NFL mock drafts say Falcons going defense (maybe Kindle)
Is Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle the answer for the Falcons' defensive problems?
With the 19th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons will select . . . somebody on defense.
That is the consensus, as four mock drafts — including that of ESPN’s Mel Kiper, which was released Wednesday (requires subscription) — have the Falcons taking four different defensive players. Kiper, whose draft is listed below, projects the Falcons will select Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle:
The Falcons could use some help at OLB, and Kindle’s continued improvement throughout the season is appealing. He’s not quite in the class of [former Texas linebacker] Brian Orakpo, but he’s a similar type of player, and has also proven to be very physical.
Kiper has 21 underclassmen going in the first round, including Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan (sixth to Seattle) and running back Jonathan Dwyer (28th to San Diego). Morgan and Dwyer both will be gone in the first round according to two other mocks, listed below.
Last week, I blogged about the Falcons preparing for a coin flip to decide the 19th pick, and threw out five appealing players who might be available when they select. Maybe before draft day, I’ll do an actual mock and then we can all compare inaccuracies. Until then, here are a few others:
♦ Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has his mock draft up. You’ll know it by the headline, “Mock draft 1.0: Where’s Tim Tebow? Not in this first round.”
Brooks has Morgan going fifth overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has the Falcons taking Penn State linebacker Navorro Bowman.
Mike Smith needs a playmaker at the weakside linebacker spot, and Bowman’s athleticism fits the bill.
♦ The FootballExpert.com, which must be accurate because, like, look at the name, has the Falcons taking Mississippi defensive end Greg Hardy.
The Falcons have to close the book on Jamaal Anderson who has not lived up to his top 10 pick status, and while it is possible [Kroy] Biermann or [Lawrence] Sidbury can step up their game the problem is compounded by John Abraham’s declining play. Of course, they also missed having #24 overall pick Peria Jerry at defensive tackle. He missed almost his entire rookie season. It seems almost counter-intuitive for them to spend another first rounder on an injury risk Rebel defensive lineman, doesn’t it? Maybe, but if you watched [Jerry and Hardy] together in 2008 this duo was formidable.
The same website has Morgan going 11th to Jacksonville and Dwyer going 28th to San Diego.
♦ NewNFLDraft.com has the Falcons taking cornerback Donovan Warren of Michigan.
The Falcons hurt a little bit in the 2009 NFL Season because of injuries. I think they need to get some play makers in this 2010 NFL Mock draft in order to get to the next level. Dowling is a great athletic CB who can help the Falcons in all packages immediately.
The same website has Morgan going eighth overall to the Oakland Raiders (God, save his soul) and Dwyer 24th to the New England Patriots.
♦
Here is Mel Kiper’s mock first round:
Team Player Pos. College
1. St. Louis Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
2. Detroit Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
3. Tampa Bay Eric Berry S Tennessee
4. Washington Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
5. Kansas City Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State
6. Seattle Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
7. Cleveland Joe Haden CB Florida
8. Oakland Anthony Davis OT Rutgers
9. Buffalo Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame
10. Denver Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
11. Jacksonville Jason Pierre-Paul DE South Florida
12. Miami Rolando McClain LB Alabama
13. San Francisco Trent Williams OT Oklahoma
14. Seattle C.J. Spiller RB Clemson
15. N.Y. Giants Carlos Dunlap DE Florida
16. San Francisco Earl Thomas S Texas
17. Tennessee Everson Griffen DE USC
18. Pittsburgh Brian Bulaga OT Iowa
19. Atlanta Sergio Kindle LB Texas
20. Houston Brian Price DT UCLA
21. Cincinnati Aaron Hernandez TE Florida
22. New England Ricky Sapp LB Clemson
23. Green Bay Taylor Mays S USC
24. Philadelphia Navorro Bowman LB Penn State
25. Baltimore Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma
26. Arizona Dan Williams DT Tennessee
27. Dallas Bruce Campbell OT Maryland
28. San Diego Jonathan Dwyer RB Georgia Tech
29. N.Y. Jets Golden Tate WR Notre Dame
30. Minnesota Patrick Robinson CB Florida State
31. New Orleans Jared Odrick DT Penn State
32. Indianapolis Brandon Graham DE Michigan
♦
Here’s NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks’ mock draft
Team Player Pos. College
1. St. Louis Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska
2. Detroit Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State
