5 things we know about the Falcons’ draft
Athens, GA: UGA linebacker Akeem Dent runs a drill for NFL scouts uring UGA's Pro Day March 22, 2011. Brant Sanderlin bsanderlin@ajc.com
BIRDLAND – The NFL draft is right around the corner and some issues are starting clear up.
Here are 5 things we know about the Falcons’ draft:
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2. Sackmaster Jr. is on the way: This draft is considered extremely deep at the defensive end position and John Abraham isn’t getting any younger. The Falcons will likely have a shot at selecting Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn, Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh’s Jabaal Sheard, Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt or UCLA’s Akeem Ayers. As the draft nears, I’m leaning toward the versatile Ayers as the Falcons pick for my final mock draft. He played defensive end and linebacker for the Bruins and was a destructive force.
3. Wide receiver help is on the way: We keep hearing how much the Falcons love Troy wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan. He’s fast and he’s tough. If he’s still there at No. 59, they likely won’t waste much time turning in his card. Also, Fort Valley State’s Ricardo Lockette and Georgia’s Kris Durham could be added late or as free agents if they go undrafted.
4. Linebacker card will get turned in: The Falcons have to take a linebacker. Stephen Nicholas could likely get starter money on the open market and Mike Peterson isn’t getting any younger. They would like to re-sign both at
Troy wide receivers Jerrel Jernigan (3) and Terrell Bailey (9) celebrate the Trojans first touchdown against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
their price. Denver and Detroit are reportedly set to make bids for Nicholas whenever free agency hits. So look for the Falcons to consider Georgia’s Akeem Dent in the mid-rounds. They also have thick files on California’s Mike Mohamed and Oregon’s Casey Matthews.
5. Speed back is coming: The Falcons want explosive plays on offense. They wanted running back Jerious Norwood to fill that role, but he’s had trouble staying healthy. Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray, West Virginia’s Noel Devine and Louisville’s Bilal Powell are possibilities.
Another sub-plot: Will Dimitroff again steer clear of the Big 10 conference?
With 26 draft selections in three years at the helm for the Falcons, Dimitroff, the two-time Sporting News executive of the year, has drafted players from 10 conferences (0 from the mighty and slow Big 10!).
Below is the breakdown:
SEC: CB Chevis Jackson (LSU), RB Thomas Brown (Georgia), TE
Keith Zinger (LSU), DT Peria Jerry (Mississippi), DT Corey Peters
(Kentucky) and OL Mike Johnson (Alabama).
Big 12: LB Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma), S William Moore (Missouri), LB Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri), CB Dominique Franks (Oklahoma) and WR Kerry Meier (Kansas).
Pac-10: OT Sam Baker (USC), S Thomas DeCoud (California), LB Robert James (Arizona State) and CB Wilrey Fontenot (Arizona).
ACC: QB Matt Ryan (Boston College), OT Garrett Reynolds (North
Carolina), LB Spencer Adkins (Miami) and DT Vance Walker (Georgia Tech).
Big Sky: DE Kroy Biermann (Montana) and Shann Schillinger (Montana).
Big East: WR Harry Douglas (Louisville).
Western Athletic: CB Chris Owens (San Jose State).
Atlanticc 10: DE Lawrence Sidbury (Richmond).
Southern Conference: CB William Middleton (Furman).
Mountain West: C Joe Hawley (UNLV).
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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109 comments Add your comment
JONESBORO SLIM
April 22nd, 2011
1:54 pm
DJ SNIPER
The way he runs it’s somewhat expected..wouldn’t you agree?
Ken Strickland
April 22nd, 2011
1:58 pm
HIRAMAINT-A DEFENDING DIVISION AND SUPER BOWL CHAMPION, that was predicted to repeat, should have bedn able to defeat a 7-9 playoff team that set an NFL record for futility, since it was the 1st team in NFL history to make the playoffs with a losing record.
All of you AINT FANATICS should take a good long look into a mirror, and if you don’t see a reflection of a Falcon fan, you’ll definitely see a reflection of the cause of all your problems.
