Will the Falcons draft a pass rusher? Lots of folks think so
Justin Houston of UGA lines up as a defensive end. Hmmm. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Lots of places claim to be Draft Central. Today we come to you from Mock Draft Central, the place where everyone guesses as to what NFL teams will do. My longstanding guess has been that the Falcons will draft a pass rusher of some sort, be he a defensive end (more likely) or an outside linebacker (less likely). I’m encouraged that a majority of draft-watchers agree with me.
Of 12 mock drafts surveyed from the Big Six online sites — ESPN, SI.com, CBSsports, Sporting News, Yahoo! Sports and NFL.com — eight foresee the Falcons taking a defensive end in Round 1. (Although NFL.com, for reasons unclear, lists Cameron Heyward of Ohio State as a defensive tackle. But he seems a DE to me and to most everybody else.)
Five of those eight mocks have the Falcons taking Adrian Clayborn of Iowa, which is about as close to a consensus as you’re apt to get when a team picks 27th. Of the three mocks that have the Falcons taking a DE other than Clayborn, two project him to be gone by the time the Falcons select.
Mocks that have the Falcons picking Clayborn include: Mel Kiper of ESPN (link requires registration); Don Banks of SI.com; Rob Rang of CBSsports; Bucky Brooks of NFL.com, and Pro Football Weekly (as done for Yahoo! Sports).
Mocks that have the Falcons picking a DE with Clayborn off the board: Todd McShay of ESPN (link requires registration) goes with Brooks Reed of Arizona, projecting Clayborn to New Orleans three picks earlier, and esteemed former colleague Steve Wyche of NFL.com goes with Heyward, having projected Clayborn to Tampa Bay with the 20th pick.
The one mock that has the Falcons picking a DE with Clayborn available: Pat Kirwan of NFL.com, who likewise goes with Heyward.
The four mocks that have the Falcons addressing a different position: Chad Reuter of CBSsports, who projects offensive tackle Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin; Charles Davis of NFL.com, who projects defensive back Aaron Williams of Texas; Brian Baldinger of NFL.com, who projects tight end Kyle Rudolph of Notre Dame, and Pro Football War Room for Sporting News, which projects cornerback Ras-I Dowling of Virginia.
Loading ...Not one of the 12 mocks has the Falcons taking a man of local interest: Justin Houston, the Georgia outside linebacker. (Although five project him as a first-rounder, with three of those leaving him available at No. 27.) I’d thought a while back that Houston might be a fit here, but now I think he’s more apt to land with a 3-4 team.
Having drafted Sean Weatherspoon, an outside linebacker, in Round 1 last season, the Falcons probably won’t take another so soon. (At least not this high.) Having spent big on Dunta Robinson in March 2010, they probably won’t take a cornerback in Round 1, either. And I know they want to bolster their offensive line for the years ahead and find the eventual heir to Tony Gonzalez at tight end, but I don’t think those are necessarily first-round priorities.
The Falcons won 13 games last season but showed a clear need for a better pass rush. This is one of those times the mocks might have it right: DE is so obvious a way to go that it’s almost the only way to go.
By Mark Bradley
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
84 comments Add your comment
juvenal
April 20th, 2011
11:24 am
they will all be gone…..
juvenal
April 20th, 2011
11:25 am
probably a DB…
juvenal
April 20th, 2011
11:34 am
big DEs that can pass rush short this draft, Houston may be around-an Abrams type…
Mark Bradley
April 20th, 2011
11:41 am
I think the NFL may view Houston as a 3-4 OLB more than a 4-3 DE. He has been both, though.
TONY
April 20th, 2011
11:50 am
I say go with Stephen Paea from Oregon State, without an inside push, whic we are lacking, a DE is just pointless. The middle of the line that commands double teams, will free up our defensive ends. This guy is a beast
rduck
April 20th, 2011
11:56 am
Clayborn, when healthy is a beast. Would love to have him available at #27. Heyward would be my next choice, then Houston and CB Williams last.
