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?
♦
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113 comments Add your comment
Commander Shepard
March 7th, 2010
2:07 pm
Trade down and get a 2nd rounder. Draft Pitta.
Jeff Schultz
March 7th, 2010
2:25 pm
The one and only …. No race-baiting allowed on this blog. Thank you.
patrick
March 7th, 2010
3:09 pm
I hope they grab Sean Weatherspoon with the first, get someone like Jason Worilds with the 3rd. and for a WR Barnes from Bowling Green with 4.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
March 7th, 2010
3:59 pm
im such a fag, im such a fag, im such a fag
im such a fag, im such a fag, im such a fag
im such a fag, im such a fag, im such a fag
im such a fag, im such a fag, im such a fag
im such a fag, im such a fag, im such a fag
and i have no life, so i just sit at home crying by myself
Martin
March 7th, 2010
5:21 pm
One blogge mentiioned that he’s tired of hearing about how good the saints are and how the Vikings had more stats then the saints and how tthe vikes should have one the game. Guess what dude, the colts had better stats then the saints also. Now tell me what was the final score in both games, I’ll let you think about it for a second. Ok, now tell me who is the super bowl champs, not the Vikings and not the colts, it’s the team that did not have the stats in both games, but the one that had the higher score at the end. For a minute there I thought that’s all that mattered, but maybe I’m wrong. So for the falcons fan that keeps talking about stats, you stick with that argument and I’ll stick with the ending score. Maybe that’s why the falcons and their fans are not partying with the Lombardi like the saints fans are. Then another falcons fan talks about 3 points here or there and the falcons would have beaten the saints or as he puts it the Aints. I think the falcons are the new aints. They’ve been in the league longer then the saints, and have not won a super bowl. So go ahead, try and make fun of the super bowl champs, just remember that the falcons are one of 15 teams never to party with the lombardi. So now when you mention us as the aints, make sure you say, ain’t that the team that one super bowl 44. We as saints fans will call the falcons the cants or the fell cants. From now on until the fell cants wiins a super bowl, shut the he’ll up, we have bragging rights.
Max
March 7th, 2010
5:30 pm
Wow a saints fan wrote all that on a blog for the falcons? If you don’t like what you hear then get out. Congrats on the trophy but this high and mighty attitude is getting old
Blacgrits
March 7th, 2010
6:12 pm
Draft a RB in the 3rd or 4th round. Turner is getting up there in age
82falconsfan
March 7th, 2010
7:34 pm
Draft a center with the first round pick, thats a joke. And as far as drafting a runnung back in the first round, thats as far fetched as us singing T-O. Have you forgot we have a bulldozer in Turner.
We should sign DE Marcus Spears to replace Anderson, it would be a huge boost to our d-line. As far as the Draft TD will pull some magic, and will get spoon with the 19th pick, and trade Norwood to get back into the first round to grab Demaryius Thomas. Release or trade Jinkins, move Harry-D into the number-2 spot and Thomas as the 3rd. With a line up like that Ryan would be unstoppable.
Steven A.
March 7th, 2010
7:57 pm
“Outside the box” thinking? ROUND ONE 1. Tayolor Mays S / Dan Williams DT/Jacoby Ford WR/KR
3. Jordan Shipley WR
4. Eric Norwood OLB
5. Chris Scott G
6. Pat Simonds WR/TE
7. LaGarret Blount RB
Also, look at possibility of signing veteran D-lineman, Jamal Williams, released by Chargers. Great
run stopper. PLEASE RELEASE MICHAEL JENKINS!
Jose
March 7th, 2010
10:11 pm
I believe that the Falcon’s would be best off taking Benn from Illinois. He is a versatile player who can make all kinds of plays. He tied for best Bench Reps at the combine and has great hands.
Irene
March 8th, 2010
11:06 am
It’s “Maurkice,” not “Maurice” Pouncey. He’s a hard-working, terrific kid.
I am, as ever, hoping for the best in the draft for our Birds. It is time for us to shine!! The real, long-suffering Atlanta fans deserve a championship!
Marcus
March 8th, 2010
1:31 pm
@ Papooh,
my alma mater.
Liking your mock, esp. pick No 7 (L. Vann, FAMU)
I do like Weatherspoon, Gilyard, Thurmond, and Vann, but I wonder if Gilyard would still be around in the 3rd. Not sure if Oregon TE Ed Dickson will be around in the 5th.
Mezzanine Man
March 9th, 2010
8:31 am
Did Chris Houston have a number on the front of his jersey? From my Mezzanine seat, I only saw the back of his jersey. — Too bad he wasn’t traded to an NFC South team. That would have really helped the Falcons 3rd down and red zone percentage.
The Draft??? Spoon I like, Graham may work; Pauncy sounds interesting: Falcons DO need a big time Tackle if available.. Baker is ok but he needs to move inside He is not a Left tackle . The Eagles, and Cowboys and even TB defensive ends killed us this past year…
and WR??? Falcons need to add another very good 3rd Down/ Red Zone receiver .. Gonzo is double teamed and Ryan looks for him too much..(cant trust Jenkins.. (remember the NY Giants game?).. Jinks only catches 1/4 of the balls thrown to him.) Booker will not be here.. and Fenn is at the end of career… So What about Golden TATE??? TATE reminds me of Steve Smith of Carolina and of Crabtree of S.F.— He really can catch the ball in traffic….
This year’s draft is deep .. Falcons have about 4 or 5 needs.. really need a 2nd round pick…