DJ Sniper
April 22nd, 2011
2:00 pm
JB Slim, I admit that I haven’t watched a whole lot of tape on Murray. Is he one of those straight up and down runners like Eric Dickerson was back in the day?
JONESBORO SLIM
April 22nd, 2011
2:04 pm
DJ SNIPER
They say he is ..but watching him on film he looks normal to me…but he has breakway speed..and can catch the ball…pull his name and see for yourself…”SEE YOU ON THE HILL”
coloradobulldog
April 22nd, 2011
2:54 pm
DOL, you mention Akeem Ayers as possibility because he played DE & LB. I might be a homer but so did UGA’s Houston. Justin is taller, bigger, faster (4.68 in 40 vs Ayers’ 4.78) and stronger. (He benched 225 Lb. 30x. Ayers only did 18.) Houston had 17 1/2 sacks the last two years – one as a DE and one as a LB. Ayers had 10. Maybe because I am a UGA alum/fan, I’m biased but I would take Houston over a lot of those higher projected DE’s in a heart beat.
Thunderbird Falcon
April 22nd, 2011
2:55 pm
Any chance the Falcons draft the WR from UK?
hiramsaint
April 22nd, 2011
2:58 pm
kenneth- i’ll take a superbowl winning and superbowl mvp qb any day over a qb that is 0-2 in playoff history. i would venture say that anyone who knows the 2 will say the same though if you have 72 mil invested in the melt , you wouldn’t admit it. heres to mediocrity in atl. the way it was , is and will continue to be. whens the next winning season celebration ? early in jan. i’ll bet!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 22nd, 2011
3:25 pm
Poppa and Reid: Thanks for the kind words. Sorry I couldn’t be in here sooner. But I had to finished the DB story for the draft series. That Patrick Peterson is a freak! Jimmy Smith has cleared up his character issues and could go to Detroit at 13.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 22nd, 2011
3:26 pm
Coloradobulldog: Houston didn’t play all of the time. I’ve got the Falcons passing on him if he’s still on the board. Jets could take him.
DJ Sniper
April 22nd, 2011
3:56 pm
Hiram, you act like Matt Ryan is on the downside of his career. The man has only played 3 years in the NFL and has great things ahead of him. Brees was in the league for 9 years before winning his first SB. You really need to quit while you’re ahead.
At the risk of sounding redundant, how long ago was it that the Saints were mired in mediocrity themselves? Not that long ago.
uga_b
April 22nd, 2011
4:15 pm
D-Led,
I agree with you on a lot of your points.
Don’t think we are considering some of your DEs listed.
Bilal Powell can’t get through a workout without an injury so look out for Locke or Scott who we have interviewed. From what I can tell, we have shown no interest in Murray.
IceFan
April 22nd, 2011
4:18 pm
I know it’s the epitome of wishful thinking, but what would it take to trade all the way up to get Von Miller?
Joe Tess Fish House
April 22nd, 2011
4:20 pm
5 thigs I no about the Flacons draft:
Count on the fist pick bein a bust)this team has history hear)
Count on most of the fans here to thing the pick will be grate
Count on my contined anger and betrail with the Falcons regarding this and oter drafts
Count on many of U to make fun of me and be wrong.
Count on me laffing at U B Cuz U where wrong!
IceFan
April 22nd, 2011
4:24 pm
Joe you forgot a couple: Count on Joe Tess Fish House to never learn how to spell and to hide when the Falcons win a Superbowl within the next 3 years
IceFan
April 22nd, 2011
4:28 pm
Barring any trades:
1. Justin Houston
2. Randall Cobb
3. Virgil Green
4. Derrick Locke
5. Nate Irving
Joe Tess Fish House
April 22nd, 2011
4:32 pm
They have 2 win a Superbowel fist. I dont see that happing with the number of draft day busts
IceFan
April 22nd, 2011
4:38 pm
Just busting your chops. I honestly think the jury is still out on some of Tommy D’s picks. I want to see what a healthy Jerry and Weatherspoon can do. I do hope they will shy away from guys with injury-prone pasts this year though. I love DeMarco Murray but I will cringe if they take him. We already had Jerrious Norwood riding the pine long enough with injuries.
