You’re on clock for Falcons (and why not Thomas?)
Why would the Falcons be scouting Demaryius Thomas unless they're interested in him? (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
I’ve looked at several NFL mock drafts and I have come to a stunning conclusion: Everybody is guessing. OK, maybe not so stunning.
But the same few names keep coming up around the Falcons’ pick at No. 19 overall. All are good players. All make sense in their own way. In a moment, I’ll list them and then you’ve got a chance to vote for which of the five you would prefer to see in a Falcons’ uniform in 2010.
One name may surprise you: Demaryius Thomas.
A few weeks ago, I told you why I believe Thomas has a chance to become, not only a solid NFL receiver, but possibly the most impactful NFL player out of this Georgia Tech class. I’m including defensive end Derrick Morgan. That doesn’t mean Thomas is a better athlete than Morgan. But Thomas’ skill set at the position he plays translates perfectly for the NFL: He’s big, strong, tough, blocks, can catch and goes after the ball.
Now comes word that the Falcons attended Thomas‘ private workout for 10 NFL teams Sunday. The receiver is coming off a broken foot and was unable to go through drills at Tech’s “Pro Day.” So he arranged Sunday’s workout.
Loading ...His draft stock has been going up recently but there’s a pretty good chance he will be available if the Falcons stay at 19. Most of the speculation has them taking a defensive player, possibly Michigan’s Brandon Graham or Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon.
So why would they be scouting Thomas? Even if he slips to the second round (unlikely), the Falcons don’t have a second-round pick, unless they make a trade. There are only two logical conclusions: 1) The Falcons like him and they’re considering taking him in the first round; or 2) They want us to THINK they like him, continuing NFL general managers’ traditional pre-draft disinformation campaign.
I would’ve phoned Thomas Dimitroff today to ask him about No. 2. But it has sort of becoming a running joke between us at draft time and I promised I wouldn’t ask him again this year.
So here are the players (listed alphabetically, not by anybody’s rankings). Take a look and then weigh in with your comments and vote in our poll. On Thursday night, we’ll get some answers.
♦ Brandon Graham, defensive end/outside linebacker, Michigan: He wouldn’t be huge at defensive end (6-2, 268) but he has been compared to Dwight Freeney and led the NCAA in tackles for loss. He also was MVP of the Senior Bowl with five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
♦ Jermaine Gresham, tight end, Oklahoma: You think, “immediate needs for Falcons,” and tight end probably doesn’t come to mind. That’s because they’re starting a future Hall of Famer, Tony Gonzalez. But there’s a possibility this could be Gonzalez’ final season, and tight end is an important position in Mike Mularkey’s offense. Gresham, who has had a private workout for the Falcons, was an All-American in 2008, with 66 receptions and 14 touchdowns. He did not play last season, recovering from a knee injury.
♦ Maurkice Pouncey, center, Florida: I know. A center is the most un-sexy pick of the draft (nothing personal, Maurkice). But Todd McClure is nearing the end of his career and the offensive line hardly is set up for the future. (Case in point: Sam Baker.) Pouncey (6-5, 305) is physical and can play center or guard.
♦ Demaryius Thomas, wide receiver, Georgia Tech: He would be a great second receiver behind Roddy White, and sets up a nice battle for the other spots between Harry Douglas (coming off a knee injury), Brian Finneran (ALWAYS coming off an injury), Michael Jenkins and Eric Weems.
♦ Sean Weatherspoon, linebacker, Missouri: A classic outside linebacker who could fit in well in the Falcons’ defense. He also had a private workout in Flowery Branch, and the team could be looking at him as a replacement for Mike Peterson.
♦
Today’s earlier posts
Jonathan Dwyer will overcome bad pre-draft rumor
Mettenberger saga shows Richt no longer soft on crime
♦
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122 comments Add your comment
kelvin davis
April 19th, 2010
5:20 pm
Why can’t we trade down with New England and take Demaryius Thomas? Then in the 2nd Round we can take Washington… Is anything wrong with that… And in the 3rd we can get Tennant and maybe Cunningham if he is there… Is anything wrong with those 4 picks… That looks pretty good to me
savannahdawg
April 19th, 2010
5:21 pm
The Falcons don’t need another receiver! Please get real. Enough of this draft the local guy stuff.