Brian Hunt
April 20th, 2011
11:56 am
Houston can play 4-3 DE and he is built in the Abraham / Bierman mold, so he’s an option. Heyward is more of a 3-4 DE, which would project more to DT in a 4-3 scheme. I don’t see him as an option because the team is stacked at DT with Jerry, Walker, Peters, Babineaux, etc.
FSURob
April 20th, 2011
11:59 am
How about WR Torrey Smith and get a legit deep threat? Otherwise, there’s Jernel Jernigan and Titus Young in the 2nd or 3rd round I guess, but we really need someone to expand the length of the field…honestly not sure the Falcons have had that since Tony Martin helped the team to the Super Bowl.
Curious George
April 20th, 2011
12:02 pm
With all the past, present and future player arrests, should the Falcons draft a parole officer as well?
Dr. Warren
April 20th, 2011
12:03 pm
I have some reservations about Clayborn’s health prospects long-term. I’d still like them to nab a speedy wide receiver instead of a DE.
Todd
April 20th, 2011
12:03 pm
Houston took a lot of games off at UGA, he’s talented to say the least. Clayborn, I just don’t know, he really struggled in Big 10 competition last year. Now there are reports that he has a syndrome that has one arm stronger than the other. There isn’t a skill position player(WR,RB) with value at 27, best bet is to trade down. Pick up Titus Young or Jernigan 2nd rd.
Yurtle_the_Turtle
April 20th, 2011
12:03 pm
I don’t get mock drafts. Clayborn is not a top-10 pick because he has one arm shorter/weaker than the other arm. If it is such a problem for a #9 team to pick him because his success will be limited, why do we want him at #27? I would understand a limitation like speed or strength sending a player down the draft board but either he does or doesn’t have the arm issues to play DE in the NFL.
AthensDawg
April 20th, 2011
12:05 pm
I would like to have either Cam Jordan or Clayborn. People are forgetting that we need to get a TE. DJ Williams from Arkansas or Kyle Rudolph would be a good pick. Drafting any one of these positions would be good for our football team.
Monster Mash
April 20th, 2011
12:11 pm
The Falcons need an impact player at 27th pick that other teams have to game plan for; and they can get one. That player might be a DE, an OLB, a WR or an OT. If 8 DEs were to come off the board before the Falcons pick 27th, it means (1) OTs are slipping to us and (2) there will not be a great demand for DEs in Round 1 next year. Would you rather have the 9th best DE or the 3rd best WR or OT? If the Falcons can’t get Kerrigan or Smith at DE nor Solder or Carimi at OT, they will try to drop back into Round 2 and pick up either WRs Kankerson or Jernigan. and at 59th either OLB Bruce Carter or DE Allen Bailey. They will not waste a 2nd Round on a TE, but will take Housler from FAU in the 3rd.
dawgfan
April 20th, 2011
12:14 pm
Techies might remember Clayborn as the guy who almost singlehandedly laid a major whoopin’ on the Triple Option Express in the Orange Bowl. I’m sure if he had a big performance against UGA that Bradley would have been sure to remind everyone of it.
Thanks.
hawesg
April 20th, 2011
12:18 pm
Given the way Smitty rotates his DL players, Houston makes a large amount of sense given Dimitroff’s draft tendencies. He’s a high character, high motor football player rather than an off the chart talent.
Since this draft is deep in DE and DT, I wonder if teams will attack areas of need like DB, LB or WR first and let the deep crop fall to later picks.
But if the DEs that fit (and Heyward seems like Jamaal Anderson 2.0 to me) are gone, and there’s a guy like Carimi or even Solder around, I could see the Falcons draft their new LT and move Baker into one of the spots vacated by the departure of one of Dahl/Clabo/Blalock.
Todd
April 20th, 2011
12:19 pm
Best bet is to trade down, pick up Titus Young or Jernigan in the 2nd. Houston is a talent, but he simply did not play up to his potential at UGA, took off a lot of games. Clayborn is a gamble with his syndrome. If Kerrigan is available, I would take him.
hawesg
April 20th, 2011
12:21 pm
I wonder, also, if Dimitroff wants to risk another early round pick on a kid with physical limitations, given how many games Moore, Perry and Weatherspoon have missed to injuries. That would seem to be a red flag with Clayborn. Heyward looks more like a 3-4 DE.
