I was just taking a look at the current NFL Draft Scout rankings.

[jidady]

These are the first ones that are post-declarations. What jumped out at me is how much a few players we have been discussing a lot around here have seen their stock rise or fall over the past couple of months. I'll post the top 300 in a different thread, but I wanted to try a couple of mocks first to make the point about how surprising some of their grades are.

The first is an ordinary mock assuming the Falcons make no trades. I will follow the premise of drafting for need as the new GM has indicated he prefers (blech) with an assumption of us getting a 3rd round and 7th round supplemental pick as well as a 2nd rounder from Houston for Schaub and a 6th rounder from Pittsburgh for Rossum. The number in parenthesis reflects NFLDS' current ranking of the player.

1-3) Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (#4)

2-36) Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (#35)

2-49) Carl Nicks, LT, Nebraska (#50)

3-67) Chad Henne, QB, Michigan (#56)

3-96) Wallace Gilberry, DE, Alabama (#94)

4-102) Eric Young, OG, Tennessee (#102)

5-139) Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado (#140)

6-175) Kirk Barton, RT, Ohio State (#182)

6-193) Michael Grant, FS, Arkansas (#195)

7-208) Ben Moffitt, MLB, South Florida (#217)

7-252) Dexter Jackson, WR/KR, Appalachian State (#250)

The Falcons bring in the franchise player of this draft while securing three quality offensive linemen as well as two upper tier defensive linemen. I know that some here aren't crazy about Henne, but I wanted to make this as accurate a mock as possible. That meant taking Nicks and Henne instead of a couple of better prospects who might slide such as Baker and Woodson. Wallace Gilberry and Terrence Wheatley are two players I love from this draft that no one is discussing yet. I also think Barton would be just as much of a steal at #175 as his old teammate Doug Datish was at #198 last year. Similarly, I like the symmetry of slotting Grant with Chris Houston once more. Dexter Jackson immediately becomes our kick returner while Ben Moffitt would be an absolute steal in round 7. His current grading is a total headscratcher. This mock is fine, but the next one is night and day better.

The second presumes an idea that I would not dismiss. Our new GM trades the #3 pick (assuming we have it) to NE for their #7. Before you say that NE won't trade up, consider that they all but abandoned the draft last year. They chose one quality prospect, Brandon Meriweather. Everyone else was a late day two pick. Given the fact that they have the deepest team in football, it would not surprise me in the least if they made a similar move this year. The conventional wisdom is that they will try to trade down, but I strongly suspect that BB and Pioli will consider going the other way with it. One difference making player should be the goal again. In order to get from #7 to #3 (for a player I would expect to be Chris Long), they would need to give up their late second and third round picks as well as the Oakland third rounder they previously acquired. It also makes sense in that if they want Long, they would probably need to jump Oakland. So, the pieces fit...at least until the coin flip is decided. Such a move would be a cornucopia for the Falcons. I think it would work out something like this:

1-7) Ryan Clady, LT, Boise State (#9)

2-36) Ali Highsmith, OLB, LSU (#29)

2-49) Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson (#46)

2-63) Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee (#74)

3-67) Quintin Demps, FS, UTEP (#73)

3-77) Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State (#81)

3-95) Cody Wallace, OC, Texas A&M (#87)

3-96) Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M (#90)

4-102) Craig Steltz, SS, LSU (#95)

5-139) Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon (#138)

6-175) Matt Forte, RB, Tulane (#167)

6-193) Johnny Dingle, DE, West Virginia (#186)

7-208) Keilen Dykes, DT, West Virginia (#206)

7-252) Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas (#237)

With Clady, we get the LT who can secure the QB's back. We also add one of the best guards and centers in this draft. Factoring in Clabo, Datish, Foster and Blalock, this already would be our long term solution on the offensive line.

We would also secure a ferocious front seven on defense. Just think about adding four productive college defensive linemen and two stud SEC linebackers to our current front seven rotation. We also bring in a safety prospect to compete with Daren Stone after Milloy is gone while also adding two fine college players who are currently being undervalued at RB and WR. The one concern others might have is the way this mock addresses the QB position. If you don't like it, swap out Henne or a slider for Phillip Merling. Personally, I would take my chances with Merling and Dixon any day of the week.

The above isn't even unreasonable. That's what shocks me. We only need for NE to get locked in on a player. If they do, we are the natural team for them to call and they are the perfect fit since they're probably still in quality over quantity mode.

If you want to play with the numbers to see what you can come up with, I'll post the NFLDS top 300 in just a moment.