3. Tampa Bay Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma
4. Washington Trent Williams OT Oklahoma
5. Kansas City Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech
6. Seattle Carlos Dunlap DE Florida
7. Cleveland Anthony Davis OT Rutgers
8. Oakland Jason Pierre-Paul DE South Florida
9. Buffalo Bruce Campbell OT Maryland
10. Jacksonville Brian Price DT UCLA
11. Denver Rolando McClain LB Alabama
12. Miami Sergio Kindle LB Texas
13. San Francisco Eric Berry S Tennessee
14. Seattle Charles Brown OT USC
15. N.Y. Giants Brandon Spikes LB Florida
16. San Francisco Joe Haden CB Florida
17. Tennessee Everson Griffen DE USC
18. Pittsburgh Patrick Robinson CB Florida State
19. Atlanta Navorro Bowman LB Penn State
20. Houston Earl Thomas S Texas
21. Cincinnati Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State
22. New England Ricky Sapp LB Clemson
23. Green Bay Jahvid Best RB California
24. Philadelphia Taylor Mays S USC
25. Baltimore Arrelious Benn WR Illinois
26. Arizona Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma
27. Dallas Bryan Bulaga OT Iowa
28. San Diego C.J. Spiller RB Clemson
29. N.Y. Jets Damian Williams WR USC
30. Minnesota Terrence Cody DT Alabama
31. New Orleans Selvish Capers OT West Virginia
32. Indianapolis Jared Odrick DT Penn State
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153 comments Add your comment
GT GRAD
January 20th, 2010
5:58 pm
I think the birds have several obvious needs………
I also think CJ Spiller will be a great NFL player for many years; if he is available at #19, the Falcons should select CJ.
They need CB, LB, DE, OG, OT & maybe even another DL (if a really talented DL is available).
I would also draft Demarious Thomas (WR from GT) if you can get him in the 3rd or 4th round (especially if you can trade Jenkins for a draft pick or another starting caliber player)……………Jenkins is simple not a solid #2 WR and D.Thomas will be a VERY good WR in the NFL!!
The Falcons brass want to get to the point where we draft based strictly on best available talent; I think it is safe to say we are not quite there just yet.
I think our late round OT pick from last year (Garrett Reynolds) will develop into a solid player and I hope DL Vance Walker earns a spot as a starter next season with stellar play! I did not see anything special during the preseason from our new first round pick DL Jerry………….I hope he is not another SEC bust!!!
I trust the Falcons decision makers, but drafting NFL players is obviously not an exact science; the Falcons need a little luck to go along with the good decisions.
This seems like a deep draft; it is a shame the Falcons do not have more draft picks considering all of the needs! They will have more picks than most teams and I also expect some free agent action since our salary cap situation looks really good with the house cleaning over the past two years and the Vick signing bonus impact finally minimized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe B.
January 20th, 2010
5:59 pm
Why was Emmit Thomas let go? Anyone know? I thought that Grimes, Owens and DeCoud really improved, and lord knows, Thomas has seen everything there is to see.
Anyone got the scoop?
wxwax
January 20th, 2010
6:03 pm
I just hope that Dimitroff resists the urge to draft yet more injury-prone players.
It’s becoming his unfortunate trademark.
GT GRAD
January 20th, 2010
6:03 pm
I agree the birds should seriously consider trading the 1st round pick for a late 1st round and a 2nd round pick if they can find a team willing to make the trade………………….probably not likely considering the perceived depth of the draft this year.
Joe B.
January 20th, 2010
6:04 pm
Demariyus Thomas is going to be a coach’s nightmare. He is just going to stare blankly when asked to run an ‘in-route’ or a ‘post.’
I love the kid’s physical ability, but he is just like Michael Jenkins, except someone is going to have make Bebe their pet project next year, literally teaching him what a real, NFL offense is supposed to look like every day.
Jenkins was a much better #2 when Harry Douglas was there to break the defense down. Douglas will be back this year and adds a dimension that the Falcons missed all season.
I love, love Spiller, and think he has to be the choice if there at 19, but don’t see any way that is possible.
GT GRAD
January 20th, 2010
6:08 pm
Dimitrof drafts players who have had injuries during their Senior year (or Junior year for early entries), because the team ends up with a much better player IN THE LONG RUN!
The injury or injuries might effect the plater for one year (Rookie season), but the team has an impact player from a later round draft pick when the player recovers completely from the injury…………….it is a solid long term strategy that makes a lot of sense if you think it through.
jerry
January 20th, 2010
6:17 pm
If Turner is healthy what is Spiller gonna do? He’s gonna sit on his a$$ all year just like John Parker Wilson did. That’s a big help. Ridiculous.