But the idea they should squander a first round pick on a TE when there isn’t a first round TE talent seems out of character for this regime. Dan Reeves, maybe…
Mark Bradley
April 20th, 2011
12:26 pm
The one knock on Thomas Dimitroff: His last two No. 1 picks got hurt.
yo mama
April 20th, 2011
12:26 pm
I think trading out of first round for a second round pick and a first rnd next yr might be the answer this year, save serious first round money, and stock pile by taking a first rounder next year, and beefing up in round two this year. the margin of talent isnt much different from 27 to 47 in the draft order. so why pay the big money. am i right?
Birdman
April 20th, 2011
12:27 pm
So if Clayborn or another DE is selected, does this spell the end of the Jamaal Anderson fiasco? Having selected two Dt’s early in the last 2 drafts, plus Babs playing above expectations, they can’t afford to keep Anderson in that rotation Spend that money elsewhere.
Falcon 34
April 20th, 2011
12:34 pm
Adrian Clayborn according to draftcountdown.com…….
“Does not project as an elite pass rusher in the NFL. A versatile, all-around good DE that can also play DT.”
We already have one of those named Anderson and hard to imagine fixing our pass rush with a guy who got a whopping 3 sacks as a senior. Sorry, but I absolutely HATE this pick.
Since the year 2000, rookie DE’s have averaged 3.3 sacks in their first year.
Boycott the Draft
April 20th, 2011
12:34 pm
Don’t support the greed.
The only way they’ll get the message is if the draft has its worst ratings ever.
Birdman
April 20th, 2011
12:38 pm
I would applaud selecting a new LT with the 27th pick, or alternatively trading back picking up another 2nd plus 3rd. WIth 2 second rounders, 2 3rd rounders, we could get 4 early contributors.
fanoffalcons
April 20th, 2011
12:44 pm
Who is the best safety? Zero bad behavior tolerance…. lets rethink
Calab
April 20th, 2011
12:47 pm
Clayborn’s suspect arm should not be an issue as long as he has a great motor and a mean streak. If anything, the naysayers give him extra motivation to do great. Does anyone remember one eyed Bob Whitfield?
willie
April 20th, 2011
12:50 pm
We can’t hope one of these guys is there…we need to trade up a bit and grab Kerrigan or Bowers. We need an impact DE badly.
greenjacket
April 20th, 2011
12:57 pm
go for a defensive end from UCF. they looked tough against the dogs!
juvenal
April 20th, 2011
1:15 pm
you have to wonder how far Bowers falls because of the injury…….
dawgfan
April 20th, 2011
1:15 pm
greenjacket, they did look pretty good against the Dawgs. They were certainly a lot better than the joke defense on North Avenue that hasn’t been able to stop a granny in a wheelchair since “the smartest guy in the room” Paul Johnson arrived.
Thanks.
GTT
April 20th, 2011
1:30 pm
Don’t go TE. Justin Peele is good enough to start for many teams that don’t have Tony Gonzalez.
Hankie Aron
April 20th, 2011
1:31 pm
Very good synopsis of the 1st round draft pick greatest need for the falcons. Hey you like how I used synopsis? You like big words Mark that confuse some people. By the way on a more serious note, the column on Outlar yesterday was great, not good.Most younger generations are oblivious to him and his work
blue
April 20th, 2011
1:31 pm
FSURob; the only problem is, despite lack of a deep threat, that is NOT why they were knocked out by GB. It was because they could not stop the other team from scoring at will.
DC Dirty Bird
April 20th, 2011
1:39 pm
Monster Mash seems to be on to something. We can’t repeat the same mistake we made in 2009 with Jerry. Instead of selecting the best available player, we selected what was the best available at a position of need. Hopefully we take the conservative gloves off and go for an impact player or simply trade the pick for multiple selections in the 2nd and 3rd round.
juvenal
April 20th, 2011
1:42 pm
definitely need to go D-felt like Matt thought he had to score every time vs. GB, & made some bad choices…..