[jidady]

1

Long, Chris (DE), Virginia 1 6-4 275 4.79

2

Dorsey, Glenn (DT), LSU 1 6-2 316 5.06

3

Long, Jake (OT), Michigan 1 6-7 315 5.08

4

McFadden, *Darren (RB), Arkansas 1 6-2 210 4.42

5

Ryan, Matt (QB), Boston College 1 6-5 224 4.82

6

Ellis, Sedrick (DT), Southern Cal 1 6-1 305 4.96

7

Connor, Dan (ILB), Penn State 1 6-3 232 4.67

8

Jenkins, Mike (CB), South Florida 1 6-0 200 4.49

9

Clady, *Ryan (OT), Boise State 1 6-6 316 5.28

10

Rivers, Keith (OLB), Southern Cal 1 6-3 235 4.63

11

Brohm, Brian (QB), Louisville 1 6-3 227 4.79

12

Cason, Antoine (CB), Arizona 1 6-0 190 4.54

13

Phillips, *Kenny (FS), Miami 1 6-2 208 4.46

14

Jackson, *DeSean (WR), California 1 6-0 178 4.32

15

Harvey, *Derrick (DE), Florida 1 6-5 252 4.73

16

Stewart, *Jonathan (RB), Oregon 1 5-11 235 4.48

17

Gholston, *Vernon (DE), Ohio State 1 6-4 258 4.67

18

Otah, Jeff (OT), Pittsburgh 1 6-6 340 5.36

19

Jones, *Felix (RB), Arkansas 1 6-0 200 4.39

20

Adibi, Xavier (OLB), Virginia Tech 1 6-2 226 4.54

21

Woodson, Andre' (QB), Kentucky 1 6-5 224 4.78

22

Mendenhall, *Rashard (RB), Illinois 1 5-11 210 4.48

23

Doucet, Early (WR), LSU 1 6-0 212 4.54

24

Kelly, *Malcolm (WR), Oklahoma 1 6-4 218 4.54

25

Baker, Sam (OT), Southern Cal 1-2 6-5 312 5.09

26

Smith, *Reggie (CB), Oklahoma 1-2 6-1 198 4.57

27

Sweed, Limas (WR), Texas 1-2 6-5 218 4.58

28

Williams, Chris (OT), Vanderbilt 1-2 6-6 315 5.25

29

Highsmith, Ali (OLB), LSU 1-2 6-0 226 4.56

30

Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique (CB), Tennessee State 1-2 6-2 182 4.44