JJ
January 20th, 2010
6:19 pm
If Morgan(DE), Haden(CB) or Spiller(RB) are there, sprint to the podium. After them, their are no DE/CB worth the risk in the 1st rd. Most of them projected have injury issues or motivation/work ethic problems. TD cannot take another risk on a kid who has past injury problems. So with those 3 probably being long gone, we need to shore up our OL with Buluga (OT). He could start at LT possibly and move baker to right. The other option is the best rushing OLB available, kindle or spoon have been mentioned. P.Robinson (CB_FSU) is not a 1st rd. CB. Wouldnt mind trading back into the 2nd either. We need to pick up a OC in one of our 3rd rd. pks. McClure is going to retire soon.
THE CURSE OF BRETT FAVRE LIVES IN ATL
January 20th, 2010
6:20 pm
JEFF LOOK AT THE SAINTS,VIKINGS,COLTS,CHARGERS,COWBOYS,EAGLES AND PATRIOTS,THEY ALL HAVE GREAT WIDEOUTS! WHAT DO WE HAVE BESIDES RODDY WHITE? WE NEED SOMEONE ELSE OTHER THAN MIKE(BUTTERFINGERS)JENKINS,CAN HARRY DOUGLAS STAY HEALTHY? WE NEED DEXTER MCCLUSTER FROM OLE MISS(22),NOT CJ SPILLER,HE CANT STAY HEALTHY! CUT RUN STRAIGHT TO THE PILE JERIOUS NORWOOD!
THE CURSE OF BRETT FAVRE LIVES IN ATL
January 20th, 2010
6:22 pm
SPEED SPEED SPEED IS WHAT WE NEED ON OFFENCE! GET RID OF THOSE TINY CORNERBACKS ON DEFENSE!
D-Bird
January 20th, 2010
6:25 pm
Mr BLanks,
Here me (ATL FAN) cry! I have been a fateful season ticket holder for the last 8 years. I clearly understand the need to raise ticket prices every year to compete with out competitors. No Problem! I do find a problems with not having a (High Profile) player that will continue the sell out the Dome. Matty Ice was very cold this season, John Abraham was a little slower than his previous break out season. Rodey White is looking like he has falling into his own. Adding a CJ Spiler or Golden Tate will raise alot of eyebrows. Go Falcons!
All I'm Saying Is...
January 20th, 2010
6:29 pm
Philosophically, I don’t like the idea of drafting a linebacker so high unless they are a can’t miss physical specimen beast (i.e Brian Urlacher or Lawrence Taylor).
Excellent defensive or offensive lineman and cornerbacks are much harder to find and more justifiable in spending a first round draft pick to get.
I think we have to assume Jerry comes back and plays well and that Abraham shows his pride and bounces back especially with a push in the middle. I also think we can pick up via free agency any quality linebackers we need.
Therefore, depending on who is available spend the first round pick on an outstanding corner (maybe Joe Haden as he’s taken at #7 or #16 on these two mock drafts alone) or another defensive end and trade/release Jamaal.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
hiramsaint
January 20th, 2010
6:36 pm
Y A W N ! can ya draft anew coach ? i’m just sayin’!
D-Bird
January 20th, 2010
6:38 pm
I agree speed is much needed to improve our offense! 6′4 and taller recivers have dominated the game such far. Brandon Marshall from the
Denver Broncos would look very nice across from Mr $60 Million Dollar man. Please keep in mind I would select a shut down corner (someone you can leave on an island by them selves) and play whatever defense to win the game. When I say shut down corner: *2 WORDS* Darrelle Revis New York Jet!
willie
January 20th, 2010
6:45 pm
D-Bird, there is one shutdown corner in the whole NFL and you named him….they are impossible to find.
I normally don't post
January 20th, 2010
6:47 pm
It would be a travesty not to select Brandon Spikes (Florida Gators) if he is on the board. He is the next Ray Lewis. He is a natural leader who brings the best out of everyone around him. He is the emotional hard hitter the defense lacks…If we dont get him I hope he goes to the AFC West Division so we want play against him often…
Bird Draft
January 20th, 2010
6:57 pm
Bradford is the first QB taken but not until 26th in Bucky’s mock?
I think Mel is right about that one, I think there will be a few QB needs in the first round (instead of just 1) and one of those picks will probably be a top 10.
