If Spiller’s there on April 22, should the Falcons draft him?
You tell me: How would the guy in purple look in red? (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
In his latest mock draft, Don Banks of SI.com still has the Falcons taking the same cornerback with the 19th pick in Round 1 – Kyle Wilson of Boise State. But that’s not the intriguing part. The intriguing part is the player Banks has slotted to go 20th overall.
C.J. Spiller, running back, Clemson.
In every draft, for every team, there’s a name that assumes outsize importance. (”Wouldn’t it be great if our team got that guy?”) For Falcons fans, Spiller is that name this time. He played up the road. He played against Georgia Tech every season. He made spectacular plays. His drafting would excite a constituency in a way no offensive tackle ever could. That said …
The Falcons have a great running back in Michael Turner and someone who approximates Spiller in Jerious Norwood. (Although Norwood has worked under three coaching staffs, none of which has been able to unlock his potential.) The pressing need is again on defense. But if Spiller’s available when the Falcons’ turn comes, could they say no?
Thomas Dimitroff claims every draft is need-based, but the Falcons’ offense wasn’t quite as good as advertised in 2009. Dimitroff said this week that “this draft isn’t going to be as lopsided” as last year’s, which was almost all defense, and that would indicate the Falcons are open to possibilities. If the possibility exists for you to snatch a Percy Harvin, don’t you have to try? (Minnesota chose Harvin with the 22nd overall pick in 2009; he was voted rookie of the year.)
And my answer is … I don’t know. I go back and forth on this one. Spiller was a great college player when healthy, but he wasn’t always healthy. (He had to leave the ACC title game because of turf toe.) He’s not an every-down back, but the Falcons don’t really need an every-down back because they have Turner. He’d be great on reverses, which Mike Mularkey loves to call, and on screens, which Mularkey almost never calls.
Loading ...So, as opposed to the usual format where I tell you what I think and you’re free to disagree (which any right-thinking person would do), I’m going to be agnostic this once and ask for your help. Please tell me why the Falcons should — or should not — draft Spiller if he’s on the board. I thank you in advance.
Oh, and one thing more: The team Banks has taking Spiller at No. 20 — Houston — actually might pick 19th. The Falcons and the Texans have their coin flip today at the combine in Indianapolis. So it’s possible the Falcons could miss on Spiller by the outcome of a toss. That would be a bummer. Or would it?
Update: The Falcons won the coin flip this morning. They have the 19th pick.
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
284 comments Add your comment
jamie cunningham
February 28th, 2010
9:56 am
and “rufus”, i know what you’re saying about the “best back in the world not being able to run without blocking”. but what did snelling do in the last few games last year? he’s a mid-level runner at best in the league and he was tearing it up late last year. i think our o-line is pretty solid. doesn’t mean we don’t need to plan for the future though. the right side of the line is getting a little older…
YELLOWFUZZ
February 28th, 2010
10:10 am
who cares who they take the Falcons suck
YELLOWFUZZ
February 28th, 2010
10:11 am
Jackets suck too
YELLOWFUZZ
February 28th, 2010
10:12 am
I love Paul’s Johnson
S
February 28th, 2010
11:12 am
absolutely.
DePlane
February 28th, 2010
11:46 am
I still like going w/defense first. But if we can’t get a Graham, Spoon or maybe Kindle and Spiller drops to us you have to take him. He is supremely talented and lightning fast and the type of playmaker the Falcons could use on offense in so many ways….and apparently the character type of guy they look for.
I wouldn’t be disappointed that’s for sure.
Moe4
February 28th, 2010
12:11 pm
Spiller would be a mistake in the first round. I saw him run a kick off back against Carolina but also 9/18 in rushing. He cannot be a running back in the NFL. The first poster who said Dexter McCluster with a later pick was absolutely right. He will probably be better in the pros.