I think Dimitroff has done pretty well overall. He has stayed true to his plan of building a base. Now it’s time to have some fun in the draft and I think they will
Ken Strickland
April 22nd, 2011
4:44 pm
HIRAMAINT-Exactly how many DIVISION and SUPERBOWL championships, MVP awards, and playoff gms did your beloved DBrees win LAST YR? TALK ABOUT BEING DELUSIONAL, WOW! Does not having a clue/IQ go along with being an AINT fan? Do you still have the bag you used during the AINTS DARK AGES?
hbcuclassics.com
April 22nd, 2011
4:50 pm
Raymond Webber, WR, 6′2, 215 UAPB – One of two players to lead SWAC w/ 100+ catches, the other is Jerry Rice. http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/154400/56/Raymond-Webber-ready-for-the-NFL
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
DJ Sniper
April 22nd, 2011
4:57 pm
IceFan, trading up to get Von Miller will not happen. Miller is expected to be a top 10 pick, and the Falcons would have to give up way too much to move up to that area.
IceFan
April 22nd, 2011
5:02 pm
DJ I know it’s not realistic. I’m just asking DLed and the rest of you what you think it would take, theoretically speaking.
PMC
April 22nd, 2011
5:07 pm
I like these 5 thoughts, I hope all that help is on the way.
They are WAY under the cap so they can either fill in the picks from last year that they chose for the OL or they can sign all of them.
They HAVE to find a rusher, they HAVE to get a lot better at WR..they HAVE to find a speed back that can catch and they HAVE to find another outside linebacker that can cover short routes.
That’s 4 areas where they were essentially embarrassing last season.
DR. FALCON
April 22nd, 2011
5:48 pm
I WOULD LOVE THE SELECTIONS OF AKEEM DENT, NOEL DEVINE, AND AKEEM AYERS! GOOD JOB LEDBETTER. NOW YOU ARE MAKEING SENSE! YOU LOST ME WHEN YOU BROUGHT UP KYLE RUDOLPH! WE NEED AN IMPACT PLAYER TO CONTRIBUTE OR START WITH THAT 27TH PICK.
SCFalcon
April 22nd, 2011
7:06 pm
Did SeenThisB4 actually admit he had a Drew Brees blowup doll in his moms basement?
Sid
April 22nd, 2011
7:09 pm
Darrell, #3……………getting Kerry Meier healthy is like a free draft choice. Just wait, a taller version of Steve Largent on the horizon.
JONESBORO SLIM
April 22nd, 2011
7:13 pm
Hey Sid ..you know you’re right he looked good in the PRE….but we have to be sure
JONESBORO SLIM
April 22nd, 2011
7:24 pm
Speed speed like an earlier blogger said we need “SPEED” and my 2 for 1 package is just the thing DeMarco Murray…the injury thing just come with that kind of runner…besides Norwood being hurt…what about the Reggie Bush’s or for that matter any speed back…Murray is fast 4.3 forty and can catch the football….ouit drinking the “kool-aid” from the TALKING HEADS
JONESBORO SLIM
April 22nd, 2011
7:26 pm
“See you on the hill”
hiramsaint
April 22nd, 2011
9:57 pm
kenneth–more than matty melt—BAM—just put the hammer down on you like jesse. c’mon man, your dumd and e-z but are you that pathetic? really?
TD has No clue
April 22nd, 2011
10:48 pm
TD will screw it up as usual. P.Jerry over Clay Matthews. D’Marco Murray will fit right in with the rest of the guys on the DL. By the way, how many of the picks above by TD have turned out to be great? Answer-0
Ken Strickland
April 22nd, 2011
11:42 pm
HIRAMAINT-let me show you what’s pathetic. I asked you how many divisional titles, Super Bowls and MVP awards did your beloved DBrees win LAST YR, and your answer was “MORE THAN MATTY MELT, BAM. Now how difficult is that question to comprehend?
Now everyone in the modern world that knows anything about NFL football, except you DELUSIONAL AINT FANATICS undoubtedly, knows Matt Ryan, not DBrees, won the NFC South Divisional title LAST YR(2010-2011 season). And unlike you DELUSIONAL AINT FANATICS, they also know the AINTS didn’t come close to winning or even participating in the 2010-2011 Super Bowl.
