Now, Rudolph does have some health issues with his right hamstring. The Falcons will have that checked out.
Some other issues are starting to take shape as the draft gets closer.
Clemson defensive Da’Quan Bowers is slipping on most boards. He’ll likely fall out of the top 10 because teams are mixed on if he needs knee surgery. He’s dropping, but not far enough to get into the Falcons’ striking range.
LAST POLL RESULTS: Should the Falcons take Cameron Heyward if he slips to the 27th pick in the draft?
- Yes, Cam is a stud (47%, 489 Votes)
- Maybe, if he’s a scheme fit (24%, 250 Votes)
- Trade out of the first round and amass picks (19%, 195 Votes)
- No, they should pick offense. (10%, 104 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,038
PROJECTED 2011 ATLANTA FALCONS DRAFT PICKS
Miami linebacker Marcus Robinson (56) and defensive lineman Allen Bailey (57) bring down Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon in the second half. (By J. Pat Carter -- Associated Press)
First Round: 27 – Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
Second Round: 59 – Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
Third Round: 91 – Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina
Fourth Round: 124 – Akeem Dent, LB, Georgia
Fifth Round: 158 – Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville
Sixth Round: 192 – Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware
Seventh Round: 209 – Ricardo Lockette, WR, Fort Valley State. 228 – D.J. Smith, LB, Appalachian State. 229 – Byron Maxwell, CB, Clemson.
AJC’s 2011 Mockiavelli 5.0
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: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn. The Panthers arrive at the conclusion that Jimmy Clausen is not their future franchise quarterback.
2. Denver: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama. He’s a prototype defensive tackle. He should anchor the interior of the Broncos’ defense for years to come.
3. Buffalo: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M. After whiffing on Aaron Maybin with the 11th pick in 2009, Chan Gailey gets a legitimate defender. They will be tempted to go with Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, but will elect to get one of the developmental quarterbacks in the second round.
4. Cincinnati: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia. They can put and end to the T.O. and Chad Johnson madness. Perhaps this pick will be enough to encourage Carson Palmer out of selling his house.
5. Arizona: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri. Coach Ken Whisenhunt gets him a quarterback for an early Christmas present.
- Alabama’s Julio Jones (8) makes a catch for a touchdown as Georgia’s Bryan Evans defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
6. Cleveland: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. The Browns have to surround quarterback Colt McCoy with some weapons.
7. San Francisco: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU. He could take over as the 49ers’ press cornerback.
8. Tennessee: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. Friend of the blog Tracy Rocker is Tennessee’s new defensive line coach. He coached Fairley at Auburn.
9. Dallas: Tyron Smith, T, Southern California. I think this is a reach for the Cowboys, by my folks in Dallas say this is how the Cowboys are leaning. He would help a line that must improve.
10. Washington: Cam Jordan, DE, California. Steve Jordan, his father, was a six-time Pro Bowler at tight end for the Vikings. He benefits from Bowers slipping.
11. Houston: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska. The Texans have to do something with their secondary.
12. Minnesota: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas: The Vikings have to make a move at quarterback and they decide to roll
- Arkansas’ Ryan Mallet could be headed to the Minnesota Vikings. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
the dice on Mallett’s big arm. Former Falcons quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave might be the perfect person to handle this free spirit.
13. Detroit: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson. The Lions decide to get some value. Once considered the top pick in the draft, Bowers’ stock is sliding because of a knee injury and poor Pro Day performance.
14. St. Louis: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri. Smith could develop into a force in head coach Steve Spagnuolo’s system.
15. Miami: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama: The Dolphins look to improve their rushing attack. Ricky Williams isn’t getting any younger and Ronnie Brown will need some help.
- FILE – This Nov. 7, 2009, file photo shows Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis (9) being sacked by North Carolina’s Robert Quinn (42), left, and Zach Brown (47) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., The NCAA declared defensive end Robert Quinn permanently ineligible, the team said Monday, Oct. 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
16. Jacksonville: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina. The Jaguars picked up Tyson Aluau last season and get a bookend for their 4-3 defense.
17. New England: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College. The Patriots elect to get some protection for Tom Brady, who’s not getting any younger.
18. San Diego: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin. The former Badger who spent time in the programs at Western Michigan and Minnesota gets the best break in the draft. He gets to start his career in sunny San Diego after bumping around the upper Midwest and its bitter winters for the last few years.
19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado. The Giants elect to bring in some offensive line help.
20. Tampa Bay: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue. The Bucs drafted defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price last season. This year they try to get some help at defensive end.
21. Kansas City: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin. Projects as a right tackle in the NFL. He played left tackle for the Badgers. He claimed at the combine that he was the best tackle in the draft.
- Gabe Carimi holding Paul Bunyan’s axe after the Badgers beat Minnesota in 2009.
22. Indianapolis: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois. The Colts elect to get a disruptive force for the middle of their defense. He was a wrestler in high school.
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. He has some character issues, but the Eagles believe he could flourish in the right environment.
24. New Orleans: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa. “Clayborn’s stock has dropped to a certain extent because of that arm situation,” ESPN draft analyst 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.
- Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech. (Associated Press)
26. Baltimore: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami. He was a three-year starter for the Hurricanes. The Falcons held a private workout for him in Miami.
27. Atlanta: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame. The Falcons elect to get Matt Ryan some help for the future. If the lockout ends and Tony Gonzalez comes back, then Rudolph can learn under the future hall of famer.
28. New England: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State. He’s a perfect scheme-fit for the Patriots 3-4.
29. Chicago: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State. The Bears look to improve their offensive line play with this pick. Sherrod is athletic and could anchor the left side for the next decade.
30. New York Jets: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia. The Jets are counting on Houston developing into a big-play artist.
31. Pittsburgh: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida. The twins get reunited in the Steel City.
32. Green Bay: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech. He’s a hard-charging runner, who’ll fit in the offense nicely.
ON THE FRINGE
- 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)
Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona
Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
Akeem Ayers , LB, UCLA
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor
Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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150 comments Add your comment
FEAR THE TALON
April 15th, 2011
5:46 am
#1!!!
FEAR THE TALON
April 15th, 2011
5:50 am
WE DON’T NEED NO STINKIN’ OPEN AIR STADIUM,ARTHUR!!! WE NEED TO JUST PLAY BALL!!!!
Not Rudolph!
April 15th, 2011
6:29 am
Arthur Blank will be on the field more than this guy. He misses about half of every season with an injury.
robert
April 15th, 2011
6:40 am
dont care who we pick as long as its a need and they can contribute right away
bat1994
April 15th, 2011
6:47 am
Let’s not do with Tony Gonzalez what the Packers did with Favre.
Paddy
April 15th, 2011
7:02 am
OK bye me if we pick a tight end.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 15th, 2011
7:34 am
THE EARLY POLL RETURNS: Should the Falcons take Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph?
* Yes, Rudolph is a stud (42%, 10 Votes)
* No, they should take Cam Heyward (29%, 7 Votes)
* No, they should take Justin Houston (25%, 6 Votes)
* No, they should take Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith (4%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 24
suwaneefalcon
April 15th, 2011
7:36 am
Don’t like this pick in the 1st round D. We need a DE who can rush the QB and there are to many talented ones in the 1st round. Draft a TE in the 2nd or 3rd round.
suwaneefalcon
April 15th, 2011
7:38 am
Better recheck those numbers D. Has tightened up a wee bit.
Jimmy Jam
April 15th, 2011
7:41 am
DOL, please send this note to the owners…
To All NFL Owners:
Please keep the players Locked Out until pre season is over so FANS do not have to pay the owners full price to see practice games. In fact, LOCK the door and throw away the key until September.
