Post Combine Mock Draft

[Joshua Affonso]

1a. DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU; (6-2, 315 lbs.)- What more is there to be said? Dorsey is a great prospect and I have strong reason to believe that he will be the pick here because Miami and St. Louis will pass on him because of injury concerns, and they will go with more "sure thing" prospects such as Chris and Jake Long, or even maybe Darren McFadden or Matt Ryan. If he does fall to us, then I think that we should snap him up without even thinking about it. ****, for all I know we could have been the team that let leack that Dorsey's injury was lingering to a point that it may effect his future play. It would certainly make sense, and we know that Mike Smith and TD are very high on Dorsey. I personally think that getting Dorsey at 3 would be a fantastic pick. We need a DT so back, worse than we need a quarterback. Jake Long could be a good pick here, but honestly, don't expect him to be such a dominant pass blocker in the NFL, especially not at first. I also do not like the idea of taking a LT in the top-3. Just my two cents.

1b. OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh; (6-6, 332 lbs.)- Otah may not be at the top of everyone's draft board, but we may pick up a very solid left tackle here. Otah has outstanding size and strength, and he and Jake Long I believe are the best fits for Mularkey's supposed "power running" offense. Like Long, Otah may not be as good of a fit at left tackle as he is for right tackle, but the difference between the prospects is that it makes more sense to pick up a solid RT in the late first than in the top three. Keep in mind that Otah is still very raw, and he needs to work on using is long arms and huge frame in pass protection. A little bit of coaching, however, and Otah could be a solid tackle for us for a long time. If OT Chris Williams somehow slips to our pick here, then I say we should pick him over anyone else, as I think that he and Clady are the best pure left tackles in this draft. Unfortunately, Williams' stock continues to rise and it seems more likely that he will be selected by Carolina or another mid-first round team. Because of the push that Joe Flacco is making, there seems to be a high possibility that Brian Brohm could slip to our pick here, and if he is infact there I think that we should take him if he is there.

2a. QB Chad Henne, Michigan; (6-2, 225)- It is really a shame that in the year that we so desprately need a quarterback, there is no real elite prosect. However, because of the lack of a true "franchise" signal caller this year, we can justify taking another talented player in the top three, especially because there is such little difference between the first and fourth rated quarterbacks. I originally had Flacco as the pick here, but his big arm and excellent hight paired with a solid combine I believe will push him into the first round, and honestly I see Henne as the safer prospect anyway. While his arm is not as wowing as Flacco's, Henne still possesses more than adiquate throwing strength. He also has good intangibles and is a four year starter, which is another plus. Another thing that I like about Henne is that he comes from a pro-style offense in college, and therefore the transition from college to the NFL will not be as difficult for Henne as it will be for other Quarterbacks, such as Johnson, Flacco or even Brohm and Woodson. I wish he was a little bit taller, but Henne has good enough size to where I don't worry about frailty, and he is actually known to play through injury. Henne is not my favorite quarterback, but he is a solid pick all the same.

2b. HB Ray Rice, 5-9, 195; Rutgers- This guy is one of my favorite players coming out this year, and he is vastly underrated because of his size. In the world of fourty times, a great player like Rice tends to be overlooked. Personally, I don't care how fast Rice can run fourty yards, this guy can play football. People look at his size and weight and think "finesse back", or they say "this guy must run like Warrick Dunn". They couldn't be more wrong. Ray Rice runs with power and authority, and he can run between the tackles with much success. He has also proven that he can handle a full load, and he is durable. Everyone, here is our compliment to Norwoods finesse. Rice will come in and suprise everyone with how well we fits into our up-the-middle power running style. Rice is also a good pass blocker, and could be used as an option in the passing game as well. Steal of the draft.

3a. CB/FS Terrell Thomas, USC; (6-1, 198 lbs.)- Thomas is the perfect fit for the cover two. He has the size (6-1, 198), the zone awareness and the tackling skills. Thomas is a guy that I really like a lot because he plays with the same type of intensity that DeAngelo Hall does, but he does it in a team-first manner. Great intangibles. Hard worker. Solid strength and in-line speed, and his trouble changing directions will not be as much of a liability in the cover two.Thomas can lay the wood on ball carriers, and he has great tackling technique. Good ball skills, he can recognize where to be and when. Thomas also has blitzing ability, which is a plus. Another 'tweener who can play either CB or FS, much like Jimmy Williams. Good in press.

3b. ILB Vince Hall, 6-0, 238; Va Tech- Vince Hall didn't blow anyone away at the combine, but he truely has a nose for the ball, and he can attack the LOS. Hall will scare some teams away because of his lack of upper-body size, but his lower body is tough and he can maintain his ground against lead blockers in the hole. Personally, my favorite attribtue about Hall is that, though he lacks good timed speed, he has amazing instincts and he has a nose for the ball. His good playing speed lets him be a sideline to sideline type player, and the exact type of guy we want manning the middle here. He will struggle in man to man matchups with tight ends and running backs, but he is proficient in zone coverage. Has good zone awareness and feeling for where to be. Vince Hall is also a very hard worker, and he has room to grow.