31

Davis, Fred (TE), Southern Cal 1-2 6-4 248 4.76

32

Campbell, *Calais (DE), Miami 1-2 6-8 282 4.85

33

Johnson, Chris (RB), East Carolina 1-2 5-11 200 4.27

34

Hardy, *James (WR), Indiana 1-2 6-6 220 4.59

35

Balmer, Kentwan (DT), North Carolina 1-2 6-5 298 5.12

36

Jackson, Lawrence (DE), Southern Cal 1-2 6-5 268 4.89

37

Rucker, Martin (TE), Missouri 2 6-5 248 4.69

38

Groves, Quentin (OLB), Auburn 2 6-3 250 4.46

39

Bell, Beau (ILB), UNLV 2 6-2 248 4.63

40

McKelvin, Leodis (CB), Troy 2 5-11 188 4.44

41

Bennett, *Martellus (TE), Texas A&M 2 6-7 248 4.79

42

Collins, *Anthony (OT), Kansas 2 6-6 308 5.08

43

Justice, Steve ©, Wake Forest 2 6-4 285 5.14

44

Caldwell, Andre (WR), Florida 2 6-1 200 4.41

45

Sims, *Pat (DT), Auburn 2 6-4 312 4.98

46

Merling, *Phillip (DE), Clemson 2 6-5 272 4.73

47

Avery, Donnie (WR), Houston 2 5-11 185 4.34

48

Talib, *Aqib (CB), Kansas 2 6-2 202 4.52

49

Manningham, *Mario (WR), Michigan 2 6-0 185 4.48

50

Nicks, Carl (OT), Nebraska 2 6-5 330 5.23

51

Slaton, *Steve (RB), West Virginia 2 5-10 195 4.42

52

Charles, *Jamaal (RB), Texas 2 6-1 200 4.39

53

Tribble, DeJuan (CB), Boston College 2 5-09 190 4.49

54

Lofton, *Curtis (ILB), Oklahoma 2 6-0 238 4.73

55

Moore, Dre (DT), Maryland 2 6-4 305 5.04

56

Henne, Chad (QB), Michigan 2 6-2 225 5.18

57

Bowman, Adarius (WR), Oklahoma State 2 6-4 220 4.53

58

Ellis, Chris (DE), Virginia Tech 2 6-5 256 4.74

59

Henderson, *Erin (OLB), Maryland 2 6-3 242 4.67

60

Cherilus, Gosder (OT), Boston College 2 6-7 315 5.14

61

Okam, Frank (DT), Texas 2-3 6-5 320 5.24

62

Rice, *Ray (RB), Rutgers 2-3 5-09 195 4.53

63

Pollak, Mike ©, Arizona State 2-3 6-4 295 4.98

64

Bennett, *Earl (WR), Vanderbilt 2-3 6-1 205 4.52

65

Thomas, Terrell (CB), Southern Cal 2-3 6-1 198 4.54

66

Ikegwuonu, *Jack (CB), Wisconsin 2-3 6-1 202 4.44

67

Booty, John David (QB), Southern Cal 2-3 6-3 210 4.92

68

Castille, Simeon (FS), Alabama 2-3 6-1 190 4.62

69

Albert, *Branden (OG), Virginia 2-3 6-7 315 5.37

70

Davis, Bruce (OLB), UCLA 2-3 6-3 235 4.69

71

Crable, Shawn (OLB), Michigan 2-3 6-5 245 4.65

72

Carlson, John (TE), Notre Dame 2-3 6-5 256 4.72

73

Demps, Quintin (FS), Texas-El Paso 2-3 6-0 205 4.53

74

Mayo, *Jerod (ILB), Tennessee 2-3 6-2 230 4.67

75

Robertson, Darrell (DE), Georgia Tech 2-3 6-5 245 4.78

76

Cousins, Oniel (OT), Texas-El Paso 2-3 6-4 304 5.06

77

Brennan, Colt (QB), Hawaii 3 6-3 205 4.79

78

Butler, Ezra (OLB), Nevada 3 6-2 248 4.54

79

Thomas, *Devin (WR), Michigan State 3 6-2 215 4.50

80

Porter, Tracy (CB), Indiana 3 5-11 185 4.38

81

Schuening, Roy (OG), Oregon State 3 6-4 318 5.19

82

Flacco, Joe (QB), Delaware 3 6-6 236 4.92

83

Gooden, Tavares (ILB), Miami 3 6-2 235 4.54

84

Flowers, *Brandon (CB), Virginia Tech 3 5-10 190 4.47

85

Davis, *James (RB), Clemson 3 5-11 208 4.48

86

Hall, D.J. (WR), Alabama 3 6-2 190 4.49

87

Wallace, Cody ©, Texas A&M 3 6-4 298 5.28

88

Avril, Cliff (DE), Purdue 3 6-3 250 4.78

89

Greco, John (OT), Toledo 3 6-5 320 5.28

90

Bryant, Red (DT), Texas A&M 3 6-5 328 5.16

91

Adams, Jamar (SS), Michigan 3 6-2 210 4.52

92

Howard, Marcus (OLB), Georgia 3 6-2 245 4.66

93

Tamme, Jacob (TE), Kentucky 3 6-4 232 4.58

94

Gilberry, Wallace (DE), Alabama 3 6-3 265 4.93

95

Steltz, Craig (SS), LSU 3 6-1 210 4.59

96

Hefney, Jonathan (FS), Tennessee 3 5-09 185 4.47

97

Rinehart, Chad (OT), Northern Iowa 3 6-5 312 5.18

98

Hart, Mike (RB), Michigan 3-4 5-09 195 4.57

99

Griffin, Marcus (FS), Texas 3-4 5-11 205 4.58

100

Laws, Trevor (DT), Notre Dame 3-4 6-1 295 5.18

101