RomeDawg
April 15th, 2011
7:46 am
Am I the only one who like Abraham, Anderson, Sidbury and Bierman as a set of defensive ends? I think Bierman could be on the brink of 10 sacks a year and Sidbury always looks good when he gets playing time. I know Anderson plays inside more now but he’s not half bad. He was just picked to highly in the draft. Rudolph has STAR written all over him. Ryan Williams, the running back from Virginia Tech, will be one of the premier players from this draft. He’s the real deal!
BigDawg
April 15th, 2011
7:46 am
With the defense still average at best why waste a pick on a TE? Get the defense up to at least the top 10 in the league before wasting offensive picks. Defense wins in the playoffs.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 15th, 2011
7:48 am
suwaneefalcon — All of the pass rushers are gone. Heyward’s more of a hold the point guy and Houston blows hot and cold. You can get a hot and cold DE in the second round. His name is Allen Bailey.
suwaneefalcon
April 15th, 2011
7:54 am
Good argument D but, I still would like the best defensive player available in the 1st round. That being said, you make a strong argument for Rudolph. I guess we will find out soon enough.
Mikefalcon63
April 15th, 2011
8:10 am
I say we go DE with that first pick if there are still 1st round ends on the board. Call me a homer, but I think Justin Houston could be a good pick here and is in the same mold as Abe.
1. Justin Houston
2. Randall Cobb (WR, UK) or Jerrel Jernigan (WR, Troy)
3. Virgil Green (TE, Nev)
4. Derrick Locke (RB, UK)
5. KJ Wright (LB, Miss St)
6. Jerrial King (OT, SC)
7a. Shaun Chapas (Fb, UGA)
7b. Taylor Potts (QB, Tex Tech)
7c. Joe Morgan (WR, Walsh)
The real GSU is in Statesboro
April 15th, 2011
8:11 am
Prince Amukamara will be a great pick for the Huston “Titans” at #11..just bustin your chops D haha
Aquigzz
April 15th, 2011
8:17 am
pass on rudolph, this virgil green guy from nevada looks like a stud and we can get him in the 3rd/4th round. Houston, Titus Young, Virgil Green thats how the first three should look.
Atticus
April 15th, 2011
8:24 am
You don’t draft backups in the first round when you are gunning for the SB. You draft a playmaker at either LB, DE or CB. WR is a stretch but he better be ready to mae an impact now. I like Allen Bailey, or Ryan Williams or Demarco Murray (sp?) and Randall Cobb later.
Andy
April 15th, 2011
8:49 am
Sorry dude, this could be a possibility, but after you had Robert Quinn falling to #27, I can’t take you seriously anymore.
You can’t put all your chips in one basket with Allen Bailey. Sure, he may be there in the second round, but what if he’s not? Our team’s largest need is DE and it’s the deepest DE draft in recent memory. I think we’d mess up by not taking the best one off the board at 27.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 15th, 2011
8:52 am
The real GSU is in Statesboro — I moved the Titans back to Houston. Should have called them the Oilers and gave them Earl Campbell.
Atticus – Good points!
Andy — Thanks for checking in.
Mocking your Mock
April 15th, 2011
8:57 am
What have Notre Dame players done in the NFL in the past 10 years… Nothing! Defense, Defense, Defense. I don’t care what position, to be honest. We need playmakers on Defense. Say what you will about Houston, but he was never “Cold” on 3rd Down. The Falcons are “hot” on 1st and 2nd downs and nipple-piercing Cold on 3rd down last year. Get a pass rusher or a damn good corner, period. (I think TD will trade out of the first round.)
The Real Falcon
April 15th, 2011
9:02 am
No and none of the others above!
The Real Falcon
April 15th, 2011
9:03 am
The only real thing about a GSU in Statesboro is the drinking.
GO PANTHERS!!
Outside Observer
April 15th, 2011
9:04 am
Bailey might not be the only solid DE on the board for our second round pick. Sam Acho will likely be there as well. Senior, captain, academic-heisman, top producer for their defense. He is a Falcon if there ever was one.
jarvis
April 15th, 2011
9:07 am
GSU smack talk.
Van Brocklin
April 15th, 2011
9:10 am
Tight End Junior Miller made an impact for the Falcons in 1980,
then faded away.
Justin Houston is way over-rated.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 15th, 2011
9:19 am
Mocking your Mock — I think my buddy Derrick Mayes was the last Notre Dame stud, until they got fed up with him in Green Bay. That’s back in the 90s somewhere.
KD
April 15th, 2011
9:26 am
There is now way the Falcons draft ends up like that D! That’s waaayyyyy too many GA guys for the birds to pick in one draft. Don’t get me wrong, I like the way you have it going but I can’t believe it will actually happen.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 15th, 2011
9:33 am
KD — I feel you on that. But TD told me yesterday that GA local day was the best since he’s been here. I’m thinking that he’s going to take some of the homegrown talent.
Marcus
April 15th, 2011
9:38 am
DOL,
If that happens ………. it would seem that WE would be the team that has one of those annual NFL head-scratchers …K. Rudolph fits a future (near-term) need …….. but it ain’t the one to take us to the next level or address our most pressing need to get us deeper in the playoffs. Probably up for raging debate by fans and experts if it happens ….
Mocking your Mock
April 15th, 2011
9:41 am
DOL
It was so long ago, that I don’t even remember him!
Riddle me this… I know teams cannot trade players until the brat fight is over, but can they swap draft picks and/or drafted players since they are not under contract yet?
I think there is going to be alot of movement in the first 4 rounds. Write that down.
Mocking your Mock
April 15th, 2011
9:43 am
I can’t remember the back end of the first round was so questionable. This leads me to believe that the 2nd and 3rd round is full of sleepers.
Andy
April 15th, 2011
9:46 am
Sorry if I was too harsh, but it appears to me that what you WANT to happen has biased some of your mocks. Perhaps I’m wrong.
With all of the mid-round tight ends that made an impact last year (Moeaki, Hernandez, Gronkowski, Hoomanawanui, Quarless), I think we can hold off for a solid guy like Virgil Green, especially since we’re not looking for a rookie to start righty away. Brooks Reed could be another guy who enters the DE conversation. If I’m not mistaken, Todd McShay has us taking him in his latest mock.
Sid
April 15th, 2011
9:46 am
I’m pretty sure Buffalo takes a QB Darrell.
Dave
April 15th, 2011
9:49 am
In your mock you have Pouncey available I don’t see that happening, but if he was we have an old center and two guards that may or may not be resigned. It would seem to me Pouncey who could help if we lose these players he could be picked just based on value to play multiple positions. I would be ok with Rudolf you can’t fix everything in one year and getting a TE who would make us like the Patriots this year in that we could use multiple TEs on most downs which would help make our running game better when we ran the ball. We have a number of needs we need to get a premium player at a position of need and Rudolf would be one of the players you would have to look at.
PMC
April 15th, 2011
9:50 am
Isn’t Rudolph pretty slow for a 1st round pick? I’m not sure a TE is warrented in this draft, weak year for TE’s
No clue
April 15th, 2011
9:53 am
TD will screw it up as usual.
Go Falcons
April 15th, 2011
10:20 am
Justin Tuck is pretty good. He’s a Domer. Also they have produced good tight ends in Anthony Fasano and John Carlson, both starters in the NFL. Rudolphs measurables are better than both.