Wreckmaniac
February 28th, 2010
12:12 pm
Spiller is the #1 RB/kickoff return/punt return player in this year’s draft. He will go well before 19. If the Falcons want him they will have to trade up as mentioned by others. He will be chosen before # 13.
Wreckmaniac
February 28th, 2010
12:15 pm
I also agree that Dwyer is the more atypical NFL running back due to size. He runs well inside as Spiller is typically more effective outside. But Spiller is more versatile.
Duh?!
February 28th, 2010
1:07 pm
No! the Falcons should package their pick with Matt Ryan and get Michael Vick back here! Thats a no brainer! DUH!
Georgia Red
February 28th, 2010
1:17 pm
I saw him get shut down against good defenses and don’t see him as a first round guy.
cornell
February 28th, 2010
1:41 pm
i think we should thats who i want in the first round if he is available. he can contribute more than just by running the ball. He can also return kicks and that will help in field position. he gives us that big play guy that we do not have on either side of the ball.
quint
February 28th, 2010
3:16 pm
No. Don’t waste time on a running back unless he has a strong resemblance to Adrian Peterson. I still think Kyle Wilson would be great at cornerback, if he is there at 19.
GSU Eagle 91
February 28th, 2010
3:27 pm
Mark..The Falcons HAVE to take CJ if he is available..A mediocre Clemson squad was so much better with him on the field, and we need more playmakers on offense.
I feel the Defense stayed on the field too much last season, and our offense was stagnant at times.
Take him, TD!
74Dawg
February 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
Mark, is it possible Dexter McCluster will drop to the third round? I see a similar skill set there.
MontinoD
February 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
Spiller ran a 4.27 at the combine. That’s the type of change-of-pace back the Falcons need, especially if Norwood isn’t resigned. Besides, fast running backs are immediate impact players while you may have to wait years to see what you have at other positions.
The Chief
February 28th, 2010
4:35 pm
Well, his senior season included two losses to Geogia Tech and a loss to South Carolina. That’s a game changer?
Bruce Wayne
February 28th, 2010
6:09 pm
I hear some great agruments. I feel like as for as sports goes its hard to every really live down a bad draft decesion. Let me ask you if Reggie Bush had done great things no matter how good Mario would have been unless he was deacon jones the texans would have always be seen as a team that dropped the ball. Like the Pistons for passing on Carmelo and Dwayne Wade. Or the Trailblazers passing on Durant, Or the the team that passed on Jordan. You can’t pass up the chance at a special player for a decent corner cause we know that by that there will be no shut down corners at that pick. So u could get one in the second round or free agency.
bill h
February 28th, 2010
6:49 pm
Take Spiller with the first pick. Antrelle Rolle announced today that he will test the free agent market so the Falcons should try and sign Rolle so they wouldn’t have to take a DB with the first pick. Then pick a DE or OLB with the second pick, but if Arthur Blank really wants to win, sign Julius Peppers too.
C
February 28th, 2010
8:29 pm
NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
SPILLER DESERVES TO BE ON A REAL NFL TEAM
C
February 28th, 2010
8:38 pm
THE CHIEF: Spiller scored in every game he played in last season, that is the definition of a game changer – you techtard
SpillerFan
February 28th, 2010
8:45 pm
Being a Clemson fan and watching Spiller play this past year was amazing. While Clemson didn’t have a championship type season, Spiller did everything he could to win. He scored 4 touchdowns against Tech in the ACC Championship. He’s also a huge threat on punt and kick-off returns and took many back to the house. I’d love to see him in Atlanta, because I didn’t see another player that could be such a game changer, and thrilling to watch at the same time. Every time he gets the ball, the threat is there for him to take it all the way. Go Spiller!
Left and Right
February 28th, 2010
8:56 pm
Falcons better be getting some offensive linemen. There is a reason our offense was
not as good and it starts with the O-line.
Big Dog
February 28th, 2010
9:05 pm
Let’s see…..Spiller doesn’t qualify because his TEAM lost to Ga. Tech. Well that’s telling me that Stafford wasn’t as good at QB than, say, Nesbitt??
