With cornerback in fold, here are 5 choices for Falcons (UPDATE II)
Demaryius Thomas give the Falcons great balance at wide receiver.
Given the expected signing by the Falcons of free agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, it probably changes the focus of the team’s draft, at least in the first round. There’s no real reason to take a cornerback, not with so many issues to address.
(UPDATE: Robinson has signed a six-year deal with the Falcons, per Mr. Ledbetter. Details will be forthcoming but here’s a link to his current blog. Nice job by the Falcons.)
Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was a combine standout.
(UPDATE II: Our D. Orlando Ledbetter reports that Robinson’s deal is worth $57 million over six years and has $22.5 million guaranteed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says $25.5 million is guaranteed. At that level, why quibble over a few million?)
The chances of the team drafting a running back in the first round — C.J. Spiller, for example — also likely are dead after Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling were given contract tenders. (Technically, they could still be traded, but that doesn’t seem likely.)
So, having eliminated those two positions, here are five players who could help the Falcons:
♦ Sergio Kindle, Texas outside linebacker: Not sure if he’s still going to be there for the Falcons to take at No. 19. Pray. Kindle was moved to defensive end in 2009 but generally is projected as an NFL linebacker. At 6-4, he could drop into pass coverage, knock down passes and rush the quarterback. He recorded 2 1/2 sacks in the BCS title game against Alabama.
♦ Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri linebacker: He’s not as tall as Kindle (6-1) but was a Butkus Award finalist. He performed well at the combine, and GM Thomas Dimitroff reportedly likes his athleticism, and the fact he has strong instincts.
♦ Carlos Dunlap, Florida defensive end: There have been questions about his character, the most noteworthy incident being a DUI at Florida. If the Falcons have significant doubts for that reason, that’s fine. But Dunlap’s talent is off the charts. He would improve the Falcons’ pass rush rush exponentially. He is 6-6, 290, and had nine sacks and six pass deflections as a junior. He also was the defensive MVP for the Gators in the 2009 BCS national championship win over Oklahoma.
♦ Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech: Going a little outside the box. The Falcons’ need a second receiving threat outside besides Roddy White. Thomas is a strong kid, tough. He is willing to go after the ball. He would provide a nice balance. He is coming off a broken foot but that shouldn’t be a major issue.
♦ Brandon Graham, Michigan defensive end: He’s not huge (6-2, 263) but he has a knack for getting in the backfield. He finished with 29.5 sacks and 56 tackles for loss in his career (including 10.5 sacks in 12 games as a senior). He stood out at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., with five tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble, and was named the game’s MVP.
And if you don’t like any of those selections, how about this one: Our D. Orlando Ledbetter just posted his new mock draft and has the Falcons taking Florida center Maurice Pouncey. He makes a decent case, with Todd McClure nearing the end of his career. Your thoughts?
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
113 comments Add your comment
Mike
March 6th, 2010
12:44 am
Martin – 3 points and our kicker stunk. It won’t take much to take the ‘ain’ts.
Big Ray
March 6th, 2010
3:17 am
A center? Doubt it. Not in the first round.
A receiver? Later in the draft, unless an uncommonly good one drops to us, who can get in there right away and play a minimum of two downs.
A DE? Possible.
An OLB? Also possible.
A DT? Also possible, and don’t laugh. I say this for the following reasons:
1) Peria Jerry is 26 and we don’t even know if he can stay healthy.
2) We have some decent depth with Vance Walker and Thomas Johnson, but beyond that?
3) JA98 is only good against the run. Even then, he doesn’t wow anybody.
4) Management had high hopes for Trey Lewis, but he’s another draft pick that still hasn’t been able to stay healthy (going on 2 years now) and didn’t seem in the flow when he was healthy…
5) TD and MS actually like Abraham, Biermann, and have hopes that Sidbury will learn (faster).
Make no mistake, another pass rush guy is coming. But another DT is too, I think. The only question is, will it be the first round, or later?
Anderson
March 6th, 2010
7:24 am
My top 3 choices would be 1.Weatherspoon 2.Kindle and 3. Graham. Coach Smith likes hybrid players so he may favor olb/de types like Graham and Kindle. I think Weatherspoon has the tangibles/intangibles to be a Pro Bowl player. GM TD sees what I see….athleticism and instincts in ‘Spoon. Some wild card picks…WR Golden Tate,the South Florida DE,and the So Cal DE.Iwouldn’t rule out the Falcons trading down later in the 1st round(if they do not like what’s available @ #19) and picking up a 2nd rd. pick.
Let's Go
March 6th, 2010
7:44 am
Jeff,
Are you getting the Falcons confused with the Raiders?
