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Falcons are unlikely to trade the 27th pick

6:35 am April 19, 2011, by D. Orlando Ledbetter

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith introduce their first round NFL draft pick, Peria Jerry, Ole Miss defensive tackle, in 2009. Who will be the top pick in 2011? KENT D. JOHNSON / kdjohnson@AJC.COM

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith introduce their first round NFL draft pick, Peria Jerry, Ole Miss defensive tackle, in 2009. Who will be the top pick in 2011? KENT D. JOHNSON / kdjohnson@AJC.COM

BIRDLAND – Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who was New England’s director of college scouting and played a key role their drafts from 2003 to 2007, is used to being in the second half of the first round.

He was a national scout with New England in 2002. He was named the Falcons general manager on Jan. 13, 2008.

With the Falcons, Dimitroff entered the last three drafts with the third, 24th and 19th picks in the first round.

From 2003 to 2007, New England picked 13, 21, 32, 21 and 24.

Here’s who the Patriots selected.

  • 2007 – 24 overall – Brandon Meriweather, s, Miami.
  • 2006 – 21 -  Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota.
  • 2005 – 32 – Logan Mankins, OL, Fresno State.
  • 2004 – 21 – Vince Wilfork, NT, Miami.
  • 2003 – 13 – Ty Warren, DE, Texas A&M.

There has been a lot of draft talk about teams trading back up into the first round to pick-up one of the second-tier quarterbacks. Texas Christian’s Andy Dalton and Florida State’s Christian Ponder are targets of a few teams.

If Washington’s Jake Locker gets past Seattle at 25, someone may covet the Falcons’ pick to select him.

But those teams will need to call with a really sweet deal.   Dimitroff is clutching that 27th pick pretty close to his vest.

“There is no question that we’d contemplate that, but with that said, you go into each draft thinking that you want to get the players that you want,” Dimitroff said. “There are going to be a lot of players there in my mind at 27 that can still help us. That would have to be a strong proposition from a team behind us.”

Basically, don’t expect the Falcons to trade out of the 27th spot.

The Falcons are likely leaning towards taking the best pass rusher left.  This week Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan, Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn and California’s Cam Jordan are coming for visits. Also, don’t dismiss UCLA’s Akeem Ayers.

The Falcons worked out Ayers on April 9 in Los Angeles. They had him do defensive end and linebacker drills. He’s pretty versatile. While, he ran slow at the combine, he ran a 4.69 at his Pro Day.  Check out this video of Ayers, which is designed to show his versatility. CLICK HERE.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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106 comments Add your comment

Singletary

April 20th, 2011
11:38 am

Steve “is greater than” Roswell — I’m sure you didn’t intend the mathematical read of your screen name, but I find it indicative of mindset. Sometimes the mark of a leader/positive member of society (and adult) is wait and see/be supportive of those who were hired because they have more experience and know more than you and I. I’m all for promoting your favorite pics or where you see the needs are on the team, but please don’t become “Choke” or “Seen this B4.” If and when he really screws up (like when he chose someone other than Dorsey OY,) we have a fair right to criticize.

Now, let’s hope we have some 2011 football about which to flail, fret and fantasize!

hbcuclassics

April 20th, 2011
5:02 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

lech112

April 20th, 2011
9:16 pm

The Falcons need to get a pass rusher — http://bit.ly/NFLMockDraft5 — and they might get a very good one (if he can stay out of trouble).

geno

April 21st, 2011
6:15 am

defensive end ??……please !. ..ask yourself whos the best defensive players in the league…….palamalou, revis, R. lewis, C. matthews, woodson, assamayou , ed reed . . ..well there you have it…..LBs, Safteys and corners more valuable than DEs….

hbcuclassics

April 21st, 2011
3:16 pm

2011 HBCU Draft Top WRs

1. Raymond Webber, 6′2 218, Ark-PB
2. Ronnie Childs, 6′2, 195, Albany St.
3. Ricardo Lockette, 6′3, 199, FVSU
4. Jeremy Franklin, 6′3, 196, JC Smith
5. Larrone Moore, 6′1, 185, Del. St.
6. Jevaughn Reams, 5′11, 185, Bethun
7. Anthony Mayes, 5′11, 190, Jackson
8. Dexter Manley, 6′1, 185 Elizabeth
9. Joe Hills, 6′4, 204, Tennessee St.
10. Donte Davis, 6′0, 181, Hampton

http://www.hbcuclassics.com

BIE E MAC TOWN

April 21st, 2011
7:29 pm

please get some gators on that team proven champs

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