GT4Eever
April 19th, 2010
5:51 pm
I don’t think Thomas is so far on base. Everyone keeps saying this is the deepest draft in a while. WR may be one of the lightess of postions so why not go get Thomas. We still could get a good OLB, OL or DL in the later rounds. Everyone believes his route runnning would need work but his intangibles are off the charts. As JS pointed out; big, strong, fast and an excellent blocker. Matty sure would love to have a target like that to go along with Roddy and TG.
Don Green
April 19th, 2010
5:54 pm
This is the wrong Thomas. Falcons ought to go after Earl Thomas from Texas. Guy is a hitting machine and can play CB or S. I know they already picked up some DB help, but I am telling you the guy is a future All-Pro.
collegedude
April 19th, 2010
5:55 pm
Pouncey or the TE Gresham long before a WR.
Falcon fans, come meet & have lunch with 3 Falcon’s legends & support a local charity at the same time. Jeff Van Note, Jessie Tuggle, & Buddy Curry will be there and have a Q&A session with those in attendence. Check it out here: http://www.falconnationcharities.org/lunchwithlegends.html
larrymunsonthe3rd
April 19th, 2010
6:00 pm
There are alot of better players in the draft although he is really good
LAMAR
April 19th, 2010
6:12 pm
Why Don’t the FALCONS offer our two underacheiving DE,to the REDSKINS for their 1st round pick and we could take SUH in the 1st round.Also Albert Haynesworth would be worth a 5th round pick and the Falcons could possibly offer to pickup some of Haynesworth salary.This way the Falcons could alternate between a 3-4-4 & 4-4-3.What have we got to lose.Make it happen FALCONS.
LAMAR
April 19th, 2010
6:13 pm
Enter your comments here
Steve
April 19th, 2010
6:13 pm
D. Thomas has BAD HANDS, drops a lot of passes. I wouldn’t take him in the 2nd round.
SPS
April 19th, 2010
6:13 pm
I’d love Thomas – if we had a 2nd round pick. We can’t gamble at #19. We need someone who starts on opening day, and makes us better immediately. I’m still guessing it is Weatherspoon.
Pi$$onaDAWG
April 19th, 2010
6:17 pm
Steve tell me about the passes Thomas has dropped? How many in what games? Back up Bad Hands with facts.
SPS
April 19th, 2010
6:17 pm
LAMAR: You apparently left out step 1 of your evil plan, which must include slipping drugs into the drink of the Redskin’s GM, or kidnapping his children.
DIRTY BIRD
April 19th, 2010
6:19 pm
GUYS, THE PATS HAVE 3 2ND ROUND PICKS, AND HAVE PHONED THE FALCONS ALREADY. FALCONS WILL TAKE ONE OF THEIR 2ND ROUND PICKS AND MOVE DOWN TO WHERE THE PATS ARE A FEW SLOTS BACK, AND TAKE EITHER THOMAS,POUNCEY OR GRESHAM! THEN WE GET A GOOD PLAYER IN ROUND 2 ALSO.. THIS MAKES THE MOST SENSE AND I BET THE FALCONS DO IT. WE MEED OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE LINE HELP, AND LINEBACKERS ALSO. I SAY MOST OF THE GUYS WE TAKE WILL BE ON BOTH LINES IN THIS DRAFT. 2 LINEBACKERS, AND ANOTHER DB WILL BE ADDED ALSO. LOOL FOR ONE WR PICKED IN THE LATER ROUNDS IF THEY DON’T GET THOMAS FROM GT. IM NOT A TECH FAN, BUT HE IS A STUD WITH THAT SIZE AND SPEED. HE WOULD BE ANOTHER BIG THREAT ADDED FOR MATT RYAN AND CAN STRETCH THE DEFENSE ALONG WITH WHITE ON THE OTHER SIDE. WE WILL DO WELL IN THIS DRAFT I SENSE!
UGA89
April 19th, 2010
6:23 pm
Yeah, it is too bad that Thomas dropped that pass against UGA. Tech would have marched down, scored, and won the game –2010 would have been three-in-a-row, instead it will be two-out-of-three and two-in-a-row in Athens.
LAMAR
April 19th, 2010
6:28 pm
SPS This Deal can be made.The REDSKINS GM and OWNER are waiting for the Falcons to pickup the Phone.The clock is running.A&A for S&H.