Hayes, *Geno (OLB), Florida State 3-4 6-2 220 4.67

102

Young, Eric (OG), Tennessee 3-4 6-4 308 5.18

103

Godfrey, Charles (CB), Iowa 3-4 6-0 208 4.38

104

Felton, Robert (OG), Arkansas 3-4 6-4 312 5.32

105

Lee, Patrick (CB), Auburn 3-4 6-0 195 4.41

106

Finley, *Jermichael (TE), Texas 3-4 6-5 236 4.67

107

Jones, Jason (DE), Eastern Michigan 3-4 6-5 262 4.73

108

Douglas, Harry (WR), Louisville 3-4 5-11 176 4.36

109

Ainge, Erik (QB), Tennessee 3-4 6-6 223 5.06

110

Zbikowski, Tom (SS), Notre Dame 3-4 5-11 210 4.58

111

Simpson, Jerome (WR), Coastal Carolina 3-4 6-2 190 4.52

112

Parker, D.J. (FS), Virginia Tech 3-4 6-0 195 4.50

113

Hills, Tony (OT), Texas 3-4 6-6 305 5.16

114

Wheeler, Philip (ILB), Georgia Tech 3-4 6-2 235 4.62

115

Bryant, Dorien (WR), Purdue 3-4 5-10 176 4.48

116

Pressley, DeMario (DT), North Carolina State 4 6-3 298 5.16

117

Woodyard, Wesley (SS), Kentucky 4 6-1 215 4.49

118

Smith, *Kevin (RB), Central Florida 4 6-1 212 4.53

119

Schmitt, Owen (FB), West Virginia 4 6-2 250 4.73

120

Johnson, Josh (QB), San Diego 4 6-3 198 4.74

121

Benedict, Heath (OG), Newberry 4 6-6 328 4.99

122

Keller, Dustin (TE), Purdue 4 6-3 242 4.85

123

Lowery, Dwight (CB), San Jose State 4 6-1 185 4.55

124

Bowen, Alvin (OLB), Iowa State 4 6-3 224 4.58

125

McGlynn, Mike (OT), Pittsburgh 4 6-5 318 5.25

126

Hawkins, Lavelle (WR), California 4 5-11 186 4.48

127

Brown, Titus (DE), Mississippi State 4 6-3 248 4.74

128

King, *Justin (CB), Penn State 4 6-0 186 4.38

129

Fluellen, Andre (DT), Florida State 4 6-2 288 5.03

130

Royal, Eddie (WR), Virginia Tech 4 5-10 184 4.39

131

Morgan, *DaJuan (FS), North Carolina State 4 6-1 205 4.50

132

Williams, Trae (CB), South Florida 4-5 5-10 193 4.40

133

Kehl, Bryan (OLB), BYU 4-5 6-3 235 4.65

134

Cottam, Brad (TE), Tennessee 4-5 6-8 270 4.74

135

Choice, Tashard (RB), Georgia Tech 4-5 5-11 208 4.57

136

Franklin, Will (WR), Missouri 4-5 6-1 205 4.45

137

Wolfe, D.J. (SS), Oklahoma 4-5 5-11 205 4.55

138

Dixon, Dennis (QB), Oregon 4-5 6-4 205 4.58

139

Thomas, Donald (OG), Connecticut 4-5 6-4 292 4.95

140

Wheatley, Terrence (CB), Colorado 4-5 5-09 178 4.44

141

Radovich, Drew (OT), Southern Cal 4-5 6-5 305 5.18

142

Hall, Vince (ILB), Virginia Tech 4-5 6-0 238 4.89

143

Nelson, Jordy (WR), Kansas State 4-5 6-3 215 4.57

144

Rubin, Ahtyba (DT), Iowa State 4-5 6-3 320 5.25

145

Sullivan, John ©, Notre Dame 4-5 6-3 305 5.23

146

Blake, Tommy (DE), TCU 4-5 6-3 258 4.73

147

Burton, Keenan (WR), Kentucky 4-5 6-1 200 4.50

148

Dizon, Jordon (OLB), Colorado 5 6-0 226 4.67

149

O'Connell, Kevin (QB), San Diego State 5 6-6 228 4.68

150

Freeman-Davis, Kellen (TE), Michigan State 5 6-6 252 4.73

151

Goff, Jonathan (ILB), Vanderbilt 5 6-2 238 4.72

152

Sosa, Pedro (OT), Rutgers 5 6-4 296 5.18

153

Jackson, Chevis (CB), LSU 5 6-0 192 4.58

154

Bess, *Davone (WR), Hawaii 5 5-10 195 4.57

155

DeCoud, Thomas (FS), California 5 6-2 195 4.55

156

Lichtensteiger, Kory ©, Bowling Green 5 6-3 310 5.26

157

Rachal, *Chilo (OG), Southern Cal 5 6-5 315 5.21

158

Hayden, Nick (DT), Wisconsin 5 6-4 305 5.13

159

Williams, Jack (CB), Kent State 5 5-09 180 4.47

160

Harrington, Chris (DE), Texas A&M 5 6-5 268 4.79

161

Brown, Duane (OT), Virginia Tech 5 6-5 300 4.95

162

Hubbard, Paul (WR), Wisconsin 5 6-3 218 4.49

163

Langford, Kendall (DE), Hampton 5 6-6 295 4.97

164

Powell, Carlton (DT), Virginia Tech 5 6-3 300 4.98

165

Alridge, Anthony (WR), Houston 5 5-09 174 4.34

166

Barrett, Josh (SS), Arizona State 5 6-2 225 4.55

167

Forte, Matt (RB), Tulane 5 6-2 222 4.56