Now, if DBrees didn’t win the divisional title, the Super Bowl, the MVP award, a single playoff gm, or more than 11gms in the 2010-2011 season, how can anyone, but a truely DELUSIONAL AINT FANATIC without a clue, say he did more than Matt Ryan, who won his division and 13 gms? NOW THAT’S WHAT YOU CALL PATHETIC!!
FaceTheNation
April 23rd, 2011
3:04 am
SeenB4 and Hiramsaint how many Falcons games y’all plan to attend this year? $4 a gallon gas prices might make y’all sell your Falcons season tickets for the 2011 season.
Real Problem
April 23rd, 2011
7:22 am
If, if and if the Bama running back slides….you take him. While he may not have long blazing speed he does have blazing 10 yard speed. No defensive player will touch the ball 20 times a game. Kid has the heart of a lion.
Buck
April 23rd, 2011
8:39 am
Did the newspaper in N.O. ever get up and running again?
YourPoliticalAnimal
April 23rd, 2011
8:48 am
Why does a Falcons blog site always end up being a Saints discussion board??? Don’t make me snap my finger and order another Katrina, y’ heah???
Ken Strickland
April 23rd, 2011
9:22 am
YOURPOLITICALANIMAL-Please, whatever you do, don’t order another Katrina, because as it seems, the last Katrina appears to have caused permanent brain damage and a total loss of rational thought among some AINT FANATICS.
How else do you explain their delusional belief that the Falcons losing to the Super Bowl champion Packers, this yrs best NFL playoff team, is somehow far worse than losing to the worst playoff team in NFL history? Not only are these pitiful and DELUSIONAL AINT FANATICS unable to fatham that, they can’t seem to fatham the magitude of their SORRIER THAN SORRY 29TH ranked DEF giving up over 40pts to the NFL’s 28th worst OFF.
I guess they realize their own team is sinking fast, and their rival Falcons are getting stronger and better each yr. Therefore, all they have left is to try and bring the Falcons down to their level, in their minds at least. If you’ll notice, not once has one of them even bothered to make any predictions about the AINTS upcoming season, or mention anything whatsoever about their BELOVED AINTS OFF or DEF. They only mention their savior, QB Drew Brees.
AND HIRAMAINT NEVER DENIED HAVING A DBREES BLOWUP DOLL.
Winston
April 23rd, 2011
10:30 am
The BIG 12 has been kind to us.
hiramsaint
April 23rd, 2011
4:18 pm
kenneth , if your a fan of blowup dolls thats your deal , and you do sound like a man of experience with them , but please leave your private fetishes in midtown where you and they belong. it’s to bad that your embarassment of last years first round flogging has left you with nothing left to talk about but your personnal preferences but this is a blog where the saints championship and the falcons LACK thereof seem to be the constant source of your jealousy and therefore your conversation. please , in the future , attempt to stay on topic no matter how strong your urges are elsewhere. football is the topic here , not your failure with women!
chickenman
April 23rd, 2011
8:57 pm
Here are my hopefuls for the rounds 1-3
1. DE Clayborn/JJ Watt/Cameron jordan… or pray that bowers slips far enough to move up and get because i saw no pass rusher as effective as him the last 2 years in the acc
2. WR This is tricky because alot of fans i have spoken to dont believe the hype behind the “speed demons” that the ajc keeps boasting about each week… i see 1 guy here that can be a beast and that is John Baldwin PITT
3. You need a change of pace back here Murray would be good or Noel Devine ( but i think he is too risky to take as a 3rd.) OR go pick up Matthews from Oregon as a nice young LB to add to the lineup
cwltank
April 24th, 2011
1:00 am
Clay had a awesome year just wait until the start testing. We will see players numbers decline, hint GB & Steelers. “HGH”
Ken Strickland
April 24th, 2011
1:34 am
HIRAMAINT-you want to talk about staying on topic? My last post contained 3 full paragraphs that focused exclusively on football, and you ignored all 3 paragraphs to focus your entire rant on questioning my sexuality, based on the very last sentence which mentioned a blowup doll, which you still haven’t denied having.