Rikus
April 15th, 2011
10:23 am
Guys I would rather see the Falcons pick, that were still available in your mock:
Justin Houston
Brooks Reed
Torrey Smith
Jonathan Baldwin
Waiting on a guy like Virgil Green seems like a much better value than a 1st round TE.
enz
April 15th, 2011
10:29 am
Rudolph is the next Jerious Norwood…Never healthy…
Get the best DE available…
Joe Tess Fish House
April 15th, 2011
10:34 am
Flacons need help on defence.
joe
April 15th, 2011
10:39 am
Cam Heyward is the second coming of Jamal Anderson ( nice guy, limited talent) if someone takes him in the first round they haven’t done their homework…..
james
April 15th, 2011
10:42 am
Not sure about drafting a tight end when there are some holes to fill on defense. What’s the story with Michael Palmer. I thought he played well enough to be considered a future starting TE?
The Faithful
April 15th, 2011
11:02 am
I think we will go defense. That is/was the most glaring weakness that we had.
Later rounds we can add some offensive help such as Virgil and a wide receiver to develop.
With some luck pick up a speed guy that can catch the ball out of the back field.
The team is almost there and these picks will be ones that push us over the top or make us a flop.
Birdman
April 15th, 2011
11:06 am
DTroff and crew believe we are on the verge of breaking through, thus our 1st rounder will be a player that will project to start from day 1 and make an impact. Yes Tony G is at the end, but as long as he is healthy, nobody is taking snaps away from him, nobody.
So we may draft a TE, but not before round 3. My prediction, like many others believe, is he trades back into the top of the 2nd and selects the best DE left, maybe Allen Bailey. Then with an extra number 2 he takes an impact WR or RB. Rounds 3 or 4 will include an OT for sure.
gcs
April 15th, 2011
11:12 am
Did you people NOT see the playoff game??? The Falcons need defense.
UGADAWG
April 15th, 2011
11:15 am
Houston is getting a bad name for being hot and cold. He is not an OLB. He is a beast at DE. He would be a great pick for the Falcons and would help our DL tremendously
Birdman
April 15th, 2011
11:16 am
From the GB game its clear we need to learn how to tackle the qb. We were in the backfield all night, running like kamikazes that meant a sidestep or simply ducking left that player out of position. Which meant Rodgers had all day to throw and he was on top of his game. So the D, while needy for sure, is not as bad as we saw. Still, we will draft defense first 100%, not a future starting TE in the first, not going to happen. Time is now to win. get an impact defensive player if at all possible.
Mazzetti's Toe
April 15th, 2011
11:45 am
Beware of ND tight ends. Randy Cross tells a funny story about the year the 49er’s drafted Ken McAfee of ND with their 1st pick. During workouts, all the OL beat him in the 40. It became their big joke. McAfee was a huge bust.
Mudcat
April 15th, 2011
11:59 am
We need to stop using our 1st round picks on guys who end up spending so much time on the IR. Please!
snoopy
April 15th, 2011
12:02 pm
DOL is FOS… The Birds will NEED M Pouncy (if he’s still on the board)…
Like I have stated earlier in mock’s 1 – 5, these guys will have 12 – 15 mock drafts & if they hit on a player, they’ll proudly thump their chest that “I had him slated in that slot”.. When actually they “might” have but it’s in only one of the 12 – 15 mock draft’s…
Falcons NEED DL or OL at the top o their draft… Not a TE…
Mock draft 5.0: Falcons select Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph … | Orlando
April 15th, 2011
12:09 pm
[...] the original post: Mock draft 5.0: Falcons select Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph … This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged falcons, nicely–, not-going, notre-dame, [...]
Dawgustus
April 15th, 2011
12:25 pm
Atlanta should trade down with Buffalo, getting Buffalo’s 2nd and 3rd round picks. Buffalo ensures it gets its QB and Rudolph will still be there for the Falcons 8 picks later, with an early 3rd round bonus pick.
nash
April 15th, 2011
12:27 pm
pretty good board but there are no o line men on it come on. COME ON
Matt
April 15th, 2011
12:33 pm
Sometimes I wonder if the AJC sports section does any research or if they just choose a name out of a hat. Kyle Randolph is not a first round selection and there will be plenty of other players that are better and fit the teams needs more.
PMC
April 15th, 2011
12:52 pm
Snoopy, they can’t take an offensive guard in the first round not when they can’t rush the passer. Mike Pouncey is a guard. He’ll be a really good guard, but it doesn’t warrant a first round pick. If they go offensive line that early, it will be left tackle.
If they want a center they can go with either Ben Gordon from FSU or Stephan Weisnewski from Penn State.
PMC
April 15th, 2011
12:54 pm
It’s kind of amazing with the amount of dire needs this team has….they are picking at 27. Testament to the coaching staff.
PMC
April 15th, 2011
12:55 pm
Not that Mike Pouncey isn’t a first round talent for a team that can afford to take a guard (IE a team that can already rush the passer) I just don’t think Atlanta can afford it.
Bill Lewis
April 15th, 2011
12:58 pm
Not drafting Georgia players has hurt the Falcons with the fan base! Hines Ward and a slew of others would have put fans in the seats regardless of records!
coleski
April 15th, 2011
1:01 pm
How about one of the tight ends with a basketball background? Did’nt Gonzales have a basketball
experience? So that would seem to be a consideration when selecting a tight end. Jordan Cameron
and Julius Thomas have basketball backgrounds. Also I saw Schuylar Oordt in a playoff game and
he made several good catches. I’m with alot of the guys that want defense oin the early rounds.
UGAJD
April 15th, 2011
1:02 pm
Can’t imagine the Falcons picking a TE in the 1st round. We have other positions of IMMEDIATE need. Almost every mock draft I’ve seen has ATL picking someone different in the first. The fact is, at this point, no one knows who the Falcons will pick, not even the Falcons, and all of these analysts are simply writing fiction.
ctfalconsfan
April 15th, 2011
1:44 pm
UGAJD agree completely. WE HAVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS and TE isn’t one of them!!
Hey DOL when is the regular season schedule coming out?
ctfalconsfan
April 15th, 2011
1:49 pm
Birdman wrote:
From the GB game its clear we need to learn how to tackle the qb. We were in the backfield all night, running like kamikazes that meant a sidestep or simply ducking left that player out of position. Which meant Rodgers had all day to throw and he was on top of his game. So the D, while needy for sure, is not as bad as we saw.
———————————-
Birdman I would state that BVG had the right defensive play called in both the GB and home aints games but our safeties could make the plays. So I would conclude that our talent at the safety position needs to be revamped. Would a Troy Polumalu (sp??) miss all those QB sacks?
I dont’t blame BVG you have to blame TD for night having play makers out there…
explosion
April 15th, 2011
2:10 pm
GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOUTHERN!!!!!!!!!!!!! SCREW THE PANTHERS!!!!!!!
Also I think we should draft Clayborn or trade back
MaxxFalcon
April 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
If the Falcons draft a TE it will be Virgil Green in the mid rounds. Falcons are going DE in 1st rd
Birdman
April 15th, 2011
2:18 pm
CT…. Very true post….The plays were there for the making for sure, and I’d take Troy over our guys any day of the week on those plays. But my point was that we were not as bad as that GB game indicated, or else we would not have been 13-3. So I am in favor of defense at the top to get someone who makes those tackles. But its not like we need wholesale defensive remake. We need a starter at DE no doubt, some depth at linebacker and nickelback to stay competitive and progress. If we take an OT instead of DE it would not hurt my feelings, as keeping Ryan upright is more relative to our success in the future than shooting and missing for the next Lawrence Taylor. DE are hard to predict outside the top 2 or 3, but that could really be said for every position. So no need to get worked up if our choice is a TE or WR even though its obvious defense has some needs.
Birdman
April 15th, 2011
2:19 pm
having said that, we will not draft a TE in the first round, no way.
Joe Tess Fish House
April 15th, 2011
2:21 pm
Count on the Flacons 2 draft another fist round bust
Hoof Hearted?
April 15th, 2011
2:40 pm
I would rather take our chances and see if D.J. Williams (Arkansas) is still on the board with our 2nd round pick.