DIRTY BIRD
April 19th, 2010
6:29 pm
I DONT THINK THOMAS DROPPED ALOT OF PASSES. UGA FANS I BELIEVE ONLY RECALL THE DROP AT THE END. HE DID DROP THAT PASS THAT LIKELY WOULD HAVE LEAD TO A GT WIN, BUT THOMAS IS A GREAT PLAYER. MOST UGA FANS DONT WATCH MUCH OF TECH IT APPEARS. LOOK AT HIS NUMBERS PEOPLE. LOOK AT HIS STATS, BETTER THAN AJ GREEN HANDS DOWN IN AN OPTION OFFENSE. YARDS PER CATCH, NO COMPARISON EITHER. GIVE THE KID CREDIT AND DONT JUDGE ON 1 PLAY. HE DID CATCH ONE AND BULLDOZE THE UGA DEFENDER AND TAKE IT 80 YARDS TO THE HOUSE! HE DIDNT DROP THAT ONE!! WHO WOULDN’T WANT A 6-3 225 POUND WR WHO RUNS 4.38 AS HE HAS BEFORE? FALCONS WILL DO WELL
Mike Jay
April 19th, 2010
6:35 pm
Hey Let’s trade Jamaal Anderson and Norwood For Wahsington’s 1st round pick, Albert Haynesworth and a second. Then we can draft spiller and Thomas in the first and pick up some defense in the second!
Ok maybe not….
Realistically I don’t see them drafting thomas with a first. too many ? marks for a first round reciever imo. I know he’s moving up but that is only due to lack of talent at the positoon in this draft. Now If the y trade back into the second It might be worht considering but will he be any better than jenkins? Both tall, good blocking WR with questionable hands? Plus it wil ltake him a year – two before he will be making a big impact. WR’s are slow to devolop unless they are a special talent.
Mike Jay
April 19th, 2010
6:36 pm
Dude,
Caps lock, far left hand side in the middle. Use it and somebody might actually read what you have to say.
Dawgs2010
April 19th, 2010
6:47 pm
Jeff Schultz is just trying to contribute his mandatory article of the day. This pick would make no sense what-so-ever. Schultz is just talking gibberish.
thunderbull56
April 19th, 2010
6:49 pm
Jeff, if your not good for anything, you are great for stirring up the UGA/GT pissers whenever you favourably reference a GTer.I’m telling all of you, it’s a lot easier to draft a bust in the first round.Reference our Birds storied past.To play for an undermanned team like Tech,Thomas looked tough as ‘ell to me.Sorry UGA/GTer’s I’m not ashamed of being a huge fan of the boths of you.
hayden thomas
April 19th, 2010
6:56 pm
i think that we need to skip on this wide recieverf. we can get mike moore, from uga, in a late round and put him in slot. we need to get a pass rusher in the 1st round. we may need to trade up to get him. idk…we will see come draft day
Screen Pass
April 19th, 2010
6:58 pm
Only way I see getting Bey Bey is if we trade our first round pick, which i think we should do regardless. The only DE really worth a 1st round pick is D. Morgan so unless we trade up to snag him, our 1st round is better served trying to get 2 second round picks…even a low 2 and 3rd round would probaly be better. I like the idea of trying to get a game changer on offense like Spiller or D. Thomas…I’m just not seeing it happen though. This draft will probaly be best served to try and get as much depth and high upside “projects” as possible. I like Graham but it could be worthwhile to take a high upside medium bust risk like Hardy for DE. Please do not waste a first on Pierre-Paul or Dez Bryant…thats all I really ask.
tom
April 19th, 2010
7:00 pm
forget this guy. Last tech guy to play for the Falcons and is now in Dallas never filled the shoes of Jesse Tuggle. Hometown crap doesn’t cut it. Go elsewhere
JoD
April 19th, 2010
7:05 pm
Didnt Thomas pwn and stiff arm a Uga cb, to score on a 76 yrd run? I like picking up Thomas only if we trade down, but I have a feeling he wont be there if we do. Oh well.
jasont13
April 19th, 2010
7:09 pm
DirtyBird, you said his stats were better than AJ Green’s in an option offense. Well they better be considering AJ didn’t play in 3 games and UGA has a pro style offense meaning there are usually 3 or 4 other options to throw the ball too.
