Falcons could pick a left tackle in second round
Iowa State offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele (72) celebrates a win over Oklahoma State on Nov. 18 at Jack Trice Stadium. (By Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)
Despite coach Mike Smith’s support for left tackle Sam Baker, a few more signs are pointing toward the Falcons addressing the position in the upcoming draft.
On March 14, the Falcons had left tackle Demetress (formerly spelled Demetrius) Bell, guards Jake Scott and Adam Snyder in for visits.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Bell last Wednesday after Jason Peters ruptured his right Achilles tendon.
Scott (6-5, 283) played right guard with the Colts (2004-07) and Titans (2008-11). He started 121 games and played in 124 NFL games.
Snyder (6-5, 316) played seven seasons for San Francisco (2005-2011). He started 69 of 107 games over his career.
The Falcons have also worked out Delaware guard/center Gino Gradkowski, Iowa State left tackle Kelechi Osemele, California left tackle Mitchell Schwartz and Oklahoma left tackle Donald Stephenson, according to the ProFootbalTalk.com’s visit tracker.
Gradkowski (6-2, 299) is the 8th best center in the draft according to Pro Football Weekly.
Osemele (6-5, 320) is the 12th rated tackle. (Second to third round projection).
Schwartz (6-5, 319) is the fifth rated tackle. (Second to third round projection).
Stephenson (6-5, 312) is the 14 rated tackle. (Fourth to fifth round projection) Stephenson dazzled scouts at the combine and has to the measurables to project as an NFL starter, but he was just a one-year starter for the Sooners.
“I think it’s more likely that they are looking at improving their offensive and defensive lines,” Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki said when I asked him about the tight ends in the draft. “Those are the highest priority areas on that team. They really struggled on the offensive line a year ago.”
The Falcons, after struggling in short yardage situations last season, are clearly trying to get bigger up front.
“I think they’ve got to. . . figure out what they want to be on that line,” Nawrocki said. “They’ve kind of got a hodge-podge of guys that don’t truly fit a power blocking scheme. They are not necessarily a zone or movement type unit either. It’s kind of a mixture.
“I think they really have to solidify what they really want to become. They’d like to get bigger and establish the ground game. I think that’s where Mike Smith would like to go.”
Another name to add to the list of prospects is Miami of Ohio guard Brandon Brooks.
“I could see them really concentrating on the offensive line,” Nawrocki said. “The guard from Miami of Ohio, Brandon Brooks, who was not invited to the combine, is a player to watch. After his pro day, I think he’ll get into the second round. I think he’d be a nice fit for a team like the Falcons.”
Here are some of the other DRAFT SPOTLIGHTS:
Draft spotlight: Alabama NT Josh Chapman
Draft spotlight: Florida State LT Zebrie Sanders
Draft spotlight: Montana CB Trumaine Johnson
Draft spotlight: Virginia Tech RB David Wilson
Draft spotlight: Clemson DE Andre Branch
Draft spotlight: Marshall DE Vinny Curry
ProFootballTalk.com’s visit tracker
Players that the Atlanta Falcons reportedly held a workout with, visited the team facility or both.
Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles.
Alabama defensive tackle Josh Chapman.
Vanderbilt defensive end Tim Fugger.
Delaware guard/center Gino Gradkowski.
Louisiana-Lafayette tight end Ladarius Green.
Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward. Click here for STORY.
South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram.
Montana defensive back Trumaine Johnson. Click here for STORY.
Cincinnati tight end Adrien Robinson.
California offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz.
Virginia Tech running back David Wilson.
Iowa State offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele.
Oklahoma offensive tackle Donald Stephenson.
Illinois safety Tavon Wilson.
Falcons Draft Selections
The Falcons traded away their first and fourth round picks of the 2012 draft as part of the Julio Jones trade with the Cleveland Browns.