168

Strong, Darrell (TE), Pittsburgh 5-6 6-5 260 4.82

169

Gatewood, Curtis (OLB), Vanderbilt 5-6 6-2 242 4.64

170

Brooks, Durant (P), Georgia Tech 5-6 6-1 202 4.92

171

Barber, Dominique (FS), Minnesota 5-6 6-0 205 4.55

172

Silva, Jamie (SS), Boston College 5-6 5-11 205 4.62

173

Terrell, Darnell (CB), Missouri 5-6 6-2 200 4.43

174

Hillis, Peyton (FB), Arkansas 5-6 6-2 242 4.67

175

Dotson, Lionel (DT), Arizona 5-6 6-4 288 5.08

176

Crummey, Andrew (OG), Maryland 5-6 6-5 308 5.32

177

Thompson, Jeremy (DE), Wake Forest 5-6 6-5 262 4.79

178

McClinton, James (DT), Kansas 5-6 6-0 289 4.92

179

Ortiz, Chase (DE), TCU 5-6 6-2 256 4.84

180

Patrick, Allen (RB), Oklahoma 5-6 6-1 195 4.45

181

Flynn, Matt (QB), LSU 5-6 6-2 228 4.68

182

Barton, Kirk (OT), Ohio State 5-6 6-5 312 5.28

183

Larsen, Spencer (ILB), Arizona 5-6 6-2 243 4.82

184

Arrington, *Adrian (WR), Michigan 5-6 6-3 190 4.54

185

Zuttah, Jeremy (OT), Rutgers 5-6 6-3 295 5.26

186

Dingle, *Johnny (DE), West Virginia 5-6 6-3 273 4.84

187

Grice-Mullen, *Ryan (WR), Hawaii 5-6 5-11 183 4.53

188

Branch, Tyvon (CB), Connecticut 5-6 6-0 198 4.45

189

Boyd, Cory (RB), South Carolina 6 6-0 218 4.54

190

Richard, Jamey ©, Buffalo 6 6-5 300 5.20

191

Craig, Angelo (OLB), Cincinnati 6 6-5 235 4.66

192

McDuffie, Chris (OG), Clemson 6 6-4 328 5.30

193

Hester, Jacob (FB), LSU 6 5-11 228 4.63

194

Zenon, Jonathan (CB), LSU 6 6-0 180 4.58

195

Grant, Michael (FS), Arkansas 6 5-11 198 4.58

196

Horton, Chris (SS), UCLA 6 6-1 212 4.63

197

Stevens, Craig (TE), California 6 6-4 252 4.77

198

Dunbar, Jo-Lonn (ILB), Boston College 6 6-1 228 4.79

199

Collins, Jed (FB), Washington State 6 6-2 254 4.88

200

Harrison, Marcus (DT), Arkansas 6 6-3 312 5.09

201

Keller, Sam (QB), Nebraska 6 6-3 228 4.89

202

Gibson, Mike (OG), California 6 6-4 308 5.25

203

Iwebema, Kenny (DE), Iowa 6 6-4 265 4.89

204

Reynaud, *Darius (WR), West Virginia 6 5-10 205 4.47

205

Dunlap, King (OT), Auburn 6 6-9 312 5.06

206

Dykes, Keilen (DT), West Virginia 6 6-4 295 5.06

207

Dragosavich, Mike (P), North Dakota State 6 6-5 210 4.85

208

Morgan, Josh (WR), Virginia Tech 6 6-1 215 4.46

209

Oliver, Adamm (DE), Georgia Tech 6 6-4 268 4.84

210

Richardson, Barry (OT), Clemson 6 6-7 338 5.24

211

Rivers, Jason (WR), Hawaii 6 6-2 194 4.54

212

Watkins, Nick (OLB), Clemson 6-7 6-1 220 4.68

213

Campbell, Caleb (SS), Army 6-7 6-2 223 4.53

214

Fontenot, Wilrey (CB), Arizona 6-7 5-09 176 4.49

215

Johnson, Curtis (DE), Clark Atlanta 6-7 6-3 245 4.64

216

Roach, David (FS), TCU 6-7 6-1 212 4.49

217

Moffitt, Ben (ILB), South Florida 6-7 6-2 245 4.69

218

Vobora, David (OLB), Idaho 6-7 6-1 220 4.57

219

Savage, Dantrell (RB), Oklahoma State 6-7 5-09 190 4.40

220

Walker, Marcus (CB), Oklahoma 6-7 5-11 198 4.45

221

Haynos, Joey (TE), Maryland 6-7 6-8 262 4.88

222

Felton, Jerome (FB), Furman 6-7 6-0 246 4.68

223

Tevaga, Shannon (OG), UCLA 6-7 6-3 318 5.08

224

Carmody, Art (K), Louisville 6-7 5-09 168 5.12

225

Johnston, Brian (DE), Gardner-Webb 6-7 6-5 276 4.84

226

Spanos, Matt ©, Southern Cal 6-7 6-5 305 5.24

227

Clark, Devin (OG), New Mexico 6-7 6-4 320 5.26

228

Morris, Bernard (QB), Marshall 6-7 6-4 212 4.76

229

Smith, Marcus (WR), New Mexico 6-7 6-1 210 4.52

230

Finley, J.J. (TE), Oklahoma 6-7 6-6 258 4.76

231

Bradford, Mark (WR), Stanford 6-7 6-1 212 4.56

232

Keith, Brandon (OT), Northern Iowa 6-7 6-5 336 5.22

233

Giacomini, Breno (OT), Louisville 6-7 6-7 305 5.09

234

Booker, Barry (DT), Virginia Tech 6-7 6-4 284 4.98

235

Brown, Thomas (RB), Georgia 6-7 5-09 198 4.49