CONservative Johnson
April 24th, 2011
2:57 am
I’m hoping the judge rules Monday that there will be no draft and makes all of the draft eligible players free agents. I wonder if the Falcons would be big time players in that case, like going after a couple of big time players (AJ Green and a top pass rusher), or if all teams would decide to not sign anyone . . .
Lions, Broncos To Pursue Falcons Free Agent LB Stephen Nicholas?
April 24th, 2011
10:39 am
[...] [...]
DR. FALCON
April 24th, 2011
12:31 pm
TO MY FELLOW FALCONS FANS: HAPPY EASTER AND RESURRECTION DAY! GOD BLESS! TO SEENTHISB4, AND HIRAMSAINT: MATT RYAN IS ONLY IN HIS 4TH YEAR. DREW BREES IS IN HIS 11TH. IT IS UNFAIR TO COMPARE RYAN TO BREES UNLESS YOU REFLECT BACK ON BREES’ 1ST 3YRS AS A STARTER. YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED THAT RYAN’S NUMBERS COMPARE FAVORABLY TO BREES’ 1ST 3YRS AS A STARTER IN S.D.!
slim
April 24th, 2011
1:23 pm
This is why the falcons need to trade down and get more picks we have more holes than Swiss cheese. Our soft schedule showed we were a good team we were overrated seeing how Green Bay destroyed us in the second round. 1st of all i believe we should draft a pass rushing defensive end Aldon Smith Robert Quinn Or Justin Houston who over fits our Cover 2 scheme our sacks come from the lineman not linebackers i repeat the defensive line do u guys know about our schemes we run. In the Second Round go offense Wide Receiver 3rd round offensive line or A cover 2 type linebacker who is fast and fluid in coverage our linebackers are 2 slow Mike P and Curtis Lofton needs to Be Replaced on Passing Downs 4round running back a fast hb with speed and pass protecting ability or a cornerback with cover 2 or man coverage skills 5th round defensive end again with need another pass rushing defensive end 6th round go linebacker again draft another linebacker with coverage skills and fast and also blitzing ability .
slim
April 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
Our pass defense is garbage do u guys know why our Pass defense is garbage our linebackers cant cover Mike P and Curtis Lofton they are run stopping linebackers when need fast and fluid linebackers in coverage with speed i repeat with speed also 2 pass rushing defensive ends The goal of a Cover 2 scheme is to allow the defensive line to rush and the back 7 to cover makes it hard to complete passes this is why our defense isn’t good we have the wrong personnel playing in the cover 2 scheme. On offense we need a wide receiver with speed and blocking ability and 3rd down running speed back with pass protecting skills and 2 offensive lineman Sam baker is average to none this is how is team can get better by this blueprint speed and explosion o yea another cornerback or 2 with cover 2 or man coverage skills would be excellent
slim
April 24th, 2011
1:37 pm
U guys stop making excuses for our team it shouldn’t take 4 years to build an elite defense Brian Van Gorder needs to go back 2 college the NFL Offensive Coordinators exploit his nickel 3-3-5 package like crazy Tim Lewis has been a D Coordinator before maybe he should get the job The Packers and Jets builded Elite Defenses in 2 years
mgdawg
April 24th, 2011
6:44 pm
I don’t know much about the defensive ends, but I don’t really care if the guy is versatile so that he can also play linebacker. If I want a defensive end, then I want him to play defensive end. I would love to see the falcons pick up durham in the draft or if they can get him as a free agent all the better. To me he is a younger more talented form of finneran, I think he has better hands and speed. Jernigan sounds good from what I’ve heard and noel devine has some serious speed, I don’t know about the other guys. As far as linebacker, cacey matthews sounds good because of the pedigree.
cwltank
April 24th, 2011
8:19 pm
Im tired of reading and talking about predictions. I will wait for the draft. I trust in the Falcons and I believe by not resigning our offense coordinator means we will go in another direction. Hopefully one with mutiple reciever sets.
hiramsaint
April 24th, 2011
10:21 pm
ken , stay on topic and not the other.