Bradley’s Buzz: Kiper prescribes a pass rush for the Falcons
It’s Jan. 27. The NFL draft is April 22-24. (Yes, it’s three days this year, beginning with Round 1 on a Thursday night.) And Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has already delivered not just a Rock 1 mock but possibilities for Rounds 2 and 3. (Link requires registration.) Mel, it’s fair to say, works hard at his job.
You probably know that Kiper has the Falcons taking Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle with the draft’s 19th pick. (Although it’s not yet clear if the Falcons will have the 19th pick. The NFL will flip a coin to decide next month.) You’re also doubtless aware the Falcons don’t hold a Round 2 pick this season, having dealt it to Kansas City for Tony Gonzalez. But here, courtesy of Mel Jr., are names to watch for the Falcons’ Round 3 pick, which is 73rd overall:
- Jason Worilds, defensive end, Virginia Tech.
- Dominique Franks, cornerback, Oklahoma.
- Syd’Quan Thompson, cornerback, California.
- Eric Decker, wide receiver, Minnesota.
- Darryl Washington, linebacker, TCU.
- Garrett Graham, tight end, Wisconsin.
And here we have Mel’s rationale:
“The Falcons tied for 26th in the NFL in sacks in 2009, so anybody that gives them some help in getting to the quarterback is a good thing. Kindle is probably undersized as a pure 4-3 DE, but he can help in pass-rushing situations. Kindle could also convert to an upright. I think the Falcons would be thrilled if a guy like Griffen fell to them at No. 19. They could also use help at CB, and I actually think they should add some depth at the WR position, because as Matt Ryan enters his third year he’ll be able to do more — and more talent at receiver, or even an apprentice to Tony Gonzalez, wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Me, I’d look hardest at Franks and Thompson, the latter in particular. He’s ranked eighth among cornerbacks and 83rd on Scouts Inc.’s Top 100 (link requires registration). Washington is ranked fourth among inside linebackers and 73rd overall, but I can’t see the Falcons taking linebackers with their first two picks. That’s if we assume they take Kindle in Round 1, as per Kiper.
But I’m not sure they will. Ideally, the Falcons would take a defensive end in Round 1, a cornerback in Round 3 and then probably an offensive lineman in Round 4. (That’s me guessing, by the way.) And you could get away with drafting Kindle if you played a 3-4 because an outside linebacker in that set is a key pass rusher, but the Falcons deploy a 4-3 and don’t blitz overmuch.
Again, that’s me guessing. And I’ve got nearly three months to change my mind.
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114 comments Add your comment
Birdseed: January 28, 2010
January 28th, 2010
12:57 pm
[...] Bradley’s Buzz: Kiper prescribes a pass rush for the Falcons, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Am I the only one that thinks mock drafts at this point in the offseason are a bit ridiculous? I guess it doesn’t matter what I think since I’m obviously looking at them. [...]
What are you guys smoking?
January 28th, 2010
3:10 pm
ok, first of all, our DE’s and CB’s are not the problem. Our pass rush problem starts at the DT position. Because they don’t command any respect from the opposing line, our DE’s suffer. We need more beef in the middle plan and simple. Now i’m not saying that we should draft one in the first round but nether the less we need to upgrade. Do that and see how much better DE’s and secondary looks.
Tweets that mention Bradley's Buzz: Kiper prescribes a pass rush for the Falcons | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
January 28th, 2010
3:17 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley and Julie Mckee, tonya bell. tonya bell said: Bradley's Buzz: Kiper prescribes a pass rush for the Falcons: Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Hes gonna be a b… http://bit.ly/9tlQBL [...]
hmmmm......
January 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
How about Rolle that guy from FSU?
Wildebeast
January 28th, 2010
7:41 pm
Chris Houston…hope to see him flippin’ burgers at Krystal!
TNT
January 28th, 2010
8:42 pm
Dexter Mccluster would be an absolute steal in the later rounds. guarantee you he runs chris johnson type time at the combine
Mike
January 28th, 2010
9:56 pm
To everyone screaming about drafting a CB or DE with the first pick, let me try and get a point across to you.
Pass rush is 60% of your pass defense (if not more). The Falcons were near the bottom of every pass rushing stat this season. I don’t care who the quarterback is, you give them 5-8 secs to find a reciever, and they will!! That takes care of the CB. DE’s take way too long to develope. Let’s face it, if we draft a DE, and he gets 1 sack, most Falcons fans will be calling for his release(”oh no, another Jamal Anderson”).