Sea Trout
April 15th, 2011
2:43 pm
There is talk that the Falcons are in position to receive offers from those teams that are looking for a QB. Rudolph may be a reach with the 27th in the first but not with an early 2nd round pick. With a trade the falcons could get Rudolph in the early second and pick up an extra pick.
Ron the man
April 15th, 2011
3:34 pm
In my humble opinion based on my limited knowledge of our existing players, and considering our most recent playoff experience with Green Bay, a quality nickel corner is our most pressing need. Until we get that position filled on our roster- we will see a lot of four and five receiver formations daring us to cover. I know the rush will help, but we must have a speedy,swivel hipped, coverage guy to fill that void. I say that should be #27 if he is available that low, if not then the best pass rusher available.
jack
April 15th, 2011
4:48 pm
Bailey can’t miss … as a complete dud.
Ron the man
April 15th, 2011
5:09 pm
The nickel corner I was talking about earlier is our first pick after we trade down. He has run in the 4.2s and started in his freshman year.
He was top dog cornerback in his conference for two years, and is local product. You probably know who upstaged the local competion for the falcons, and I will bet even money it was Buster Skrine “Screen”. We might be able to get him with an early two and still get our DE later with our original pick in the 2nd. What do you think D’Led?
JOshua alavenda
April 15th, 2011
6:18 pm
Enter your comments here
TommyP
April 15th, 2011
6:23 pm
I don’t get your logic with these mock drafts. Every week you are picking a new player. My God, by the time you are done, there’s no way you will not hit the Falcons 1st pick. Falcons will make selection and you’ll post the link where you mocked him to the Birds.
Your mock drafts are far too easy to mock.
Falcons won’t WASTE their 1st round pick on a TE. With DE and WR being such huge needs, why not wait ’til later and snag Virgil?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 15th, 2011
6:43 pm
EARLY EVENING POLL RESULTS: Should the Falcons take Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph?
* Yes, Rudolph is a stud (39%, 210 Votes)
* No, they should take Justin Houston (28%, 150 Votes)
* No, they should take Cam Heyward (23%, 125 Votes)
* No, they should take Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith (10%, 56 Votes)
Total Voters: 541
BirdFanscout
April 15th, 2011
6:45 pm
There is a big drop off in talent after the top third of the first round. At 27 we need to trade back with one of these teams that need a #27 pick player. With extra pick get our DE, WR, RB, OL and nickel CB.
I agree with one of the other posters, Sidbury played well when given the opportunity. Maybe TD believes in Sidbury too and hiding his real intentions which could be OL, WR, RB, LB as targets. We drafted a LB last year who suppose to be able to cover and blitz.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 15th, 2011
6:46 pm
TommyP — Go have a beer and then come back. It makes more sense that way.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 15th, 2011
6:48 pm
ctfalconsfan — Hearing that schedule will come out after the draft. (The league has been busy with some mediation or something like that. Something about a collective bargaining agreement/lockout).
Larry
April 15th, 2011
7:42 pm
Heyward turned his back on Atlanta and Georgia went he left here to go to Ohio State. We should turn our backs on him. He’s not even that good.
Ken Strickland
April 15th, 2011
8:19 pm
It’s amazing how some of our fans will come up with all sorts of excuses to put down a player whenever he’s one they don’t like. It’s like they think if we draft a TE in the 1st rd, we won’t be able to address any of our other needs in this draft.
Or, if a player has had an injury, they automatically say he’ll always have injuries. This is football, and injuries are a part of the gm, not an exception to the gm. As weak as our pass rush has been over the last 3-4yrs, where would we be without DE JAbraham?
After all, wasn’t he also considered an injury waiting to happen by a number of our fans, as well as most Jet fans? Even though he’s 38yr old, some of you act like TE TGonzalez is immune to injury, or won’t change his mind and retire before this season.
Drafting a starting quality TE, to backup and learn from TGonzalez in his final yr would be a solid move. If fact, the most recent Walters mock draft has us drafting Alabama’s RB Mark Ingram at #27. Their reasoning was based on MTurner showing signs of wearing down and being injury prone over the past 3yrs, very noticably down the stretch of last season.
Over the past 3yrs the Falcons, under TD and Smitty, have relied almost exclusively on the OFF for the bulk of our success. After focusing the last 2 drafts on DEF, I have a feeling we will focus primarily on repairing and improving our OFF. Defensively, all we really need to resolve most of our pass coverage/DEF issues is a designated pass rushing DE or LB to compliment DE JAbraham.
Falcons relax...
April 15th, 2011
9:36 pm
@ romedawg Your not only on that point. Biermann whiffed a lot of sacks. He could still produce in my opinion. IT WAS HIS FIRST YEAR STARTING. I know where your coming from
Reality Check
April 15th, 2011
10:30 pm
Remember when every Falcons fan was so happy about throwing away a 2nd round pick for Gonzo?
I know The Chiefs are happy.
Big Ray
April 15th, 2011
10:40 pm
If nothing else Crabapplejoe would be very happy to see this. Ecstatic in fact.
hiramsaint
April 16th, 2011
12:52 am
after waking up from a snooze that suddenly came over me halfway thru ken stricklands always over done monologue, i realize the falcants will draft the most likely player to be injured by week 3 !
nes
April 16th, 2011
6:52 am
YEA! Let”s draft TE Rudolf from Notre Dame! Anther first round pick with injury problems–hamstring issues led to knee issues and so on! that’s my quote. Draft LT Gabe Camini or LB Martez Wilson who can step right in for Peterson and is a three down linebacker! R.Cobb or Titus Young in the second round, TE or RB in the third round, no need to venture any further as it is a crap shoot after three rounds of who best positional player or the best player available scenario will unfold. TE Rudolf will fall to second round anyway, so trade down if that is what the Falcons want so bad.
TommyP
April 16th, 2011
7:52 am
Had that beer last night…and a few more. It convinced me that what I said initially was spot on.
Let’s see…April 16. 2 more mocks???? 2 more chances to get two more 1st picks to the Falcons. LOL
TE is not that tough a position to fill. I don’t see them throwing away a 1st rounder on TE when great needs exist at DE and WR. If an excellent OT falls to that spot, you take him over a TE.
If TE is where Dimitroff is leaning at #27, he’ll trade back for more picks.
crabapplejoe
April 16th, 2011
9:27 am
@Big Ray: Its simple….change his name to “Dontavius” Rudolph and everyone on here would be drooling all over him…talking about his “speed” and “athleticism” and begging the Falcons to draft him at #27…LMAO. Personally, I think #27 is a little high for Rudolph…but some team is going to get a stud playmaker, probably in the early second round.
Fan Of ATL
April 16th, 2011
11:19 am
Where is matt “choke” ryan at? Havent seen him on the blogs lately..I miss his post!! lmao
And does anybody know the other name he goes by on here???
Ken Strickland
April 16th, 2011
2:42 pm
AHIRAMANIT-Welcome back. I noticed how your posting all but stopped after we whipped your BELOVED AINTS in gm 3 and won the division. Now it appears that you, and all of your fellow delusional AINT lovers, are back in full force espousing the same of BS.
But I understand your situation, because it has finally become obvious to most of you that you have to deal in the present, and can’t continue reveling in the glory of your PAST Super Bowl win. The FALCONS are winners now, and all of you want to associate with winners, so you spend as much time as possible with us.
While all of you know the FALCONS are getting better yr by yr, even though you can’t bring yourselves to admit it, you’re also aware that your BELOVED AINTS are going in the opposite direction. It’s evidenced by the fact that none of you bother to mention a single thing your BELOVED AINTS have done to improve themselves. When a team chooses trades free agency as their methods of development, while the rise is often rapid, so is the fall.