DC Dirty Bird
April 20th, 2011
1:51 pm
blue, we were in the game until the pick 6 right before halftime. Why did they get it, because every defense rolls its defense towards Roddy. We need explosive plays on both sides of the ball. I would say DE is every bit of a priority as WR, but we have to be cautious about value. If the DE availabe at 27 grades out lower than the WR or LT left on the board, we have to pass on DE and go for best available.
MikeYJ
April 20th, 2011
1:58 pm
Mark, with there probably being a psuedo-rookie salary cap in the new player contract, would Dim trade down for more picks? That could be an option for the Falcons also.
Joey
April 20th, 2011
2:09 pm
Houston showed last season that if needed, he can drop back in coverage, so yes, Mark, he is a better fit at OLB in a 3-4.
He is getting kinda big for that, however, at 270 lbs.
juvenal
April 20th, 2011
2:18 pm
& he might work harder, if he’s paid-fits in as Abram’s spell & replacement…….
Joey
April 20th, 2011
2:21 pm
Mark, have you seen that ad the NFL is running to get us to watch the draft? What struck me is they are showing about a half-dozen drafts of the Packers, and dang if everyone of them are stars (or superstars) now.
The Pack’s GM is either lucky or a great talent evaluator.
Larry
April 20th, 2011
2:24 pm
“DE is so obvious a way to go that it’s almost the only way to go.”
I know, Mark, but those that don’t get it you and I will be funding their health care and living expenses somewhere down the road as they’re too dumb to know how profoundly and hopelessly dumb they are…we call them liberals here in Cobb County.
Mark Bradley
April 20th, 2011
2:25 pm
The Packers are a well-run team, Joey. What can I say?
Larry
April 20th, 2011
2:36 pm
“The Packers are a well-run team, Joey. What can I say?”
True, but infinitely better coached on offense and defense. Dom Capers completely turned around their defense in one season to “elite” status while the Falcons defense looked WORSE in the playoffs 3 years after their collapse against the Cardinals on the infamous “3rd and 16.”
I’ll never forget the announcers saying “BVG looks at a loss for what to do against Green Bay’s offense.” Chew on that comment for a moment!
Will
April 20th, 2011
2:42 pm
I’m not big on Justin Houston, but I’d rather have a hybrid DE/OLB than another hybrid DE/DT (Anderson). I’ve heard the Dawg fans talk alot about how most of Houston’s production rushing the passer has come from when his hand was on the ground.
Is it just me, or does anyone else think these 280-290lb DEs coming out these days are a burger & fry meal away from losing their quickness and having to play DT anyway?
I think I’ll take the 260-270lb guys…
Mark Bradley
April 20th, 2011
2:46 pm
It would interesting to know how much, if any, the perception of Justin Houston changed after he moved from DE to OLB.
BYRDDAWG
April 20th, 2011
2:55 pm
The Iowa kid looked like a beast in the Orange Bowl against tech!!
csg
April 20th, 2011
2:59 pm
No to Clayborn. TOO SLOW. Watch film on Brooks Reed. He’s the next Cay Matthews. (He even looks like Clay). If not him Akeem Ayers. Place up or down , has a major motor and his nose is always on the ball.
csg
April 20th, 2011
3:01 pm
Fingers too fat to type on a phone. Excuse the spelling.
Mark Bradley
April 20th, 2011
3:01 pm
According to PennLive.com, Kennesaw State is about to hire Lewis Preston, a Nittany Lions’ assistant, as head coach.
csg
April 20th, 2011
3:02 pm
Congrats KSU!
Will
April 20th, 2011
3:04 pm
If we can’t get Smith, Kerrigan, or Houstin, I’m leaning toward an O-Lineman at 27. Then either the “explosive” offensive threat (Cobb, Jernnigan, Young, etc.) or a developmental DE (Acho, Sheard, Romeus, etc.) in round 2 and 3.