Delbert D.
April 19th, 2010
7:12 pm
Thomas isn’t as slow as some think. He once had 4.38 speed, but he got larger and stronger. The guy is a crushing, sit-them-on-their-pants blocker, and he has very good game speed. He has a very good stiff arm technique. The majority of his receptions the past 2 years were catch, stiff arm and run. He can be a lethal weapon with an NFL QB throwing to him in single coverage. Within a year Jenkins and Douglass would figure to be WRs #3 and #4.
He may not have hands like Larry Fitzgerald or AJ, but almost nobody does.
JoD
April 19th, 2010
7:24 pm
This is a good example of Bey Bey’s strength
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S81xw6fwHKM
Thomas is the reciever at the bottom of the screen, and destroys the saftey.
etadog
April 19th, 2010
7:31 pm
I said it last week and now ESPN does the same: Dimitroff likes OL that have potential to play multiple positions. Falcons take Idaho Guard Iupati (as much as I hate Tech, would be okay with Bebe-dude is a beast)
Bill Campbell
April 19th, 2010
7:35 pm
Thomas hasn’t been a receiver in a real offense! Run down the field as fast as you can and we will throw it to you…won’t get it done in the pros! You have to run routes and he only did one. No wide receiver recruit now who wants to go pro would ever go to Tech to play in Johnson’s offense! Tech was lucky to have Gailey’s players while they were there. That kind of talent is gone!
LCDawg
April 19th, 2010
7:48 pm
Trade up for Eric Berry. He’ll make an immediate impact and be a perennial all pro.
Dawggy
April 19th, 2010
7:58 pm
Schultz,
you are the dumbest of the dumb!! What a waste of a 1st round draft pick. Now if he were still around in the 3rd or 4th round then MAYBE.
BigGAdawg
April 19th, 2010
8:15 pm
Thomas is a great player, however, I believe our greatest needs lie elsewhere.
My vote is for Brandon Graham or Sean Weatherspoon if they are still available and Maurkice Pouncey if they are not.
Sarge1
April 19th, 2010
8:22 pm
I can’t beloeve CMR kicked Mettenberger off the team. He fit in so well with all the other thugs..
BirdDawg
April 19th, 2010
8:27 pm
While all of these guys look to be very good players in the near future, I think you have to go with the guy that gives the Falcons the most significant upgrade and sets them up well for the future. With that being said, I think that if all of these players are available when the Falcons pick, you have to go with Sean Weatherspoon. The reason being is that Mike Peterson is getting up there in years and there really isn’t anyone on the roster right now prepared to replace him in what is a serious area of need for the Falcons. The same argument could be made for Gresham except that Tony G didn’t appear to slow down at all last year and unless he has a significant drop off in production, chances are he’ll stick around beyond next year. Brandon Graham would be third on the list simply because I’m not fully convinced that the players the Falcons have now can’t produce really good push up front. With more PT for Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury, the return of Peria Jerry and continued great play from Jonathan Babineaux, I think the Falcons could be very stout up front. All of these factors should lead to a return to form for John Abraham, although he is getting up there in years also.
Sensei John Kreese
April 19th, 2010
8:37 pm
Hey “PI$$”, what was the score of the UGA/Tech game again? What’s that record against UGA?
Seems like UGA’s “glorified high school” QB did just fine against Tech. Oh, as far Butterfingers Thomas goes, he reminds me of another Tech WR who came out with tons hype and a history of choking with the game on the line. Calvin Johnson, anyone? No thanks. I’d rather have wins than stats anyday.
UGA fans are so .....
April 19th, 2010
8:51 pm
Typical inbred UGA fans crapping all over Thomas because he played for Tech. Name me a UGA player that made ANY impact with the Falcons.
Big Ray
April 19th, 2010
8:51 pm
I don’t believe we will take Thomas or Bryant if they are there at #19. Too many other pressing issues with no picks in the 2nd round.
Those who keep saying “there are defensive players available later in the draft” obviously think there are first year starters who will be around in the middle rounds. That is usually not the case.
Anybody who keeps suggesting we trade for Albert Haynesworth needs to be stabbed in the butt with a pitchfork. Look what he did to the Redskins right after they gave him a huge contract. He has no motivation, he has $41 million in guaranteed money. Why do you think the ‘Skins are trying to get rid of him? Dummies…
Big Ray
April 19th, 2010
8:55 pm
For the last time….