2nd Round (No. 55 overall)
3rd Round (No. 84 overall)
5th Round (No. 157 overall)
6th Round (No. 192 overall)
7th Round (No. 229 overall)
7th Round (Compensatory Selection, No. 249 overall)
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–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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81 comments Add your comment
Coach LockDown
April 9th, 2012
11:38 am
The Falcons better sure up their offensive line quickly for reasons being that
Matt Ryan is not the most mobile of QB most D Coordinators know that. His eyes consistantly come off the route concepts downfield and see’s the pressure in front of him. He’s very uncomfortable with the protection he’s getting and he doesn’t have outlets to get rid of the ball quickly. Tony G is great with short routes, but he doesn’t threaten a defense vertically anymore. Harry D. is too inconsistant and defense won’t respect him enough to dedicate more coverage on him. There is no “big play” run threat in their arsenal, and that is why Julio and Roddy will have to deal with bracket coverage and safeties over the top, We gave up what we did for more explosion of the offense, but when your only threats are the furthest from from the ball, it makes it easy for the defense. Is Michael Vick a better QB than Ryan? that’s debatable, but his ability to pull it down or move the pocket makes the defense have to respect his playmaking ability. Look at the Top QBs in the game today…They either have a strong inside vertical threat(TE or Slot) and outside threat or they have a strong OL that can either pound or protect. I hinted that the Falc’s should have invested a few pennies in Steve Smith who signed with the Rams because if he returns to his 2009 form, it would be scary to think of him in this offense. We need to sure up that O-Line or become a better running team or we are looking at another 10-6 season and quick bounce from the playoffs.
PlanB
April 9th, 2012
11:38 am
We gave up many draft choices to bring us a great offense. It is only held back because MR has no time to throw. When he gets time to throw and cannot, we will deal with that later. Until then we need a good OL. What ever it takes.
We have great recievers with RW, JJ, HD and TG. We can have a good receiving backfield with Snelling & Quizz. That is also RB’s with power (Snelling) & speed(Quizz). Check Snelling’s YPC while filling in for Turner, year before last when Turner was injured. I don’t care if Turner is a 1300/year RB. We are fine with Snelling and Quizz and may be able to get a pick for Turner before he is used up. Maybe an OL.
MS gave him too many carries and used him up while keeping the capable Snelling & Quizz on the sideline.
Jeff B
April 9th, 2012
11:39 am
I don’t know what games “Wet Willie” is watching… so far, Rogers is turning out GREAT for a 5th-round pick. He’s a great 3rd-down back, and maybe more.
PlanB
April 9th, 2012
11:52 am
We need an OL. Don’t care how we get it just as long as we do. Our other talent is diminished by not having one.
D'ville Phil
April 9th, 2012
11:58 am
#2-055) Brandon Brooks, RG-Miami OH 6′5″, 343lbs STRONG 4.99/40 Carl Nicks Clone
#3-084) Josh Chapman, DT-Alabama 6′1″, 316lbs and plays NT, brings physicality-Jan ACL surgery
#5-157) Nate Potter, LT-Boise State 6′6″ 303lbs, good pass blocker, needs to get stronger
#6-192) Miles Burris, OLB-San Diego State 6′2″, 246lbs, 4.67/40 more of a 3-4 hybrid type LB
#7-192) Chase Ford, TE-Miami 6′6″ 245lbs raw tight end project
#7-229) Dominque Davis, QB-East Carolina 6′3″ 210lbs, 4.65/40 over 65% completion rate
what,what,what??
April 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
Good,informative piece D-LED
D'ville Phil
April 9th, 2012
1:48 pm
D-Led, Falcons bring in Demetrius Bell, LT-Bills on March 14th and today is April 9th……kind of a lag period between the Bell meeting/workout and when you report it, don’t ‘cha think?
Whopper Dawg
April 9th, 2012
2:02 pm
@Chirs – I understand the complimentary argument. But in the Turner/Jones case, it didn’t work that way. Turner’s yard per carry were 4.5, he has done that or better three out of the four years he has been with the Falcons, and the last year he was 4.1. So the effect of Jones on the running game has been negligible on the running game. Additionally, Turner had four of his best games last year when Jones was out, so that really even goes the other way.
And all that speaks to my point and Mr. Nawrocki’s point. The Falcons need to figure out who they want to be when they grow up. Right now, they don’t know. And that’s a problem.
Rowland Jenkins
April 9th, 2012
2:20 pm
Get an outdoor stadium now !!!!
This team will never be able to compete in an old dump like the Georgia Dome.
How often is it 40 degrees and raining in Atlanta anyway ?
Once every 4 years or so ?
NFL Rumors : NFL Draft : NFLTradeRumors.co Falcons Looking To Address Their Offensive Line In The 2nd Rd? | NFL Trade Rumors
April 9th, 2012
2:32 pm
[...] to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that there are a number of signs suggesting that the Falcons will look to add an offensive [...]
Sid
April 9th, 2012
2:36 pm
The Real Falcon
April 9th, 2012
8:07 am
Exactly why is there no mention of a TE to fill in for Gonzo when he retires after this season?
***************************************************
Plenty of mock’s have Falcons going TE.
Falcons could pick a left tackle in second round | NFL Online News
April 9th, 2012
3:20 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged could, Falcons, left, pick, round, second, tackle. Bookmark the permalink. ← Giants sign free agent safety Stevie Brown (The Canadian Press) [...]