MaxxFalcon
April 20th, 2011
3:05 pm
Justin Houston has to be the pick if he’s there
Will
April 20th, 2011
3:08 pm
Not having pre-draft free agency sucks…
juvenal
April 20th, 2011
3:19 pm
& Will, hybrid DE/OLB may help at Witherspoons spot, know he was hurt but really has not shown much so far…
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
April 20th, 2011
3:38 pm
Justin Houston has gotten better the last three years. Great character. Now he is 30 lbs stronger and faster. I hope we get this guy before he falls to another team. Clay Matthews all over again…
Ken Herrock
April 20th, 2011
4:14 pm
The last three first round picks have gotten hurt (Baker) and have been slow to rebound. Odds favor trading out of the first round.
hbcuclassics
April 20th, 2011
5:00 pm
2011 Falcons Easy Button 3.0
1.27 Jimmy Smith, CB, 6′2, 211, Colorado – “elite” corner fills need; sophomoric behavior non-cancerous, Owens questionable, Williams out. Secondary suspect.
2.59 Bruce Carter, OLB, 6′2, 243, UNC – “elite” linebacker is Top 10 talent but for ACL. Like Moore/Jerry put on IR/rehab for a year; and reap Pro Bowl reward later.
3.91 Greg Little, WR, 6′3, 231, UNC – stud receiver with hands, strength, speed, agility. Makes big plays and acrobatic catches, bench pressed 225/27x; NCAA suspension irrelevant.
4.124 Jordan Cameron, TE, 6′5, 254, USC – long, athletic former WR and hoopster.
5.158 Johnny Culbreath, OT, 6′5, 285, SC State – AP/FCS All-American, 3xMEAC Champ; best lineman in HBCU football – think Larry Little.
6.192 Frank Warren, RB, 5′11, 195, Grambling – AP/FCS All American, “Sweet Feet” broke Walter Payton’s All-time SWAC rushing record w 1,592 yds in 2010; 3rd in NCAA rushing.
7.209 Raymond Webber, WR, 6′2, 215, UAPB – AP/FCS All-American, led NCAA w/ 101 rec. 1,429 yds.; 10TDS, 130 ypg avg. think Jerry Rice. Coach: Monte Coleman.
7.228 Ricardo Lockette, WR/KR, 6′3, 199, FVSU – 2009 DII 200M Champ, 4.39/40
7.229 Matthew Johnson, QB, 5′11, 185 Bethune – 2010 HBCU POY, 2010 MEAC POY
hbcuclassics.com
Dawgman
April 20th, 2011
5:06 pm
The Falcons draft Justin Houston? Never happen. The Falcons have a 40 yr history of bypassing Georgia Bulldog players for lesser prospects. The list is lengthy and includes names like Steve Broussard over Rodney Hampton who the Giants took immediately after the Falcons, Hampton had a great All Pro career, Broussard spent many a game either fumbling, or watching from the sideline; Jammi German over Hines Ward, and on and on. It’s a Falcons tradition “don’t take a Georgia Bulldog player, unless it’s 5th round or free agent”. What will be interesting to see is if the Falcons do pass on Justin Houston how his career stacks up against the player the Falcons pick.
Paddy O
April 20th, 2011
5:47 pm
Don’t see Clayborn – would be OK with JJ Watt or Kerrigan and Houston. But, if Castonzo were available, he would be a great pick. To line up with out other needs, I am actually leaning toward thew WR from Miami, Hankerson. Although, we do need a NCB and a LB – with Nichols probably gone and Peterson showing some age.
Paddy O
April 20th, 2011
5:48 pm
hb – like your first 4 and the Lockette selection. Barely a week to go.
The Thin White Duke
April 20th, 2011
5:50 pm
Do the Falcons take Mark Ingram if he’s still available? Would be tempting.
Josh
April 20th, 2011
6:18 pm
Yes DE No to Clayborn. His eps palsy will not let him suceed at this level Justin Houston is a stud and can put his hand on the ground in the 4-3. Although i really feel we should trade down and collect picks as the draft is deep this year in the positions we need DE, OT, and speedy/tallWR (yes this means we pass on Jernigan too he’s a little fella. If we stay where we are I hope it goes 1st Justin Houston, 2nd Randall Cobb 3rd Casey Mathew, 4th Virgil Geen, 5th Byron Bell, 6th Darvon Adams and with 3 picks in 7th Josh Thomas, Pierre Allan and Garrett Chisholm. If we move down this is out the window.
steven A.