Yes, the Falcons need another WR but there is no way they take Thomas in the first round. A better bet will be that the Falcons pick up one in free agency but if they address this need in the draft it will be later on in Rounds 4 or 5.
The Real FALCON
March 6th, 2010
8:06 am
KINDLE not the answer: Kindle is a two-year starter for the Longhorns as a defensive end but many will try and project him to outside linebacker in the NFL. He has a good combination of length and athleticism but lacks the bulk needs to be an effective run defender at the next level. He has been a disruptive force penetrating the line of scrimmage in the Longhorns 4-3 front. Kindle runs well but doesn’t have elite speed or range for a stand up player and will need lots of work developing his coverage techniques and awareness. He is inconsistent using his hands to maintain leverage on his opponent and will need to improve in this area both as a pass rusher as well as run defender. Kindle does play hard and has a frame to add at least 20 pounds, which bodes well for his potential as a special team’s contributor as well being utilized as a backup linebacker or edge rusher in sub packages.
We need defense and you want to pick a WR in the first? Pleeeze!
Dunlap has off and on field issues. Why would the Falcons pick him in the first? Aren’t you actually in touch with the team?
Intelligent discourse please.
UGA fans are so ...
March 6th, 2010
8:26 am
Rennie Curran? Are you kidding? Name me ANY UGA product that EVER did anything with the Falcons.
bob
March 6th, 2010
8:52 am
Go for the DE pass rusher. Abe isn’t getting any younger and he needs some help on the DL so he won’t be double teamed all the time. A good pass rushing DE along with Jerry on the inside bodes well for the future.
Navigator
March 6th, 2010
9:09 am
Dumb freakin fans if you believe any professional team is signing or drafting a player because of where they played or didn’t play. I know its difficult for some of you to comprehend, but college is not the pros, you sign or draft the best player available, not matter where they played
1990_Co_Champs_GT
March 6th, 2010
9:12 am
Kindle or ‘Spoon will work. I like D Led’s pick of Pouncey. We really need to focus on keeping Matty Ice upright.
Mountain Man
March 6th, 2010
9:20 am
Unless we pick up John Gault, I am going to pass on my season tickets.
MSS
March 6th, 2010
9:41 am
what ever the Falcons do i will support there decision but i like Spoon and Graham
blackbee
March 6th, 2010
10:00 am
The Falcons got to trade and get a second round pick if they truly want to go after the SUPER BOWL. I say go after a couple of mid-tier free agents. Will Witherspoon was just let go by Eagles at LB aor one of these guys Angelo Crowell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29) Keith Ellison, Buffalo Bills (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Larry Foote, Detroit Lions (30) Omar Gaither, Philadelphia Eagles (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA) Chris Gocong, Philadelphia Eagles (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Clint Ingram, Jacksonville Jaguars (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA) Rashad Jeanty, Cincinnati Bengals (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA) Brandon Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Then draft 1st Weatherspoon, 2nd Mount Cody from Ala. 3rd DB Asante from Neb. 4th Jacoby Ford WR from Clemson, 5th AND 6TH best OL available and Falcons will win SUPER BOWL!
Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Akeem Jordan, Philadelphia Eagles (25) nd Ryan Pickett NT. This free’s up things
Porty
March 6th, 2010
10:03 am
Graham? The Falcons can’t afford to pick someone who “has a knack for getting in the backfield” at the college level at that size. Give me Kindle or ‘Spoon. This Jamal Anderson thing is killing us!
Jim
March 6th, 2010
11:25 am
Greg is right—Dunlap if he is still there. Falcons need every down DE not another pass rushing specialist. Abraham is brittle and getting older. Who cares if Dunlap is a little hard to handle– current coaching staff can handle that.
Falcon Fan
March 6th, 2010
11:49 am
The Real Falcon, what scouting report did you cut and paste that from. That was a terrible assessment of Sergio Kindle. And for those that want Brandon Graham, please explain to me why we would want a short, light DE who didn’t light the world on fire during his college days. There is only one 4-3 DE that I know of with his measurables. Dwight Freeney, whom we knew was going to great in the NFL because he was a beast in college. I can see us going Kindle or Weatherspoon in the first, then looking to find value at the DE in the 3rd. Don’t be surprised if we take a tight end the third or 4th or package one of our compensatory picks with a third rounder to get into the second for Pitta.