So, based solely on the development of the draft picks on our current roster, even if we don’t add a single player to our roster, we’ll still prove to be better than YOUR BELOVED AINTS, and will win our division ONCE AGAIN. ISN’T REALITY A B!TCH HIRAMAINT?
Ken Strickland
April 16th, 2011
5:22 pm
NES-explain how drafting TE Rudolf in the 2nd rd, rather than the 1st, will resolve the injury issues you claim he’ll definitely have at the Pro level.
TOMMYP-we don’t need a DE that’s capable of starting immediately as much as we need one that can function as a rotational pass rushing specialist. After 3 off seasons, 3 training camps, and a yrs experience as a starter, how can you be certain that any DE we take at #27 will be more effective as an immediate starter than KBiermann?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you’re wrong, just that in this DE rich draft, a quality pass rushing DE will be easier to find withour #59 2nd rd pick, than a starting caliber TE in this TE poor draft. Like you, I wouldn’t have a problem with us drafting an OLineman with our 1st pick.
There are positions in every draft that are deeper in talent than other positions. That means a 2nd rd pick at one position can be as talented as a 1st rd pick at another position. There will definitely be a pass rushing DE available as low as rd 4. However, there won’t likely be any starting caliber receiving TE’s available to us at pick #59.
TE TGonzalez made it clear he’ll definitely retire after this yr, and that if a labor agreement isn’t reached soon, he might retire this summer. Those 2 situations automatically make TE a major priority for us, especially since TE has been our OFF’s, and MRyan’s, #2 receiving option.
Consider this, we’ve yet to find a consistent starter out of all the DEF players we’ve drafted in the 1st rd over the last 3 drafts. Yet 7 of our OFF/DEF starters, and 4 of last yrs Pro Bowlers, were either UFA’s or drafted below the 3rd rd. In fact, only 2 of our 1st rd picks, over the last 3 drafts, have become starters.
Joshua Malavenda
April 16th, 2011
5:24 pm
my falcons mock draft
1. brooks reed olb/de university of arizona hes got a non stop motor good leader and td type of player
2. Jabaal Sheard de pittsburgh we can use as much help as we can get rushing the quarterback and he would fit perfectly in the falcons defense roatational style
3.jerrel jerrgian troy state wr just the explosion we need on the offense and we take some of the weight off of roddy white
4. shane vereen cal rb – perfect player to take the weight of micheal turner and good hands also
5. Lawerence wilsion connecticutt olb would match perfectly with sean witherspoon
6 lee zimba ot auburn would match great with underated o line we all ready have and fits the lumberjack mold that td likes
7a Marcus Gilchrist, CB clemson – would fill the empty nickle corner sport and will be a beast at doing it
7b Julian thomas portland state te
would be a perfect replacement for tony gonzo in a couple years and if we get him in 7th round it would be a steal
trade redman for 3rd round this draft and 2nd round in next years draft 3
7c ricardo lockette fort valley state would add depth to our lackluster reciever core
3rd b drake nevis lsu dt; will be a beast and is a steal in the third rd
hiramsaint
April 16th, 2011
6:44 pm
het kenny- i remember the whoopin’ we put on your ‘cons, who were supposed to be invincible, in your own houseand then the WILDCARD 6 seed packers came in and emphasized the point again shortly thereafter. but anyway, the real bitch for falcant fans must be that the saints CAN revel in a super bowl win and the falcants can only remember getting blown out by an over the hill elway in the far distant past when you had a team that had a whiff of victory. you keep taliking how your getting better but all i see is 0-2 in the playoffs with smitty and matty melt at the helm. that sweet kenny is the true REALITY that you must live with!
lech112
April 16th, 2011
7:20 pm
This is a solid Mock Draft. I think Ruldoph will be around in the second round if the Falcons want to get him them. This draft is full of very good defensive lineman. The Falcons would be smart to grab one of those guys — http://bit.ly/NFLMockDraft5 — there will be some good guys who fall to them at #27.
blord
April 16th, 2011
8:52 pm
TE’s don’t win championships for a team. See Tony G. is the greatest TE ever to play the game and yet he hasn’t ever won a playoff game. No TE in the first round when there are so many other needs. I was where one mock had Mark Ingram being taken by the birds in the first. That is an interesting thing to consider. I doubt he will be there but it is something to think about since Turner slowed down at the end of the year.
Facethenation
April 16th, 2011
10:36 pm
Let’s see what Arizona does with the fifth pick. If they do not get their QB we should trade them the 27th pick for their 2nd, third and fifth picks. We can then pick up Randall Cobb, Allen Bailey, Virgil Green and Demarco Murray with these picks. In the fourth we take Akeem Dent. In the fifth we take Marcus Gilbert and Pat Devlin. Sixth we take Casey Matthews. The Seventh we take Clemson’s Gilchrist, UGA’s Clint Boling and Fort Valley’s WR Fechectto.
Game Manager
April 16th, 2011
10:55 pm
Draft a QB that can flick it!
Ken Strickland
April 17th, 2011
1:49 am
HIRAMAINT-Tell me, does it take a genius or an fool to critize the Falcons for losing at home to the eventual Super Bowl champions. When one considers your SORRY AINTS also lost at home, except they were royally and historically embarrassed by getting this asses whipped by one of the few teams to ever make the playoffs with a losing record.
To add insult to injury, your SORRY AINT DEF gave up 41pts and 415yds to a team that was ranked 28th in total yds, 22nd in scoring, 19th in passing, and 31st in rushing. I guess winning one Super Bowl makes you so delusional that you forget everything about your teams past and present.
WHEN YOU LIVE IN A GLASS HOUSE, YOU SHOULDN’T THROW STONES, AND YOUR GLASS HOUSE IS AS FRAGILE AS CRYSTAL.
Ken Strickland
April 17th, 2011
2:02 am
With the depth at DE in this yrs draft, especially ones with pass rushing skills, don’t be surprised if we don’t take one in the 1st rd. With the depth of WR in this yrs draft, and our need for a speed WR who’s primary responsibility will be to stretch the field, don’t be surprised if we don’t draft one in 1st rd.
hiramsaint
April 17th, 2011
3:22 am
well kenny MY boy , you just proved yourself to be the fool you asked about . our loss was away with a team riddled with injuries. your #1 seed failcons were the ones to get embarrassed at home by the # 6 seed wildcard packers who weren’t even supposed to be there! we lost to a divisional winner and as an injured wildcard team still managed 36 pts. tell me what the falcants did? in their own house with the majority of the nation watching the 13-3 team that cried all year about getting no respect, they proved why they got no respect. i live in a stone house, dearest kenny, and will continue to throw glass that cuts you like this because as the rest of the nation knew last year the falcants were posers trying to emulate the previous years world champs. can you say that? world champs. i knew you couldn’t!
nes
April 17th, 2011
6:46 am
To Ken Strickland, i didn’t say i was for the Falcons drafting K. Rudolph, i said if the TD wants him so bad then trade down and get an extra pick to get him. What i was pointing out is TD the last three years has drafted players with injuries! To me, it is time to change that patern. We have Peele for blocking and Palmer for pass catching with good speed, why draft a first or second round TE in Rudolph when OT Camini for LT and move Baker to RT, or draft Martez Wilson at LB to replace the end of the road Peterson who tires out at the end of the year the last two years. that is all!
Scott
April 17th, 2011
10:55 am
The Falcons first priority should be going after Allen Bailey, DE, Miami ,because he is a real monster .