My solution: draft a true DT that will not be moved off the line and will require double teams to slow…Mt. Cody. This move does more than just stuff the run. It will give at least one DE a one-on-one situation, and who’s not to say that the 370lb beast doesn’t push those OL into the backfield?!?! What I noticed last year was obvious doubles on Abraham or Babs. With a 3rd-string-at-best DT starting most of the season and Anderson being himself, we didn’t stand a chance (granted, Bierman started some later on in the season).
The point is that we need to get the QB out of rhythm. Wether that means sacks, hurries, hits, whatever….he needs to have someone in his face. We have Williams, Douglas, and Jerry coming back and will be out from Vick’s contract, freeing up i think around 7 million in cap space (somewhere in that area?). Draft Cody, sign a top tier DT, i don’t care which. Bierman and Sidbury will be fine next season (remember, 3 years max). Owens and Grimes played great the last few games of the season, and with Houston, Williams, and Jackson i think we are fine there. Though an upgrade at CB wouldnt hurt my feelings, i just want a DT to be priority (draft DT, sign CB…sign DT, draft CB)
GHunt
January 29th, 2010
2:32 am
Mark, if we draft Spiller, Norwood is out. If we draft Dunlap frrom Florida, Jamal Anderson is as good as gone. Mount Cody solidifies the run defense and frees Abraham and other DL as he will have to be double and or triple teamed. No one else in the draft who will be available at 19/20 can have the immediate impact on the team as the previously mentioned players. Anybody out there who would not give up Norwood fror Spiller or JA for Dunlap? Mount Cody improves everbody on the DL and don’t forget he is an excellent backfield blocker on shortgage situation.
Bradley's Buzz: SI sees the Falcons taking a Boise cornerback | Mark Bradley
January 29th, 2010
7:46 am
[...] again: If I had to guess today — and I don’t, but I will anyway — I’d say the Falcons will take a defensive end in Round 1 and wait for Round 3 to snag a cornerback. But Thomas Dimitroff is known in the industry as a keen [...]
DJ
January 29th, 2010
7:54 am
After the Saints game I met 2 kids from Mississipi State here to see Jerious Norwood. They told me that their kid Anthony Dixon was even better as he broke most of JN’s records for the Bulldogs and was the top rusher in the SEC.
Spiller has a big heart but some questionable feet (as in injury prone). I don’t think he is worth a #1 just to be a backup to Turner and Snelling, especially when we need pass rush.
Take the speed linebacker in round 1; if we need a running back then put Mr. Dixon on your board for round 3 or a trade up.
PlanB
January 29th, 2010
11:25 am
Get the pass rush!!! I think AB is going to have to give up some big money to make this team good soon. Top notch DT, DE or CB. (2 of these 3). I think Biermann & Sidberry will be OK. Draft LB #1. With this, I like our depth. Getting last years injured players back and playing time & experience for Grimes, Owens, Nicholas, DeCoud, Sidberry, Biermann etal. really helped. We can get by with Norwood using him differently, screens, etc. I do think MS should question his coordinators as to whether they are using the best schemes & play calls best for the team.
Big Ray
January 30th, 2010
3:36 pm
I agree with the idea of adding a veteran cornerback. Unless a very special talent drops in our laps in the first round, I don’t see the point in drafting a guy who will likely not be able to take playing time away from Owens, Grimes, and maybe even Chevis Jackson.
Will Brian Williams still be around? I liked him, before he got hurt. I don’t know what Tye Hill’s deal is. And I’m tired of Chris Houston.
I can see us taking a pass-rusher in the first round. As in, I don’t know if it will be a DE or LB, or hybrid combo thereof. Either way, it will have to be an impact player. And I don’t see us getting one of those in the first round, that plays in the secondary.
It all starts with the pass rush, and that’s where I think TD will draft. Doesn’t mean it will be a DE, though.
Big Ray
January 30th, 2010
3:38 pm
I don’t recommend going after Vince Wilfork. He’s good, but he’s also a guy whining about money, and getting paid based on what he USED to do. I can see signing him being like the Redskins getting Albert Haynesworth. All that money, then poof, he was gone with injury.
Bradley's Buzz: Kiper prescribes a pass rush for the Falcons … | NFL Topics Blog
February 14th, 2010
10:55 pm
[...] unknown wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:Mark Bradley of the AJC notes that Mel Kiper of ESPN believes the Falcons will take a pass rusher high in the NFL draft. [...]