GDawg
April 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
@ D’ville Phil that is not affiliated with me Bell signed with Philly.
Careful Curmudgeon
April 9th, 2012
4:05 pm
Addressing the LT position through the draft would be a very shrewd move by TD and Smitty.
Left Coast Dawg
April 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
@hbcuclassic – the last report I read had Chris Rainey running a 4.5 40yard dash at the combine. Think a few run in’s with the law might have slowed him down a step or two??
AlanFalcon
April 9th, 2012
5:00 pm
Sure hope that the Falcons make a good splash and don’t sit on their laurels like Frank and the Braves have, just don’t think I could handle that.
smart and tough is what we need
April 9th, 2012
5:04 pm
Schwartz or Gradkowski sounds nice….Gino Gradkowski … Italian Pole? He’s gotta be a tough player.
OL, DL, DB, and LB's
April 9th, 2012
5:06 pm
About time they seek out OL
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 9th, 2012
5:26 pm
D’ville Phil — Slipped under the radar I guess. But when I get it, I pass it along.
Larry Jabo Willis
April 9th, 2012
5:31 pm
It takes at least 4 years on the job to be a good lineman. So we are talking about at least that far into the future. Sam should have at least 2 more years if not 4 to play. he can also help the new ones starting out.
hbcuclassics
April 9th, 2012
5:39 pm
03/14/2012 – Chris Rainey didn’t run the 4.1-second 40-yard dash he boasted about before the NFL Combine, but the 5-foot-9, 180-pound speedster clocked times of 4.3 and 4.33 Tuesday. “I did great, man, way better than the combine, I know that,” Rainey said. “That 40 time, I’ve been thinking about that for the longest, and I had to come out here and redeem myself.”
Strengths: Perhaps the most explosive cutting ability and straight-line speed of any athlete in the 2012 draft. Can make defenders look silly due to his lateral agility and sudden acceleration. Versatile. Saw time as a running back, receiver, punt returner and kick returner for the Gators … Looks natural catching the ball out of the backfield and has shown the ability to track the ball over his shoulder and snatch passes outside of his frame… Explosive burst led to his breaking the school and SEC record with six blocked punts.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1273191/chris-rainey
Atlanta Falcons | Skinny Post
April 10th, 2012
12:31 am
[...] – Rotoworld.com Falcons want to help John Abraham 04/09 – ESPN.com NFL Nation Blog Falcons could pick a left tackle in second round 04/09 – ajc.com Falcons Blog Koetter’s Blueprint 04/08 – atlantafalcons.com [...]
FalcFans.com » 2012 Falcons Free Agent Tracker
April 10th, 2012
7:10 am
[...] Demetress Bell, Bills (Source: AJC.com; signed with Philadelphia Eagles on 4/4) DE Kendall Langford, Dolphins (Source: AJC.com; signed [...]
Jimmy Crack
April 10th, 2012
3:35 pm
Take him, I don’t care anymore. Just kidding, but I can’t take much more of this. Looking at the big picture, our team is nothing right now without Matt feeling comfortable. Take the biggest, meanest big ugly you can find, TD.
Jimmy Crack
April 10th, 2012
3:36 pm
Maybe my sentences
Jimmy Crack
April 10th, 2012
3:36 pm
Are too long
Jimmy Crack
April 10th, 2012
3:36 pm
For the gerbils
Jimmy Crack
April 10th, 2012
3:37 pm
Who run this website
Jimmy Crack
April 10th, 2012
3:37 pm
Tuckus clowns.
Billie
April 10th, 2012
4:43 pm
Nothing from nothing still leaves nothing.
EB
April 10th, 2012
5:07 pm
I want to see a new coach added myself, Smith (a defensive coach mind you) has had PLENTY of time to fix BOTH sides of the ball and has a solid GM helping him but it has NOT panned out for Falcon fans!! This is the last season for me with Smith, if he can’t get a better oline on the field to block for for Turner AND Rodgers, as well as protect his star QB (who has struggled mightily with accuracy issues of late), he needs to be replaced for a coach who will fix things on the field! We have a solid offense but we just need 10 stud players to play effectively on the oline!! The defense has also been a HUGE weakness and Smith has no answers for why he can’t get LB’s who will stop the run or a secondary who doesn’t give up pass after pass, and a front four who can’t get after the QB consistently!! Please Blank, start looking for a better qualified coach NOW, so we will be properly prepared to replace Smith, as soon as things look exactly like they have the past few years!!!