Big O
March 6th, 2010
12:08 pm
Take advantage of the unusual depth of talent in the 2010 draft by trading the #19 pick to a #1 to #8 draft order team (if possible) in exchange for that team’s early #2, #3, & #4 picks. At the high #2 pick, take the best OLB available. Maybe Watson(FSU) who is very fast. Then with the 6 picks in rounds #3 and #4 (assumes the compensatory picks too), using “best available” approach, select 6 for depth to reduce impact of season ending injuries. Not necessarily in this order, one quality DT (like Atkins from Georgia), one Safety(maybe from Free Agency?), one more LB (like Edds from Iowa), a TE (Gonzolez may retire after 2010), a Center/Guard, and lastly a WR. In the 5th round, take an OT if it’s a good value.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
March 6th, 2010
12:19 pm
So now, who will be blamed if the Falcons fail for a 3rd straight season?
I mean unless you win playoff games, that’s failure in the NFL.
Until the Falcons fix the “PICK MACHINE” it doesn’t matter how much money they throw at damaged goods.
Now that Joe Flacco has finally received a “real” receiver, we will see an even bigger distance in development between him and the CHOKE
Over the Top
March 6th, 2010
12:25 pm
Sergio Kindle is not a 1st round player, and he nor Graham fit the Falcons’ defense. 255 pound defensive ends do not work in the 4-3.
Bebe will take at LEAST 2 years to fit into an NFL offense, if ever. Remember how Roddy White was thought of his 1st two years? Bebe has a much steeper mountain to climb regarding NFL offenses.
This is a GREAT offensive tackle class. If one of them (Bulaga or the kid from USC) falls to the Falcons, he is the obvious choice. Baker is too injury prone, and we need a franchise LT to protect Ryan.
2nd choice would be Spiller. I don’t know what the Falcons were thinking when they tendered Norwood. That is a real head-scratcher. It makes Spiller a lot less likely.
3rd choice would be to try and trade back to get a later 1st rounder or pick up a 2nd and another 3rd rounder.
4th choice would be Witherspoon. I love the kid and think he will be a great pro, but OLB does not have a lot of positional value in the draft.
5th choice. If, somehow, Morgan or Pierre-Paul slip to the Falcons, that would be a no-brainer. No way either of them does, but Everson Griffen might. He would be a much better choice than Dunlap.
ryan
March 6th, 2010
1:16 pm
I think if the Falcons get a WR it will be free agent with non cap year you get Antonio Bryant from Tampa. With the draft i think the Falcons will get a young DE like Spoon or Dunlap instead of getting overpriced Peppers.
Singletary
March 6th, 2010
2:28 pm
$57 million for an attitude problem? Hmm. Woodsheds aren’t appropriate between grown men, so let’s just hope there was a “Come to Jesus Meeting” AND some really tight contractual language
outlining the (character expectations & rife with bonuses tied only to production.) We are betting our defensive secondary and $25m guaranteed on a guy who publicly flouted his management team.
Singletary
March 6th, 2010
2:33 pm
Oh, yeah, picking a Center is a good call. I see that as more of a need than another LB, but isn’t there some outrageous statistic about how many starting C were walk-ons over the course of the NFL? (38%?)
With cornerback in fold, here are 5 choices for Falcons | Gwinnett DUI Lawyer
March 6th, 2010
2:45 pm
[...] Source [...]
falconidiot
March 6th, 2010
2:56 pm
Protect that QB and best future pick we can make, but i prefer another offensive tackle, one that would even push Baker to the other side.
74Dawg
March 6th, 2010
3:08 pm
if available at 19,my preference would be in this order: Dunlap-excelled while playing against the best. Falcons already have 3 speed rush defensive ends. Imagine Dunlap lined up next to Jerry;2-Kindle;3-Pouncey(same reasoning as Dunlap);4-Graham:5-Joe Haden. Thomas is a reach at 19. Also, I wouldn’t mind them trading down,picking up a second round choice and taking an outside linebacker w/ one choice and an OG with the other.
Crash Mitchell
March 6th, 2010
3:08 pm
I personally think Pouncey would be a great pick in the first. I saw an interview with Gerald Mccoy the DT from Oklahoma and when asked who was the toughest offensive lineman he had ever gone up against he said a guard from Texas whose name I forget and then Maurice Pouncey from Florida. I think OL depth is something that is underrated and if we could get a solid center that would be there with Matt Ryan for the next 10 years I think we have to do that, not to mention the NO.1 DT on some peoples board said he was the toughest OLinemen he faced in his college career. Also it would be even better if we got Maurice Pouncey in the first and could get his brother a lot later in the draft those 2 together could solidify the interior of the line in a year or so with Blalock, Baker, the Pouncey Twins and whoever our future RT is in a year or so but….