This year’s QB class isn’t as great as previous years, if you need one in the first round you go for him instead of getting another guy and hoping the QB you have your eye on makes it to the 2nd round.
MAD-DONNA
January 20th, 2010
6:58 pm
It does not matter who we pick in the first round, Smith is not giving him any playing time! Oh my bad, That’s Woodson’s m.o.!
Sam The Man
January 20th, 2010
7:04 pm
i like trading down and grabbing patrick robinson of FSU. he’s big, physical DB/S. We need that. Bad.
WILLTHETHRILL
January 20th, 2010
7:15 pm
MAN WE NEED TO TRADE UP OR SOMETHING TO GET A SHUT DOWN CORNER, THE ONLY THING WE EVER HAD WAS DEAGELO FALL(WHO WAS SUSPECT) AND WE NEED A PASS RUSH SO A DE WOULD BE NICE TO TAKE OVER FROM THE FRAIL JOHN ABRAHAM AND THE MOST SUSPECT PLAYER WE HAVE IN JAMAAL ANDERSON
#1 Falcon Fan
January 20th, 2010
7:17 pm
the Falcons need a pass rusher…all the talk about our secondary being bad..your pass defense is only as good as your pass rush and we had no pass rush in 2009…you can’t expect a CB to cover a WR for 8,9, 10 seconds when the QB has that much time in the pocket..your secondary will get killed every game. We need a big DT or fast DE in the 1st round!
WILLTHETHRILL
January 20th, 2010
7:21 pm
SAM THE MAN MAKES A GOOD POINT WE COULD TRADE DOWN GET PATRICK ROBINSON FOR MORE PICKS. LETS HOPE THEY DONT SCREW IT UP.
Limbaugh is Fat
January 20th, 2010
7:31 pm
Can’t wait to see the anti-abortion commercial from Tebow and his mommy during the Super Bowl. Just what I need–another self-righteous sob telling me what to do. I hope Tebow gets drafted and severely injured in his rookie season. Sorry folks, he’s not God.
D(r)ooley
January 20th, 2010
7:50 pm
Those confused Dawgs going into the draft are going to be watching a lot of Gators go up to that podium before they will. And to think Curran is only going because the alumni cut him off after the 5 loss season and he needs diaper money.
Dunkley
January 20th, 2010
7:54 pm
No Gators want to play for the Falcons and they are all crossing their fingers that the birds don’t select one of them. They know UGA fans are ridiculous and they have heard many stories about the Falcon “faithful.” UGA fans leave games at the start of the 4th quarter when their “beloved” Dawgs are down 2 Touchdowns.
harold
January 20th, 2010
8:47 pm
Eric Berry is the best football player I may have ever seen. He will knock your head off. He has speed and power. He makes things happen and can change the game. Berry is Instant Offense after he intercepts a football.
David C
January 20th, 2010
8:48 pm
JustCurious makes a valid point. Printing Kipers’ whole 1st round here is a theft of intellectual property (insert joke here). Once the NYT and eventually other news sources go to paid content this could very well be viewed as a crime.
Baba O'Riley
January 20th, 2010
9:04 pm
harold- I think that’s a stretch. if he’s the best you’ve EVER seen and NOBODY has him going #1 in this year’s draft, you need to watch more football.
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
January 20th, 2010
9:10 pm
It’s simple: at #19 the best “AVAILABLE” D-Lineman or LB–unless, by some miracle, Eric Berry is still here. Make sure we don’t draft anyone from Arkansas, V-Tech, or Nebraska.
sugardog
January 20th, 2010
9:19 pm
I’m sure everyjoe.com or Newscom love that you stole the photograph (I’ll go for stealing the photo since you’ve already been called out for stealing text material). But I’m sure all you care about is getting more hits!
waw
January 20th, 2010
9:20 pm
One more vote for OT. Ball control offense is Smith’s first defense.
Mike in Savannah
January 20th, 2010
9:24 pm
If Spiller is gone by 19, why not take a flier on Charles Scott from LSU later in the draft?
DrJ
January 20th, 2010
9:42 pm
Most important thing is “Saving Matt Ryan” from injury: whatever it takes in the OL. I don’t know if TD wants to keep Norwood, as he might be tempted with his lower salary, but I would rather see Spiller in that slot. I guess we are stuck with Jenkins due to his contract, but I sure would like to replace him with Golden Tate, if he were available. But it sure looks like TD will have to work his later rounds’ magic this year.