April 20th, 2011
8:33 pm
No stud defensive players will be available when FALCONS pick at 27.
If Jimmy Smith is not available at pick 27 Falcons should draft the following:(1st 4 picks all offense
people)
1, Leonard Hankerson, WR
2. Greg Little, WR
3. Julius Thomas/Virgil Green, TE
4. kendall Hunter, RB
5. Best available dl/cb
6. Best available cb/dl
TD has no clue!
April 21st, 2011
9:41 am
TD will screw it up again. Peria Jerry over Clay Matthews. Nuff said.
colelinski
April 21st, 2011
10:12 am
We sure are blessed with a great bunch of talent judges, they need to apply for jobs with the Falcons.
Mr Blank check this blog for experts. They’ll work for free.
Terrell
April 21st, 2011
11:10 am
Larry
You are so right, we are just to dumb to see that most DEs take about 3 years before you really see any production. We’re dumb because it’s so obvious that a 22-23 year old rookie playing at a position that outside of QB has the hardest learning curve will make this team Super Bowl bound. That’s ok, while you fund the health care I will continue to convice my daugther that the conservatives are taking money from her education so the rich can get richer.
DJ Sniper
April 21st, 2011
3:24 pm
First off, you can’t call Peria Jerry a bust after just 2 season. You do know that it takes a while to fully recover from the type of knee injury that he suffered. Stop with the knee jerk reactions.
This damn labor situation is really screwing things up. If things were normal, I’d say the Falcons would go after a veteran DE in free agency, because it’s rare you get a DE like Dwight Freeney or Julius Peppers who can make an immediate impact. The way things are now, who knows.
DOL, I saw a blurb on ESPN Insider that Pitt WR Jonathan Baldwin has a few red flags on him. Do you have any idea what they may be? With his size (6′4″, 288) and ability (4.4 40 time, 42 inch vertical), he could be the deep threat we need.
DJ Sniper
April 21st, 2011
4:23 pm
My bad. That question about Baldwin was meant for Mark Bradley. I thought this was a DOL blog.
alex9
April 21st, 2011
5:26 pm
I hope they trade the first round 27th pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Larry Fitzgerald and a 5th round pick. If they were to do this, then they would immediately have an impact wide receiver.
They could then go for a DE in the 2nd round.
This would give them an immediate impact WR that I believe wants to play with Roddy White in Atlanta.. Quality DE’s would probably still be available in the 2nd- ie: Austin/ Taylor/ / Mooch/Jenkins.
The 3rd should be a high profile college player . A DE, OT, CB or TE. The 4th and 5th rounds another DE CB, WR,OT, Safety, or TE. There’s quality in these positions in these rounds.
The rest of the draft could be best player available. I hope they are active in the Free Agency market and keep the offensive line free agents in Atlanta.
It’s fun acting as though you may be the one pulling the strings. But I must admit the real pro’s are sitting in the Atlanta War Room and I have a bucket load of confidence in these men. .
Go Falcons and best of luck in the draft. I’m excited about the possibilities.
chipontheroad birdsrus
April 21st, 2011
7:40 pm
JH RC RL
DirtyBirdsin11
April 21st, 2011
7:47 pm
I say we go offense; either line, WR, or RB, highest available on TD’s draft board. I know we gotta have a better pash rush, but DE seems to be a risky position to draft in the 1st round. We already have Jamaal Anderson to remind us of that. I say we hope for the best from Kroy and Sidbury, and hopefully sign or trade for a DE if players do become available. I think the D-line will be improved with the development of Peters and Jerry. This offense has to become more explosive. Matty Ice and the boys were productive last season, but could never put their feet on the gas and run away with the game. Nor could they come back from large deficits; just look at the Philly loss and the GB playoff loss. The Falcons have to get a deep passing game, and more screen passes going for this offense to reach it’s full potential.