236

Fields, Joe (FS), Syracuse 6-7 6-0 205 4.49

237

Monk, Marcus (WR), Arkansas 6-7 6-6 218 4.59

238

Clark, Corey (OT), Texas A&M 6-7 6-6 318 5.16

239

Murray, Maurice (DT), New Mexico State 6-7 6-4 310 4.98

240

Tryon, Justin (CB), Arizona State 6-7 5-09 179 4.44

241

Smith, Paul (QB), Tulsa 7 6-1 198 4.93

242

Holmes, Louis (DE), Arizona 7 6-4 270 4.83

243

Humpal, Mike (OLB), Iowa 7 6-2 242 4.68

244

Caulcrick, Jehuu (FB), Michigan State 7 6-0 258 4.73

245

Johnson, Tyrell (SS), Arkansas State 7 6-0 198 4.53

246

Barnidge, Gary (TE), Louisville 7 6-6 235 4.77

247

Brown, Kerry (OG), Appalachian State 7 6-5 310 5.25

248

McClain, Jameel (ILB), Syracuse 7 6-1 253 4.85

249

Johnson, Kelin (FS), Georgia 7 6-0 195 4.58

250

Jackson, Dexter (WR), Appalachian State 7 5-09 178 4.36

251

Guyton, Gary (OLB), Georgia Tech 7 6-2 245 4.76

252

Abdullah, Husain (FS), Washington State 7 6-0 198 4.55

253

Johnson, Steve (WR), Kentucky 7 6-2 200 4.49

254

Schwartz, Geoff (OT), Oregon 7 6-7 335 5.42

255

Velasco, Fernando ©, Georgia 7 6-3 318 5.14

256

Wilhite, Jonathan (CB), Auburn 7 5-09 187 4.49

257

Little, Rafael (RB), Kentucky 7 5-09 194 4.49

258

Hout, Kurt (DT), Ferris State 7 6-1 280 4.88

259

Sharpe, Glenn (CB), Miami 7 6-0 186 4.42

260

Lokey, Derek (DT), Texas 7-FA 6-2 288 5.14

261

Doggett, Derrick (SS), Oregon State 7-FA 6-2 208 4.53

262

Hardie, Rudolph (DE), Howard 7-FA 6-2 270 4.77

263

Serna, Alexis (K), Oregon State 7-FA 5-06 172 4.62

264

Allen, Steve (ILB), West Texas AM 7-FA 6-1 238 4.67

265

Moore, Kenneth (WR), Wake Forest 7-FA 5-11 200 4.58

266

Keglar, Stanford (OLB), Purdue 7-FA 6-2 246 4.69

267

Fagg, De'Cody (WR), Florida State 7-FA 6-2 212 4.47

268

Morelli, Anthony (QB), Penn State 7-FA 6-4 225 4.93

269

Bishop, Adam (TE), Nevada 7-FA 6-5 245 4.76

270

Bonner, Brian (SS), TCU 7-FA 5-11 198 4.57

271

Williams, Thomas (OLB), Southern Cal 7-FA 6-2 240 4.74

272

Cox, Brandon (QB), Auburn 7-FA 6-2 205 4.82

273

Kraus, Adam (OG), Michigan 7-FA 6-6 305 5.28

274

Stewart, Carl (FB), Auburn 7-FA 6-1 228 4.59

275

Urrutia, *Mario (WR), Louisville 7-FA 6-6 225 4.64

276

Clermond, Joe (DE), Pittsburgh 7-FA 6-3 260 4.98

277

Biermann, Kroy (OLB), Montana 7-FA 6-3 242 4.74

278

Fladell, Mike (OG), Rutgers 7-FA 6-6 325 5.39

279

Henderson, Mikey (WR), Georgia 7-FA 5-08 152 4.36

280

Polumbus, Tyler (OT), Colorado 7-FA 6-7 305 5.22

281

Coleman, Steven (DT), Oklahoma 7-FA 6-4 305 5.16

282

McAnderson, Brandon (FB), Kansas 7-FA 5-11 238 4.67

283

Santi, Tom (TE), Virginia 7-FA 6-4 248 4.82

284

Dixon, Marcus (DE), Hampton 7-FA 6-4 298 5.08

285

Harper, Justin (WR), Virginia Tech 7-FA 6-4 198 4.43

286

Mehlhaff, Taylor (K), Wisconsin 7-FA 5-10 185 4.92

287

Coleman, Marcus ©, Wisconsin 7-FA 6-5 306 5.26

288

Kern, Brett (P), Toledo 7-FA 6-3 195

289

Ruud, Bo (OLB), Nebraska 7-FA 6-3 238 4.76

290

Dunbar, *Franklin (OT), Middle Tennessee State 7-FA 6-5 328 5.32

291

Mundy, Ryan (FS), West Virginia 7-FA 6-1 208 4.52

292

Leman, Jeremy (ILB), Illinois 7-FA 6-2 240 4.82

293

Scandrick, *Orlando (CB), Boise State 7-FA 5-11 188 4.49

294

Sumrall, Brandon (SS), Southern Miss 7-FA 5-10 195 4.53

295

McRae, Kalvin (RB), Ohio 7-FA 5-09 208 4.54

296

Bell, Demetrius (OT), Northwestern State (LA) 7-FA 6-5 283 5.09

297

Green-Ellis, BenJarvus (RB), Mississippi 7-FA 5-11 220 4.54

298

Larson, Andrew (P), California 7-FA 6-1 195 4.94

299

Molden, Antwaun (CB), Eastern Kentucky 7-FA 6-1 195 4.56

300

Williams, Bobbie (FS), Bethune-Cookman 7-FA 6-0 214 4.55

[Pacific_Falcon]