Scott
April 17th, 2011
10:59 am
The Falcons priority should be on defense ,Allen Bailey, DE, Miami would be a great first pick.
tony
April 17th, 2011
12:04 pm
Well, Defensive ends are good, but none can be great without help from a dominant defensive tackle. I say trade down and take Paea from Oreon State, the kids a beast, and with solid push from the inside, oue DE’s wont stugggle one bit
Brooks Reed at 27
April 17th, 2011
12:11 pm
he is the second coming of clay Matthews. watch his film. he is incredible. draft him. please. kind of under the radar but if we draft some awful player right in front of a player like this who will be a pro bowler ala perrier jerry then td should be fired
Ken Strickland
April 17th, 2011
12:31 pm
NES-To be honest, none of us knows how badly TD and Smitty want Rudolf, or if they really want him at all. Every week there’s been a report about the Falcons being interested in drafting either a WR, DE, TE, or OLineman @27. It’s an absolute certainty that we can’t draft more than one at #27, so a lot of this has to be smoke screens.
With these all over the board projections, it leads me to believe we might be postering in order to facilitate a trade down, if the specific player we want isn’t available when we pick. Until we know how TD and Smitty intend to deal with our OL issues, none of us can determine our OL priority in this draft.
We can’t assume moving SBaker to RT will solve his injury issues, or our LT situation. We can’t even determine if he’ll make a better RT than GReynolds at this point. TD and Smitty might be unwilling to go into this draft knowing TGonzalez might retire at anytime. The fact that some fans feel Palmer is capable of getting the job done as our #2 receiving option, doesn’t mean TD and Smitty feel that way.
HIRAMAINT-Man, that attempt at justification for your embarrassing record setting loss to a 7-9 playoff team, AT HOME NO LESS, was weak, really weak. Now you’re crying, whinning, and making lame excuses about your poor AINTS being injuried. WOW, life if hard for you AINT FANATICS.
Now, if injuries were really an issue, as you’re claiming, then explain how your AINTS managed to dominate almost every statistical category, and score 36pts, AT HOME, against a 7-9 team that ranked 28th in overall DEF?
WHY SHOULD ANY FALCON FAN BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT LOSING TO THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS PACKERS, WHEN YOU AND YOUR FELLOW AINT FANATICS DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SENSE TO REALIZE THE UTTER SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT OF LOSING TO ONE OF THE WORST TEAMS, CERTAINLY RECORD WISE, TO EVER MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?
Tell me HIRAMAINT, how many teams in playoff history, especially defending Super Bowl champions, have faced a team with a losing record, at home, scored 36pts, while dominating almost every statistical category, AND ENDED UP WALKING AWAY WITH THEIR TAILS TUCKED BETWEEN THEIR LEGS BECAUSE THEY GOT THEIR A$$ES KICKED?
IT’S CALLED “DENIAL” AINT FANATICS.
MurfHOF1
April 17th, 2011
3:19 pm
ignorant uga homers dreaming that Houston is drafted in first round
DR. FALCON
April 17th, 2011
4:23 pm
WE HAVE A SEVERE NEED ON DEFENSE! LET’S NOT FORGET THAT GB DEBACLE. KYLE RUDOLPH? ARE YOU KIDDING ME LEDBETTER? IF HE COULD’NT STAY ON THE FIELD IN COLLEGE BECAUSE OF INJURY, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK HE WILL BE INJURY-FREE IN THE NFL? VIRGIL GREEN WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER TO ADDRESS THAT POSITION. WE’VE HAD ENOUGH OF INJURY PRONE PLAYERS! SEE: JERIOU NORWOOD! KYLE RUDOLPH? NO THANKS!
hiramsaint
April 17th, 2011
9:47 pm
it was in seattle kenneth. with that being said and ageed upon by anyone that has a clue, how can we take anything you say seriously when you can’t even get the facts right as to where a playoff game was played. now that i’ve once again proved you i will not waste any more time with someone who shows as little knowledge as you. please continue to regurgitate facts that someone else has already done the work for . we find your plagirism quite comical when you can’t get stats correct.
Ken Strickland
April 17th, 2011
10:08 pm
HIRAMAINT-You want to talk about someone that doesn’t have a clue, tell me, what stats did I get wrong?
Remember HIRAMAINT, where 2 teams play isn’t a stat, but considering what you’re trying to avoid dealing with, I can understand why you’d use my error in where the gm was played to try and dismiss everything I got right. Get your bag ready HIRAMAINT, because it’s only going to get worse for your SORRY AINTS.
That SORRIER THAN SORRY DEF that gave up 41pts to a 7-9 team will only get worse, and your OFF is also getting old and predictable. And if you lose either RBush or DBrees, it’s over for your AINTS.
DR. FALCON
April 18th, 2011
12:58 am
HIRAMSAINT, YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO CRITICIZE ANYONE IN FALCON NATION! HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT HORRIFIC LOSS TO A 7-9 TEAM? GIVING UP 41PTS AT THAT? YOOUR FANS WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE ONLY ONES TO PUT BAGS OVER THEIR HEADS AT THE SUPERDOME! FALCONS FANS HAVE NEVER DONE THAT! THE FALCONS WILL SWEEP THE AINT’S NEXT YEAR. GUARANTEE IT! MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, AND SHUT UP! WE FALCON FANS STICK TOGETHER!
FaceTheNation
April 18th, 2011
5:07 am
DOL, if we stay at 27th, we will take Houston or Heyward. If both are chosen earlier, we will trade out of the 1st round. Take this blog to the bank!
hiramsaint
April 18th, 2011
6:18 am
DR.FAILCANT-did you see the packers game in your own dome ? you have to stick together after that debacle ‘ cause no one else wants to be associated with the whinning pretenders you’ve beensince smitty and matty melt arrived. live in the now and accept the FACT that they cannot and have not even won a single playoff game. most people say win a championship then you can talk trash but i’ll be lenient on you and say at least win 1 stinkin’ playoff game!
hiramsaint
April 18th, 2011
6:20 am
p.s. does all caps mean your angry?
falCants4ever
April 18th, 2011
6:25 am
u falCants fans can’t get over the fact the Saints have done what ur falCants haven’t…WON a Super Bowl..so bitter….and delusional if you think the falCants will win it this year…. too funny
Bradley's Boy
April 18th, 2011
8:41 am
If Dmitroff saw the Falcons fail to stop 3rd down conversions of opposing teams like we saw last year he will draft a DE and CB with first two picks. Ryan also needs a speedy deep threat WR to go with Roddy. TE is not a need right now but DE,CB,and WR are IMMEDIATE needs !
Bradley's Boy
April 18th, 2011
8:43 am
TE can be drafted in 3rd or 4th roinds.
Sunshine Falcon
April 18th, 2011
8:44 am
I hope the Falcons take players who fill needs, but look at guys who have great heart and desire. They also need to stay away from players who were often injured and didn’t practice well in college. J Houston would be my pick here. He played great at UGA and I hear he is a high motor guy, at DE.
Virgil Green seems like a good TE pick later, in the draft.
Bradley's Boy
April 18th, 2011
8:44 am
I’d go DE,CB,WR,TE with first 4 picks.
Bradley's Boy
April 18th, 2011
8:47 am
Jerome Bettis was a good ND player in 1993 draft. Brady Quinn ? Will he ever be a good QB ?
Bradley's Boy
April 18th, 2011
8:49 am
Three guys all named Cam going in 1st round gotta be a record ?
Sunshine Falcon
April 18th, 2011
8:55 am
The De out of Arizona might be a better pick than Houston.
Another Flacons fist round bust
April 18th, 2011
9:33 am
This team has a history of waisting there first round picks.