It would be hard to pass on Weatherspoon if he is there cause that would be a perfect chance for him to come in and learn from Mike Peterson this next year while he is still here. Spoon and Peterson have very similar playing styles as well and are both vocal leaders and Peterson is the type who is not selfish and stubborn and has said many times Mike Smith brought him here to help teach the younger players and be a vocal leader so it would be a perfect opportunity for him to come in and learn for a year.
Dunlap would be a great addition but I highly doubt TD would pick him just because from what I have seen so far is that he would rather take high character players from smaller schools who have that drive and work ethic and experience over tremendous athletes with character and work ethic concerns so I cant imagine he would pick dunlap. Last year TD did take risks with 2 injury prone players in Jerry and Moore and that bit him in the ass so I cant see him taking a risk like that again.
Also I guarantee he wont pick Sergio Kindle because he picks people that fit their scheme and Kindle doesn’t. Why would he use a first round pick on someone who didn’t even play linebacker last year.
As a wild card, I think that if we could convert Taylor Mays to an OLB he would be a perfect outside linebacker in this scheme because the OLB play a lot coverage and I know his coverage skills aren’t superb but they are better than any OLB in the draft and if you remember last year watching Mike Peterson get burnt several times deep when he had to cover TEs and RBs. The only issue would be if he has the strength to shed blockers and play the run which I doubt and like I said TD probably wouldnt spend a 1st round pick on a player he would have to try and develop/convert to a position he didnt play in college.
My choice for picks in the 1st go in this order;
1. Pouncey and then try and move up in the second and get TCU LB Darryl Washington
2.If not Pouncey then Weatherspoon
3. A DE to replace Abraham eventually, I personally think TD would go Brandon Graham(whose size is close to Abrahams) if he goes DE because he has a tremendous motor and work ethic and is a high character guy with tons of experience, I just dont see him being able to be a 3 down player right away and at first he would just be a situation pass rusher but that would be straight because Biermann and Davis can play on running downs and abraham and graham/sidburry playing in passing situations.
One of the problems Atlanta had was that the secondary couldnt cover long enough and the DE couldnt get to the QB fast enough but with the signing of Dunta Robinson and the emergence of Chris Owens the Falcons should be able to blitz more because the problem before was that they couldnt leave their secondary one on one with WRs which hopefully they could do more now and that would help to get more pressure to the QB and help out the DL by blitzing more.
JKA
March 6th, 2010
4:18 pm
Re: Weatherspoon: check out the following from PFW
OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
For as well as Weatherspoon worked out on the field and for as much as his “character” is praised within the Missouri program, he has turned off a number of decision makers just as much with his outlandish, look-at-me, loudmouth personality and has been criticized for worrying too much about his image and post-football career aspirations before he has accomplished anything in the National Football League. “He never shuts up,” one top executive said. “He was the loudest guy in the room for the bench press. He gives me a headache. I think he is full of (it). It’s all about himself. I don’t want him in my locker room.”
Doesn’t sound like a Smitty/TD kind of guy…..
J-MAN
March 6th, 2010
4:22 pm
I like Itupi from Idaho he was a beast
J-MAN
March 6th, 2010
4:23 pm
a beast in pig tails
Ricky
March 6th, 2010
6:34 pm
We don’t need players who have the potential to bring down the franchise ie Vick.
Carlos Dunlap is an obvious risk, why take it?
Falcons Superbowl Bound
March 6th, 2010
6:55 pm
Anquan Boldin will end up being a problem @ Baltimore, another Peerless Price project.Flacco will struggle, no playoff spot for this team.
PMC
March 6th, 2010
7:37 pm
22.5 is very reasonable for the services of Robinson. The 6 years gives them future cap flexibility and Mr Robinson gets some job security.
I’m pretty happy all in all.
Will
March 6th, 2010
8:57 pm
Tired of hearing how great the Saints are. Vikes had them beat with 5 TURNOVERS. Saints have a drop off this season. Vikes totally dominated them in the stats & should have won.
Todd - Dacula
March 6th, 2010
8:59 pm
Dunlap from the Gators with the 19th in the 1st Round, if he is still available; this coming from a honest Dawg Fan…
Cosmos
March 6th, 2010
9:33 pm
I like Brandon Graham, I was very impressed with his performance at the Senior Bowl. Weatherspoon would be next on my list. D Thomas ain’t going to happen because we’ve got Harry Douglas coming back at receiver. Forget about Carlos Dunlap. They won’t take him because of character issues. All in all I would rather draft CJ Spiller because he is a difference maker on offense and Norwood seems to be hurt a lot.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
March 6th, 2010
9:57 pm
Hope that 57 million will heal that blown knee and zero picks last season.