The second presumes an idea that I would not dismiss. Our new GM trades the #3 pick (assuming we have it) to NE for their #7. Before you say that NE won't trade up, consider that they all but abandoned the draft last year. They chose one quality prospect, Brandon Meriweather. Everyone else was a late day two pick. Given the fact that they have the deepest team in football, it would not surprise me in the least if they made a similar move this year. The conventional wisdom is that they will try to trade down, but I strongly suspect that BB and Pioli will consider going the other way with it. One difference making player should be the goal again. In order to get from #7 to #3 (for a player I would expect to be Chris Long), they would need to give up their late second and third round picks as well as the Oakland third rounder they previously acquired. It also makes sense in that if they want Long, they would probably need to jump Oakland. So, the pieces fit...at least until the coin flip is decided. Such a move would be a cornucopia for the Falcons. I think it would work out something like this:

1-7) Ryan Clady, LT, Boise State (#9)

2-36) Ali Highsmith, OLB, LSU (#29)

2-49) Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson (#46)

2-63) Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee (#74)

3-67) Quintin Demps, FS, UTEP (#73)

3-77) Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State (#81)

3-95) Cody Wallace, OC, Texas A&M (#87)

3-96) Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M (#90)

4-102) Craig Steltz, SS, LSU (#95)

5-139) Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon (#138)

6-175) Matt Forte, RB, Tulane (#167)

6-193) Johnny Dingle, DE, West Virginia (#186)

7-208) Keilen Dykes, DT, West Virginia (#206)

7-252) Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas (#237)

With Clady, we get the LT who can secure the QB's back. We also add one of the best guards and centers in this draft. Factoring in Clabo, Datish, Foster and Blalock, this already would be our long term solution on the offensive line.

We would also secure a ferocious front seven on defense. Just think about adding four productive college defensive linemen and two stud SEC linebackers to our current front seven rotation. We also bring in a safety prospect to compete with Daren Stone after Milloy is gone while also adding two fine college players who are currently being undervalued at RB and WR. The one concern others might have is the way this mock addresses the QB position. If you don't like it, swap out Henne or a slider for Phillip Merling. Personally, I would take my chances with Merling and Dixon any day of the week.

The above isn't even unreasonable. That's what shocks me. We only need for NE to get locked in on a player. If they do, we are the natural team for them to call and they are the perfect fit since they're probably still in quality over quantity mode.

If you want to play with the numbers to see what you can come up with, I'll post the NFLDS top 300 in just a moment.

Interesting. I will admit, I do not know though why you see DE and OLB as such a dire need to use 2 of our earliest picks on them. In my opinion, CB and MLB are much more critical. But I am also assuming Hall is gone after his contract is up, and I am thinking ahead because I'd like his replacement to get a year of experience so we don't throw him into the fire as we did Houston. I like Brooking, but he's a mediocre MLB at best, so its good u choose to address that in rd 2. With Coleman's health issues and Trey Lewis blowing out his knee, i think we need a solid DT in this draft, my preference being the DT from Maryland (Dre Moore i think his name is). I agree with stockpiling the OL for sure, although a lot of mocks have Clady being gone before the 7th pick. While I love norwood, i also believe we need a bruising RB to help our red zone offense, so i would consider trading down past 7th to get a better 2nd rd pick and take mendenhall or stewart. think of it this way...imagine getting 3 or more good OL prospects AND sticking a powerful RB behind that upgraded OL.

I like the theory behind amassing all those picks, though. Even a meathead like McKay would get a pick or two right with that many selections in the draft :P

[defensedefensedefense]

Heres one...

Trade down with Denver from the 4th pick. They want Sedrick Ellis/Glenn Dorsey if he drops, before Oakland gets him(there run defense is abysmal) We get their 12th, 44th and 76th selections...

1- 12) Kenny Phillips FS Miami(13)

2- 37) Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt(28)

2- 44) Beau Bell ILB UNLV(39)

2- 49) Pat Sims DT Auburn(45)

3- 68) John David Booty QB Souther Cal(67)

3- 76) Darrell Robertson DE GT(75)

3- 96) Red Bryant DT Texas A&M(90)

4-100) Marcus Howard OLB Georgia(92)

5-140) Mike McGlynn OC(125)

6-164) Chilo Rachal OG Southern Cal(158)

7-196) Cory Boyd RB South Carolina(190)

7-215) King Dunlap OT Auburn(205)

[IrishDart24]

defensedefensedefense (1/17/2008)

---

Heres one...

Trade down with Denver from the 4th pick. They want Sedrick Ellis/Glenn Dorsey if he drops, before Oakland gets him(there run defense is abysmal) We get their 12th, 44th and 76th selections...

Thats just stupid. Denver might want Ellis or Dorsey, but not bad enough to give up their 1st 3 rounds.

Why is it that everyone agrees that the draft is deep and there is lots of talent available, but think that no other team realises that.