Jamall Anderson
Perrier Jerry
Sean Witherspoon
Thunderbird Falcon
April 18th, 2011
9:54 am
The Falcons should draft:
1. Reed DE Arizona
2. Receiver out of Troy
3. Best DB or OL available
4. Ditto #4
5. Athletic TE
6. Speed back from Cal
Rest of draft top player on board
Falcon57
April 18th, 2011
11:01 am
I have asked before and I’ll asked again, what’s the deal with Palmer at TE. I know he’s a FA from Clemson but he caught about everything that was thrown his way last year as a rookie. What I’d like to know is what kind of speed does this kid have. Anyone know this tid bit of information???
Thanks
Ken Strickland
April 18th, 2011
12:37 pm
Man, if your BELOVED AINTS had been as good at playing Seattle as you AINT FANATICS are at whinning, crying and making one lame excuse after another, like we were injured, or we played in Seattle, your AINTS wouldn’t have suffered that monumental embarrassment.
No matter how you spin it, or how many pitiful excuses you come up with to justify you embarrassment, the facts remain the same. Here’s the truth about your embarrassment.
1-Your AINTS embarrassing record setting butt whipping was to the only team in NFL history to make the playoffs with a losing record.
2-Your SORRIER THAN SORRY 29th ranked DEF gave up 41pts to the NFL’s 28th ranked OFF.
3-Your PITIFUL AINTS dominated every statistical category expect rushing yrs(77-150), rushing attempts(22-24), and POINTS(36-41).
4-Even with a 32-19 1st down edge, 83-61 edge in total plays, 397-265 edge in passing yds, and 60 pass attempts, your defending Super Bowl Champion AINTS still left Seattle with the most humiliating playoff loss in NFL history.
You are quick to point out how we lost to the Packers, but If your PITIFUL AINTS couldn’t avoid the utter humiliation and embarrassment of losing to the worst playoff team in NFL history, they would have been totally humiliated, embarrassed and destroyed by the juggernault Packers.
Even you DELUSIONAL EXCUSE MAKING AINT FANATICS should be able to process that bit of common sense analogy. All of you are quick to throw up your Super Bowl win with pride, and that’s understandable, but when it comes to accepting the truth about your AINTS, and their record setting embarrassment against Seattle, you bury your collective heads and mentalities in the sand and make pitiful excuses.
You’d think that a franchise with your sorry losing past would be better able to deal with the reality of what happened.
falCants4ever
April 18th, 2011
12:53 pm
and how many Super Bowls have the falCants won?..oh, we all know the answer to that one…NONE..and the falCants ’surrender’ to the Packers?…20yrd ‘floater’ disguised as an ‘out’..when you can accept the fact that the falCants haven’t even won a playoff game recently?…now, who’s delusional?….falCants
hiramsaint
April 18th, 2011
12:56 pm
awwwwww- kenny knows more about a real team than the failcants. now i know where your heart lies. it’s charitable of you to pose as a poser team supporter and i commend you for that as does the rest of the failcon village!
hiramsaint
April 18th, 2011
12:58 pm
good to see you on here falCants4ever. i know it’s mean picking on a lesser team but it sure is fun too.
Ken Strickland
April 18th, 2011
1:12 pm
Everytime I try to make my own mock draft, I keep coming up with all of the variables that make it impossible for me to do so. Unlike a lot of our fans, I don’t have an agenda, or favorite player(s)I want to see us draft. I just can’t put one together until I have 1st hand knowledge of things like:
1-How will we resolve our FA issue with our OL, and how do our coaches feel about the development of OT GReynolds and OG’s JHawley, MJohnson and JValdez?
2-How will we resolve our FA issue with our FA LB’s(will we resign OLB LNicholas)?
3-Do our coaches value a starting quality TE as a #2 receiving option, or a playmaking WR?
4-How do our coaches feel about the development of DE’s LSidbury and KBiermann at this stage?
5-How much do they feel RB MTurner has left, and do they feel a starting caliber RB or a change of pace is more important?
6-What our the thoughts of our coaches about our overall secondary?
7-What positions of need and wants do they think can be addressed through FA?
I just can’t put one together without answers to most of these questions.
hiramsaint
April 18th, 2011
1:19 pm
is it hard on you , kenny , being so incompetent yet thinking you know all and therefore should have all the answers?
hiramsaint
April 18th, 2011
1:21 pm
by the way , i don’t think anyone requested a mock draft from you though it is fun mocking you!
falCants4ever
April 18th, 2011
1:21 pm
hiram…good to see you too….it is fun to see these falCants supporters implode…they just can’t get over the fact that the Saints have won a Super Bowl and the MIGHTY falCants haven’t….as i’ve said before…when the falCants win a Super Bowl i might change my moniker…until then, they are the FALCANTS……
Ken Strickland
April 18th, 2011
1:27 pm
HIRAMAINT-I’ll bet you are glad to see him/her/it, because misery loves company. Tell me, do you think your AINTS are good enough to win another Super Bowl in our lifetime? Actually, do you think they have the ability to win another divisional title? What will they do to improve the team, especially that SORRIER THAN SORRY 29th RANKED EXCUSE FOR A DEF?
How far do you think the AINTS can go with a one dimensional OFF and NO DEF?
falCants4ever
April 18th, 2011
1:44 pm
ken…why so bitter?…get over it…the falCants were very lucky last year…..suspect ref calls…3 calls that should have gone the other way…and ur a 10-6 team, out of the playoffs…..no major injuries….falCants..
Ken Strickland
April 18th, 2011
2:33 pm
4EVER-I see you just can’t help making excuses like, we were lucky, or you got 3 bad calls. Grow up and stop making excuses for the AINTS utter futility and historic playoff humilation. I did a little research on your BELOVED AINT DEF, which is something you AINTS FANATICS can’t afford to do.
I’ll sum my findings up with the following statement, MAN, YOUR DEF IS OLD. Our Pro Bowl CB BGrimes had more INT’s than your entire secondary, and our Pro Bowl DE JAbraham had 13 sacks, while your entire DL had only 14.5.
DE ABrown(39 total tackles and 2INT’s)is entering his 11th yr, and DE WSmith(39 total tackles and 5.5 INT’s)is entering his 9th yr. Both will be a yr older, and you can pretty much take it for granted neither will show much if any improvement. DT CEllis is the only DLineman that had any meaningful production, or has much room for improvement.
Except for DT CEllis, your entire DL needs revamping. The fact that 2 of your LB’s and 2 in your secondary have 105-76, and 98-60 total tackles respectively, demonstrates just how pitiful your DL is.
I noticed that none of you bothered to answer any of my questions, just make more excuses. DENIAL, AINT fans, is not a river in Africa.
FalcFans.com » 2011 Mock Muncher – Updated 4/1
April 18th, 2011
2:34 pm
[...] Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State 4.16 – New NFL Draft: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado 4.15 – Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame 4.15 – FF Toolbox (De Lima): Ben Ijalana, OG, Villanova 4.15 [...]
hiramsaint
April 18th, 2011
2:58 pm
wow kenny and with all of that your beloved #1 seed failcans still got their bottoms paddled in a most embarassing fashion by a #6 seed wildcard team in round 1. i’d worry more about my team who can’t win a playoff game than worrying about a team who is a world champion. i can understand your reluctance because after all it is the falcants!
hiramsaint
April 18th, 2011
3:01 pm
falCants4ever-i wouldn’t mind if they were talkin’trash with at least 1 single solitary playoff win in recent history. but after all it is the falcants!
Ken Strickland
April 18th, 2011
6:10 pm
HIRAMAINT-The Falcons aren’t the 1st team to lose a home playoff gm to a 6th seed. However, your SORRY AND EMBARRASSING AINTS are the 1st team in NFL history to lose a playoff gm to a team with a losing record, ANYWHERE, EVER. HOW BAD IS THAT. A record setting one of akind butt whipping.