Picking Pouncey in the first round works only if we’re able to get into the second round. Otherwise, you’re waiting until late in the third round to try and draft guys at LB, WR, DT, and DE, who can help you in their first year . Most of those guys will be GONE by then, and we’ll be left with guys who will take 2-3 years to develop. Gonzalez will have retired without a SB ring, and we’ll still be chasing the Saints.
No thanks.
Josh M
April 19th, 2010
9:07 pm
Graham will be gone by 19 (to the Titans, I’m guessing), so the pick will be – drumroll – Everson Griffen. I just keep hearing bad reports about Weatherspoon’s personality, and I think that’s enough for Atlanta to pass on him. And our most pressing need, by far, is a pass rush.
PMC
April 19th, 2010
9:09 pm
It wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world. Smart guy, Athletic, fast, good hands, should be a good blocker, good in traffic. Across from Roddy White. This draft is ridiculously deep at OLB and DT… DE not so much.
That said, I wouldn’t mind finding a Brandon Lafell, Carlton Mitchell or Jacoby Ford later on either.
Jenkins has been here long enough to prove he really shouldn’t be a #2. He’s really better at 4 or 5 for depth.
PMC
April 19th, 2010
9:10 pm
there are absolutely starters at DT and OLB that will be there in round 3 and maybe round 4.
I believe there are one or two potential starters at DT that will be there in the 5th.
Jason Elam's Brother
April 19th, 2010
9:29 pm
Two things are certain: The front office will make well-reasoned choices, and no matter what they do, they’ll get killed on these blogs. So many ways to go with this draft!
UGA fans are so .....
April 19th, 2010
9:32 pm
Still waiting UGA fans
chuck
April 19th, 2010
10:17 pm
The terrible Falcons of long ago would do something stupid like drafting an injured WR in the first round. TD is way too smart to make that bad of a decision.
The Falcons of Dan the dingbat Reeves would pick a TE even if we had two all Pro TE’s already on the roster. TD is too smart to make that silly of a mistake.
The pick will be whichever of the other three is available and rated higher by TD. It’s quite a change from the past but the Falcons are in competent hands and I trust TD to make the right decision.
chuck
April 19th, 2010
10:23 pm
I saw Haynesworth during Spring Break in Pigeon Forge. He was way out of shape and the lack of discipline tells me he’s quite content with his millions and could care less about staying in shape to help his team. We don’t need any cancers in the locker room.
Halsey
April 19th, 2010
10:37 pm
I just want the Falcons to trade down a little, and get a 2nd rounder or another 3rd rounder. One or two of the guys mentioned by Jeff could still be available if the Falcons trade down a little.
kelvin davis
April 19th, 2010
11:14 pm
I would like to say a few things… 1. Demaryius Thomas will be very good in the NFL as long as he doesn’t go to the Raiders… They don’t know what to do with talent.. Look at Darren McFadden… But yea if Atlanta does get a 2nd Round pick we should take him if he’s there.. 2. Brandon Graham or Sean Weatherspoon should be the pick..I have a feeling that New England will move to 19 only to get Graham.. So that leaves us with Weatherspoon or Pouncey… 3. Yall need to stop saying Thomas has bad hands and can only run one route… Unless you sat there and watched him practice every day you can’t say he only runs one route.. Yes he ran alot of fly routes at Georgia Tech but that was the play call so o well… He still did alot of great things from what I saw… 4. Defense is our number one need in the draft but you have to realize if some of the players we want are not there then we should go with the best player available whether it be offense or defense… I think we will trade our pick 19 to the Patriots for their 22nd pick and one of their 2nd round picks and I think we will go with the best player available at 22… Then after that we will take care of our needs in whatever order they come in… But yea like I said Thomas does’t suck and Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff know what to do…
charles harris
April 20th, 2010
12:58 am
Get the speedster Jacoby Ford!!
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » You’re on clock for Falcons (and why not Thomas?)
April 20th, 2010
1:13 am
[...] Link [...]
Hey Bey-Bey
April 20th, 2010
1:56 am
I say trade down, grabs a late 1st and 2nd then possibly snag Bey-Bey later in the first. If not I’d go with Graham or Spoon as a safe pick.