It’s that fuzzy, sliderule logic that Technerds throw out.
And Dwyer is the best RB in the draft?? Tell that to the legion GM’s that miss that factoid as they pass him up for the lesser backs (Including C.J. Spiller)……YOU MYOPIC TECHNERD!!!
FalconJim
February 28th, 2010
9:19 pm
If a guy like Spiller falls in our lap, we almost have to take him. The only worry for me is that we’ve drafted a couple of guys lately that were injury prone in college, and picked right up where they left off, after they were drafted into the Pros. I’m a little “gun-shy” now.
But if you think about it, if Turner were to go down again, who are left with – Snelling and Norwood basically, and a versatile running back like Spiller would be a very valuable asset!!! Heck, I’d rather have Spiller over Norwood, ANYDAY!!!
We DO need a proven pass rusher too, and I think we might be able to find that in free-agency. Then hope for Weatherspoon at OLB.
Hamad Meander
February 28th, 2010
10:21 pm
As much as the defense needs some pieces, let me make one thing clear – Spiller runs a 4.28 40 yard dash and is the fastest, most explosive player in the draft. The Falcons, and truly every other NFL team can use a guy like Spiller. I’d say take him and worry about the defense with free agency and the later rounds.
Just think of the Falcons with Spiller running back kicks, running reverses, lining up at receiver, running back on third down…..I can’t imagine the Falcons not scoring 32 points a game.
Richard
February 28th, 2010
10:54 pm
MB, If Spiller is actually available at 22, there are some GM’s that should be fired instantly. The real question is if the Falcons should trade up to get him.
CitizenK9
February 28th, 2010
11:01 pm
I think he’s a good guy but played in the ACC against soft defenses. Remember what UGA’s backs did to GT ? Add injury problems to that. The Falcons have to think foundation not flash.
SEC_Champion
February 28th, 2010
11:36 pm
uh he won’t even almost be available. His 4.27 40yard dash time made sure of that. He’s a top 10 pick with that speed. A the teams in the top 10 spots of the draft are thinking ” the next Chris Johnson”
Andrew
March 1st, 2010
12:27 am
Spiller would be a nice addition to the team but i think right now another RB isnt top priority. Though could be used on special teams also how about a WR who can do that to? I’ve been watching the combine and Golden Tate WR from Notre Dame is really jumping out. They are listing him as a late 1st early 2nd rounder but after seeing his 40 time today ( 4.42 ) I think he has really improved his stock. Not only was he a great WR this season but he was also quite flashy on special teams to. He reminds me alot of Percy Harvin. One of his biggest things i was also impressed with was his after catch yardage. Im not saying 100% go with Golden Tate, though the name is quite flashy, but some type of WR that has the special teams spark in him also.
Outside Observer
March 1st, 2010
12:33 am
Comparisons abound of Spiller being the next Reggie Bush. My question is this, was Reggie Bush more instrumental to the Saints success than Jonathon Vilma? I think the answer to that question determines who the draft pick should be. I know my answer…
willieg hates bill shanks
March 1st, 2010
2:10 am
look it is simple see who the falcons pick up in free agency starting marth 5th and come april 22nd in PRIME TIME WATCH THE BOARD THE FALCONS NEED TO TRADE DOWN, and get the MONSTER from nebraska , if tampa bay gets him the falcons will be in deep trouble seeing him twice a year.
OK, I've decided: The Falcons should NOT draft C.J. Spiller | Mark Bradley
March 1st, 2010
11:57 am
[...] asked for your help. Fifty-five percent of more than 2,000 respondents in a quickie poll suggested the Falcons should pass on the fleet Clemson back “only if they’re nuts.” (The Falcons, it should be stipulated, have done nutty things in past drafts, but they’ve [...]
savannah falcon
March 1st, 2010
1:22 pm
Here we go again. The AJC always finds something negative to say about top prospect.