Rex D
March 6th, 2010
10:14 pm
what is the explanation for Jeria’s (old for 2nd year) age?????
Supa G
March 6th, 2010
10:16 pm
We need Brandon Graham! He is Dwight Freeney in waiting for the Falcons. We need a pass rusher. Abraham had only 3 sacks. He is getting old. Kroy Biermann had 5 sacks and he did not start. A pass rush will help our secondary to become better. Help Dante Robinson, Brent Grimes, Erik Coleman, Chris Houston Thomas DeCoud and Chris Owens out.
A.S.
March 6th, 2010
10:18 pm
I think the Falcons should sign Kapman. Our defense is already very young and we need some experience. I would love to draft Thomas. Atl already missed out on a GT wideout who is tearing it up. His name is Calvin Johnson. Thomas is not as good but i’m sure he learned a lot under Paul Johnson offense.
Tampa Connection
March 6th, 2010
10:27 pm
As an outsider…..just looking….
The Falcons defensive lline is the most lacking unit overall….whether it is depth or lack of stopping the middle up and putting a little more outside pressure on Offenses will help more than anything else.
Add a couple of offensive guys, a center to learn several positions for experience and wideout or an athlete would be very effective also.
Tampa Connection
March 6th, 2010
10:28 pm
By the way Duante Robinson had better return the form from 2 years ago or you guys will start calling him “TOAST ROBINSON” very soon.
surfdawg
March 6th, 2010
10:40 pm
Norwood or Snelling are never gonna be as good as Spiller. Take Spiller in the draft
Delbert D.
March 7th, 2010
12:56 am
Heck, if Thomas is there at 19, why not take him? He’s got super speed for a 230 lb. WR, good hands and can destroy most defenders with his blocking. I’d go with a top LB if available, though.
Spiller is a guy you’d put in on 3rd and long every 4th series and handle kick returns. Nice college player, ought to be a 3rd-4th round pick for a team that has a feature TB.
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » 5 choices for the Atlanta Falcons
March 7th, 2010
1:03 am
[...] Here [...]
Tdawg
March 7th, 2010
1:26 am
I just can’t see how you can pass on a talent like Dunlap if he is still there at 19. Abraham has packed it in and the rest of the d-line is injury phrone. If on the other hand if Spiller is still there, I say grab him. He is a game changer. Hopefully his buddy J Ford will still be there in the 2nd or 3rd round at wr. Another game breaker, after that work on the d and the o-line.
Maxx
March 7th, 2010
3:06 am
I like most of the aforementioned prospects, but I LOVE Spoon and I LOVE Graham, in that order, but would be happy with either one. Dunlap might have had a decent Junior year, but when you turn on the film, he looks like Jamaal Anderson part II. He is definitely not the guy for us. Let me tell you who is even MORE not the guy for the Falcons in the 1st Round: ANY CENTER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. I mean you got to be kidding me with that, DOL basically put the entire Falcons fanbase into panic mode with that prediction, until we all realized it was based in absolutely nothing except for the fact that McClure is getting old. With so many Defensive needs, If Spoon and Graham are on the board at 19 and Dimitroff takes Pouncy, I will $hit a brick and lose all confidence in the direction we are going
Poured myself a vodka
March 7th, 2010
7:23 am
Jeff, those are very good choices for the Falcons, and, if we get them all, the other teams in our division won’t even want to play next season out. They’ll concede the Uberbowl to us unt ve vill taken over der fooseball verlde!!!
MightyQuinn
March 7th, 2010
7:54 am
I remember another Texas linebacker who worked out pretty well for us. Tommy Nobis, anyone?
Archie
March 7th, 2010
8:05 am
If you knock Carlos Dunlap for his DUI, then it’s only fair to do the same for Sergio Kindle. He had a DUI during his sophomore season, and last offseason he crashed his car into an apartment building and left the scene of the crime in the middle of the night.
dean
March 7th, 2010
10:00 am
100th!
Papooh
March 7th, 2010
10:36 am
This is what the Falcons need to do.
1.Sean Weatherspoon OLB/MIZZ
3.Mardy Gilyard WR/CIN
3.Matt tennant C/B.C Matt Ryan’s old center COMP PICK
4.Kyle Calloway OT/Iowa
4.Austen Lane DE/MURst COMP PICK
5.Ed Dickerson TE/ORE
6.Walter Thermond CB/ORE
7.LeRoy Vann PR-KR/Fla A&M COMP PICK
I CAN SEE INTO THE FUTURE LOL
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6.