Steven A.
April 21st, 2011
8:30 pm
Totally agree with “DirtyBirdsin11.” Offense! Offense! Offense! Could have had
Dez Bryant last draft. These guys have SIGHT but no VISION. Sometimes you
have to take a chance on the Randy Moss and Michael Irvin types. Benchmark
Dimitrioff…”Outside the box just a little.”
FalconFan_notUGAfan
April 22nd, 2011
8:18 am
I would like to see the Falcons draft the best player to fit their needs and not worry about trying to appease the Dawg nation. Contrary to popular belief in the Atlanta area, the Falcons are their own entity and not an extension of UGA. Do we have to go through this every draft?
Sid
April 22nd, 2011
8:20 am
Clayborn if he is available.
*********************************************
Mark Bradley
April 20th, 2011
12:26 pm
The one knock on Thomas Dimitroff: His last two No. 1 picks got hurt.
**********************************************
Unfortunate, yes……….a knock on TD, NO………….!!
Noah
April 22nd, 2011
11:38 am
As a huge falcons fan and georgia native who went to college at the Univ of Iowa I would love nothing more then to see the Falcons draft Clayborn. He did have a down year ni his Sr season but that was due to nagging injuries and alot of double teams and offenses game planning against him. More importantly, I have met Adrian a few times and he is a stand up person. He has the perfect combination of god given talent, determination and humility and humbleness to make him a great locker room guy and a great team player. Its hard to find people who have the combination that Clayborn has. Great guy, unliminted potential, really hard worker. Get him in a Black and Red uni and lets watch him terrorize NFC South QBS for eyars to come!
Adrain Clayborn – “The Predator”
Sure did make those yellow jackets tremble in the Orange bowl!
PlanB
April 22nd, 2011
12:46 pm
Seems we almost all agree that we need help against the pass. So much so, that I say we don’t draft and hope for a 3 year process of training a DE. We find a proven one in FA as we should have done last year. Keeping Grimes is a must. We’ve been thru the process of training him and now he is very capable of holding his own. Use JA#98 money on him. Robinson and Grimes will give a little more time on the rush. If Arthur doesn’t have the money to get the FA DE then we will just stay as a good team that usually makes the playoffs but is completely outclassed once we’re in them.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
PlanB
April 22nd, 2011
12:57 pm
Forgot to mention, if we get a FA DE. we could trade our #1 for a #2 and something else and get 2 good players for less cost.
JKA
April 22nd, 2011
2:31 pm
Pass rushers are always among the most difficult players to find: witness the Giants drafting Ricky Pierre-Paul 16th last year, despite the fact he had only one so-so season in college……If the DE position is as stacked as advertised, I expect most of them will go off the board before the Falcons pick; and rather than reach for a less talented (Heyward) or risky (Houston) player, the Falcons may find that some very good players at other positions are available at 27 who wouldn’t usually last that long. This is especially true if some of the top QBs (like Locker, Dalton and Mallet) go in the top 26.
TD is a noted “needs” drafter, but there may be some great value at non-needs positiona that are too good to pass up.
Black Mountain Bulldog
April 23rd, 2011
7:53 am
If Kerrigan is gone draft Reed or Ayers.
BJR
April 23rd, 2011
11:38 am
rd.1 Jimmy Smith Marvin Austin Jabaal Sheard rd.2 Demarco Murray Jon Baldwin Bruce Carter
rfgh
April 24th, 2011
6:38 am
Mark, in response to the criticism of your using “big words’, please dont dumb down your columns for the semi-literate. Maybe they can use a dictionary and learn something.
Ed
April 25th, 2011
7:34 pm
With the 27th pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Atlanta Falcons select Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State
JoeCool24
April 26th, 2011
5:14 am
Why don’t you ever use photos in your leavings Mark?
For the Falcons, a Round 1 defensive end only makes sense | Mark Bradley
April 27th, 2011
12:55 pm
[...] the draft. The Falcons own the 27th pick in Round 1. Most mock drafts have them exercising that choice on a defensive end — a high-yield pass rusher meets the definition of “explosive player” — and [...]