Mike in Savannah
January 20th, 2010
9:49 pm
Why would we draft ANOTHER receiver? We have Harry Douglas coming back next year. You know, the guy that exploded the second half of his rookie season.
Cheeseburger ..
January 20th, 2010
10:00 pm
The steal of the draft will be LeGarrett Blount in the fouth round, projected as a first rounder, the “punk scouts”, who soooooo publicity cautious will pass on him, and Atl needs a back-up!
MarkTwain
January 20th, 2010
10:25 pm
Joe B.- You are dead on with your need assessment. If we fail to address O-line in this draft you can forget 3 winning seasons. Sam Baker either gives a poor effort or does not have the talent to start in this league. Blalock gets over-extended and slides off blocks too easy. Todd McClure is ancient. I’m still pissed at the Falcons for passing on Carl Nicks. Pay Clabo and Dahl. I think one more year is one too long without another running back, but I’d prefer trading down for Dwyer. SERGIO KINDLE IS JAMAL ANDERSON PART II.
hiramhornet04
January 20th, 2010
10:32 pm
DRAFT THE 2ND OR 3RD BEST CB in College football….UK-#32 trevard Lindley. I went to and graduated Hiram High School with him in 2004
MarkTwain
January 20th, 2010
10:36 pm
When you say Harry Douglas is coming back, do you mean to the team or back to 4.49? I just want to know if you are in touch with the reality of knee injuries and speed merchants. Jordan Shipley will be the steal of the draft. Razor sharp routes and drops nothing. Bama’s D couldn’t stop him and their secondary would be an upgrade to ours. Look for him to get drafted by an intelligent team that is more dazzled by people who don’t drop balls that hit them in the hands.
gatorman770
January 20th, 2010
11:12 pm
What…No Joe Cox in first round? Oh that’s right he cried on the sideline after losing the first game of his long career to Arizona State this year.
hawesg
January 20th, 2010
11:13 pm
With the 19th overall pick, the Atlanta Falcons select Jean Pierre-Paul.
cdog
January 20th, 2010
11:17 pm
the falcons would be wise to take dez bryant with their pick if he’s available. they need a reciever to compliment roddy white
Oh you didn't know?
January 20th, 2010
11:18 pm
JOE COX FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!!…(maybe if the XFL comes back) Truthfully, I think Spiller would be the best choice if he is still available. Defense is needed, but with our RB’s being as fragil as glass, I think Spiller could be a great addition. If he is not still on the board, then I would have to take the LB from Texas. He is coming from a great pro-style defense under Muschamp, and I think we could all be pleasantly surprised.
Tokyo jacket
January 20th, 2010
11:55 pm
If Bebe is still on the board at #42, I really hope the Dolphins pull that trigger.
danalexander
January 20th, 2010
11:57 pm
falcons need to get rennie curran for their OLB spot. and get a good DE like an everson griffin from USC. then go down the line of needs from there. another slot WR and make a trade involving jerious norwood and jamaal anderson to get cj spiller.
ATLPhotog
January 21st, 2010
12:06 am
What about Toby Gerhart RB from Stanford?? He has declared eligible for the draft and you see that Turner needs a breather every now and then, plus Norwood is so-so. Plus the man is tough and has that Riggins/Rathmann type of quality. Especially when you need him to pound out the yards.
Eric
January 21st, 2010
12:17 am
All the Falcons linebackers played pretty good last year, they don’t need that. What they do need is another secondary player, safety or cornerback. The Falcons were once again near the bottom against pass. I say trade up to get Eric Berry, or just take the best available at 19.
Arthur Blank
January 21st, 2010
12:24 am
All this talk about trading Jerious Norwood is crazy, the man averaged nearly 5 yds per carry for two years before he got banged up this season. This man runs the ball like it’s the last carry of his life. Turner would be traded before Norwood, so stop it!!!
Eric
January 21st, 2010
12:28 am
Jordan Shipley would be nice at 19.
Heinrich Himmler
January 21st, 2010
1:18 am
im really to excited two go too bed
BO Run The Ball
January 21st, 2010
2:48 am
Please select CJ Spiller, Clemson in the 1st Rd and backup quarterback from Central Michigan, Dan LeFevour in the 2nd or 3rd Rds.
CJ can play several position KR,PKR,RB and SB and Dan can back up M. Ryan incase he get hurt.