Comeon HIRAMAINT, and all the rest of you AINT FANATICS, get you heads out of you butts and smell something other than yourselves. Losing to the eventual Super Bowl Champions can’t come close to losing to the worst playoff team ever, and the only losing team to ever make the playoffs.
Your AINTS established the regular season record for the most consecutive none winning seasons, a record that will never be broken by the way. And now you’ve established a new playoff record, for utter futility and humilation, that might never be broken.
The moment you lose either QB DBrees or RB RBush, or fail to drastically overhaul that SORRIER THAN SORRY 29TH ranked excuse for a DEF, you’ll revisit those days of utter futility, humilation, and wearing bags over your heads.
I’m still waiting for you AINT FANATICS to stop making excuses and start answering my questions and/or saying something, one way or another, about your sorry excuse for a DEF. Do you really think your declining OFF can make up for that almost none existent DEF?
4EVER-You keep bringing up your past Super Bowl win like that makes up for everything since. So tell me, how does it overcome you finishing 2nd to the division winning FALCONS, or that record setting and humiliating playoff loss to Seattle? The SORRY DECLINING AINTS are now the NFL version of BUSTER DOUGLAS.
Keep wollowing in denial, making excuses, and trying to make chicken salad out of chicken S–t.
falCants4ever
April 18th, 2011
6:23 pm
ken…watch out, you’re gonna pop a vein…brees is a key…matty melt is yours….who would i rather have…Brees…which team is gonna do worse if one of them is lost….the Saints…you better hope that Matty Melt can make better throws next year….those 10yrd hooks….wow how exciting those are…and predictable…i can’t wait…. falCants….
cornell #1 falcon fan
April 18th, 2011
6:23 pm
what do you think D. Orlando. I think we should trade out of the first round and pick up an extra 2nd and 3rd round. I think we can find a defensive end and tight end that has the same skill level and potential in the 2nd-4th round. I think we could posiibly pull some legit playmakers in those rounds that wont be that much of a difference from the spot we pick at in the first round. I think there will be some 1st round grade defensive ends that fall into the second round. There is not that big of a differnece to me in the top 3 tight ends. Mostly all of the mock drafts I have seen. there was no tight ends taken in the first round. I think that would be a reach for us to take a tight end that early. I say go for playmakers at the skill positions and get a tight end through free agency. whenever that can happen….smh
Ken Strickland
April 18th, 2011
9:06 pm
HIRAMAINT-You have got to be enjoying yourself on our blogs, because I’m certain it’s downright miserable talking to a bunch of delusional AINT FANATICS who are trying to out do each other making excuses for that HISTORIC ONE OF A KIND playoff humilation.
The fact that you and 4EVER won’t answer any questions or make any comments about the AINTS, other than they’ve won a Super Bowl, tells me you accept the truth about your AINTS, but refuse to admit it openly. Have as much fun as you can this off season, as you did last off season, because your SORRY AINTS are going to come up way short once again.
Defensively, all we need is a pass rushing specialist, which this draft is loaded with. Your AINTS, on the other hand, need 2 DE’s and a DT that can tackle, defend the run and rush the passer. You also need a consistent rushing OFF, like you have with Duece McAlaster, rather than relying almost exclusively on your QB and passing OFF.
Ken Strickland
April 18th, 2011
9:24 pm
Consider this. In this draft, the Falcons are going to add more youth, speed, quickness and depth to an OFF in which 5 of its 6 skill position players went to the Pro Bowl. Defensively, we’ll add speed, quickness, youth, and athleticism to Probowl CB(BGrimes), former Pro Bowl CB(DRobinson), Probowl caliber MLB(CLofton), Pro Bowl DE(JAbraham) and Pro Bowl caliber DT(JBabineaux).
AINTS safety DSharper has 15yrs of experience, while our entire secondary has a combined 15yrs of experience.
Joshua Malavenda
April 19th, 2011
3:01 am
updated mock draft
1st brooks reed u of az de
2. brandon harris u of miami cb
3. torrey smith u of maryland wr
4 shane vereen u of california rb
5.Mike mohamed u of california lb
6. zee ziemba u of auburn ol
7a ugo chinasa okstate de
7b Julian Thomas portland state Te
7c. Zack eskridge midwestern state qb
hiramsaint
April 19th, 2011
6:47 pm
kenny- are you just re-posting the same garbage as last year? sure sounds like it to me and look what happened to the team ranked #1 in the power rankings. a spanking of monumental proportions! if i remember your post from last year all you said was how if we get this and we get that then we’re unstoppable. well you got all that and still pulled a failcon special and choked and the rest of the country is expecting nothing less than the same this year. win at least 1 playoff game and you and your team may be taken seriously. i support a world champion which is obtuse to you so it’s hard for me to fault you yet i still do. what it all boils down to is this —-win something for a change!
Ken Strickland
April 19th, 2011
8:36 pm
What else can you expect but garbage when you’re posting info about the AINTS and their SORRIER THAN SORRY DEF. Since you’re remember my comments and predictions from last yr, do you remember:
1-me telling you your SORRIER THAN SORRY 25TH RANK DEF(the previous yrs ranking)will be your downfall?
2-me telling you the Falcons will win the NFC South Division?
3-me telling you the AINTS won’t make the plays they made their Super Bowl yr, because their veteran players won’t repeat their career, or near career performances?
Ken Strickland
April 19th, 2011
8:43 pm
I’m tired of talking about the AINTS, it’s time for me to start talking about a real football team.
Regardless of who we draft and where, we’re going to definitely get the speedy playmaking WR, change of pace RB, and pass rushing DE/OLB we covet.
hiramsaint
April 19th, 2011
9:16 pm
i also remember the falcons were supposed to go to the superbowl , the saints would get swept and matty would finally be recognized as an elite qb. guesses are simply that . i also believe you said the saints would go 8-8 and miss the playoffs. sorry kenneth , your not the oracle you make yourself out to be. what real football team would that be. certainly not one that is 0-2 in the playoffs over the past 5 years but seeing as you settle for mediocrity…i’m guessing you mean the failcans
hbcuclassics
April 20th, 2011
5:04 pm
2011 Falcons Easy Button 3.0
1.27 Jimmy Smith, CB, 6′2, 211, Colorado – “elite” corner fills need; sophomoric behavior non-cancerous, Owens questionable, Williams out. Secondary suspect.
2.59 Bruce Carter, OLB, 6′2, 243, UNC – “elite” linebacker is Top 10 talent but for ACL. Like Moore/Jerry put on IR/rehab for a year; and reap Pro Bowl reward later.
3.91 Greg Little, WR, 6′3, 231, UNC – stud receiver with hands, strength, speed, agility. Makes big plays and acrobatic catches, bench pressed 225/27x; NCAA suspension irrelevant.
4.124 Jordan Cameron, TE, 6′5, 254, USC – long, athletic former WR and hoopster.
5.158 Johnny Culbreath, OT, 6′5, 285, SC State – AP/FCS All-American, 3xMEAC Champ; best lineman in HBCU football – think Larry Little.
6.192 Frank Warren, RB, 5′11, 195, Grambling – AP/FCS All American, “Sweet Feet” broke Walter Payton’s All-time SWAC rushing record w 1,592 yds in 2010; 3rd in NCAA rushing.
7.209 Raymond Webber, WR, 6′2, 215, UAPB – AP/FCS All-American, led NCAA w/ 101 rec. 1,429 yds.; 10TDS, 130 ypg avg. think Jerry Rice. Coach: Monte Coleman.
7.228 Ricardo Lockette, WR/KR, 6′3, 199, FVSU – 2009 DII 200M Champ, 4.39/40
7.229 Matthew Johnson, QB, 5′11, 185 Bethune – 2010 HBCU POY, 2010 MEAC POY
hbcuclassics.com