WE know that we can get great quality talent in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rds, but the other teams are so stupid they're willing to do any kind of deal just to get one of the top players in a loaded draft.

Like I said, stupid.

[defensedefensedefense]

IrishDart24 (1/17/2008)

---

defensedefensedefense (1/17/2008)

---

Heres one...

Trade down with Denver from the 4th pick. They want Sedrick Ellis/Glenn Dorsey if he drops, before Oakland gets him(there run defense is abysmal) We get their 12th, 44th and 76th selections...

Thats just stupid. Denver might want Ellis or Dorsey, but not bad enough to give up their 1st 3 rounds.

Why is it that everyone agrees that the draft is deep and there is lots of talent available, but think that no other team realises that.

WE know that we can get great quality talent in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rds, but the other teams are so stupid they're willing to do any kind of deal just to get one of the top players in a loaded draft.

Like I said, stupid.

It may not be reasonable, but stranger things have happened...

The draft may be deep, but it certainly isnt deep at the DT position IMO. After Dorsey/Ellis who are the DT's that could come in and make an impact from day one?

Balmer has motor issues that seem to have been addressed last season, but scouts also think he may of been playing for a decent grade and nice contract.

Okam has issues also. He doesnt keep low in his pads and gets moved off the LOS to easily for a man his size.

Sims should of stayed in college IMHO. He has all the talent in the world, but just doesnt utilize it.

Denvers run D was horrific last season. The other holes they need to fill is S(Lynch and Ferguson are both old) and maybe a MLB so DJ Williams can move back outside, or OLB and leave Williams in the middle.

If they think they are a top tier DT away from playoff contention, just watch them instigate a trade for one of them. It may not include a 2nd/3rd in this years draft, it could involve their 2nd next year also or a player...

Denver was last in run defense and second last in points allowed...

If they did trade up, they could still get a decent FS later in the draft and a guy like Moffit for MLB. One thing you have to remember is not every team has as many needs as Atlanta, some are just a couple of impact players away from playoffs;)

You may think its stupid, but how many people in here last year wanted to trade up for CJ? and from all reports, we actually looked into it...

[Jerry Maguire]

jidady, you know I love Wheatley in this draft! And Matt Forte in the 6th... :w00t:

[Kayoh]

Imagine if we picked 3rd. Dallas would want our pick so bad when McFadden dropped to us because Oakland and Kansas City would both take him if they'd get the opportunity to. I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas pulled the trigger and traded us their pair of 1sts and their 2009 2nd to get our 1st. Then we'd have a pair of picks in each day 1 round.

1(22): Andre Woodson // QB // Kentucky

1(30): Chris Williams // LT // Vanderbilt

2(3): Beau Bell // MLB // UNLV

2(18): Frank Okam // DT // Texas

3(3): Roy Schuening // OG // Oregon State

3©: Mike Hart // HB // Michigan

That'd be a stellar first day.

[Draftnut57]

Rd=1 Pick=5 Rank=6

Ellis, Sedrick (DT), Southern Cal 1 6-1 305 4.96

Rd=2 Pick=34 Rank=

Collins, *Anthony (OT), Kansas 2 6-6 308 5.08

Rd=2 Pick=49 Rank=50

Nicks, Carl (OT), Nebraska 2 6-5 330 5.23

Rd=3 Pick=69 Rank= 82

Flacco, Joe (QB), Delaware 3 6-6 236 4.92

Rd=4 Pick=101 Rank=118

Smith, *Kevin (RB), Central Florida 4 6-1 212 4.53

Rd=4 Pick=139 Rank=151

Goff, Jonathan (ILB), Vanderbilt 5 6-2 238 4.72

Rd=5 Pick=151 Rank=173

Terrell, Darnell (CB), Missouri 5-6 6-2 200 4.43

Rd=6 Pick=190 Rank=208

Oliver, Adamm (DE), Georgia Tech 6 6-4 268 4.84

Rd=7 Pick=228 Rank235

Brown, Thomas (RB), Georgia 6-7 5-09 198

Rd=7 Pick=256 Rank=263

Serna, Alexis (K), Oregon State 7-FA 5-06 172 4.62

[metalfalcon]

Jidaddy, I would definitely take that second mock draft scenario. That would be insane!!!

Marcus Monk in the seventh and Johnny Dingle in the sixth, wow!

1-7) Ryan Clady, LT, Boise State (#9)

2-36) Ali Highsmith, OLB, LSU (#29)

2-49) Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson (#46)

2-63) Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee (#74)

3-67) Quintin Demps, FS, UTEP (#73)

3-77) Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State (#81)

3-95) Cody Wallace, OC, Texas A&M (#87)

3-96) Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M (#90)

4-102) Craig Steltz, SS, LSU (#95)

5-139) Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon (#138)

6-175) Matt Forte, RB, Tulane (#167)

6-193) Johnny Dingle, DE, West Virginia (#186)

7-208) Keilen Dykes, DT, West Virginia (#206)

7-252) Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas (#237)