3c (PK Comp). SS/WLB Wesley Woodyard, 6-1, 219; Kentucky- Woodyard worked out at the combine as a linebacker but, as I stated in my previous mock draft, he is a far better fit at the SS position. The more I break down his play, the more he reminds me of a young Lawyer Milloy, because of his size and ability to take on blockers and attack the LOS. Woodyard is perhaps more athletic then Milloy in his prime, and he always seems to be around the ball. Will be proficient in zone play, such as we will run here under Coach Smith. He is a physical player who can contribute immidietly on special teams. Ran an impressive 4.51 official 40 yard dash at the combine. Eventual replacement for Lawyer Milloy at SS.

4. OG/OT Jeremy Zuttah, 6-3, 295; Rutgers- I know that some people have Zuttah pegged as a Zone blocking OT, but I think that benching 35 reps at the combine tells us that he has enough upper body strength to sustain blocks on the inside. I would envision him having to put on some weight but Zuttah has raw talent and he can play any position on the line. Zuttah has played at both the tackle and guard positions, but he might project best at OC. Reminds me of a Tyson Clabo type of versitle OL player, and you can never have too many of those.

5. DE Jeremy Thompson, 6-5, 264; Wake Forest- Outstanding physical specimen, great size and toughness. Good arm length. Thompson is good in run support and great in persuit, but he lacks the moves to get at the quarterback in the pass rush. There is so much potential here, and I think that Thompson could work into our defensive line rotation, and perhaps eventually work into the starting lineup as a replacement for Abe. Ran a 4.75 fourty yard dash at the combine, but he ran a 4.23 20 yard shuttle and finished third in the three cone drill with a 6.97. Rushed the quarterback from the standing poition some in college. I think that Thompson had a good enough combine to work himself into the fifth round, and we need depth at this position. With the right coaching Thompson could develop into an outstanding all-around defensive end. Needs to work on his first step. I like this pick so much I think because it is a low risk pick with a high ceiling of oppertunity.

6. FS Corey Lynch, 6-1, 204; Appalachian State- Scouts are very high on this guy, and I am starting to agree with them. Lynch plays with good awareness for the zone coverages, and he has a knack for being where the ball is. Plays with a lot of effort and is a sideline to sideline type of safety. Useful in run support. Even if Lynch does not become and eventual starter, he will come in and be an outstanding special teams player. Lynch is great a blocking punts, and I am not just talking about the Michigan game...he does it frequently. Good timed speed, though not elite. Roughly a 4.60 in the 40 yard dash. I firmly believe that if we do not move Jimmy Williams to corner, we should give him at least one year to start at safety, so I make this as a depth/special teams pick. Lynch did not get inited to the combine, so we might be able to grab him in the seventh, but I doubt it.

7a. WR Arman Shields, Richmond; (6-1, 188 lbs.)- Originally I had Shields as a guy we could look at as an UDFA, but he came in and had an outstanding combine, which should raise his stock enough to justify taking him here. He is a lesser known, small school prospect who has a good timed speed (4.44) and he finished third rated in the vertical jump (37.5), and second in the board jump (10'8"). Shows good extension and willingness to go for the ball. Muscular reciever who is absolutely ripped. Shows ability to break tackles and run after the catch. I honestly have some trouble finding something that I don't like about Sheilds. He does have some injury concerns, but I feel like he has enough talent and upside to make this a logical selection. Level of competition at Richmond University is a question, and he might take some time to adjust to NFL game speed and toughness.

7b. PK Brandon Coutu, 5-11, 187; Georgia- Insert your favorite kicker here. Coutu might go undrafted, and if we see that as a legitimate possibility, then we could go for some more depth and talent here, and then sign Coutu out of FA. There is little question that Coutu has the leg to kick in the NFL. If you don't think that we need a kicker then you have never watched a Falcons game. If we think that Coutu, or a comperable kicker will be available in FA, then I think that we could target the blocking TE Craig Stevens from California with this pick.

[Joshua Affonso]

If forgot to put that my draft assumes that we trade DeAngelo Hall for the Giants first and third round picks, we receive a third-round compensation for PK.

[Just_the_Truth]

How did we get that extra 1st round pick?

[Joshua Affonso]

Oh, typo:

"I do not like the idea of taking a LT in the top-3". I meant to say "I do not like the idea of taking a RT in the top-3". Ooops, haha.

[Lord Sarcomere]

I may be mistaken, but didn't Otah look bad at the combine? I heard that he projects to be more of a OG in the NFL.

[Just_the_Truth]

I would rather take Chris Williams or Carl Nicks at the 31st pick and then instead of Vince Hall I would rather have an OG like Mike McGlynn or Chilo Rachal.

[scott24falcs]

bush (2/27/2008)

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I may be mistaken, but didn't Otah look bad at the combine? I heard that he projects to be more of a OG in the NFL.

The announcers were commenting a lot on how he was too "high" in some of the drills. He's a monster of a man, but from the little I saw of him during the season, he actually showed some nice pass blocking skills. His footwork and hips are actually pretty good for a big man like he is.

[scott24falcs]

BTW, nice job on the mock.

[Joshua Affonso]

Just_the_Truth (2/27/2008)

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I would rather take Chris Williams or Carl Nicks at the 31st pick and then instead of Vince Hall I would rather have an OG like Mike McGlynn or Chilo Rachal.

Thanks for the feedback.

We need to pick a ILB sometime during the draft, and I see Hall as a good canidate. Thats just my opinion, though.

Unfortunately, Chris Williams will be long gone by 31. Carl Nicks is probably more of an early third round pick.

[Joshua Affonso]

scott24falcs (2/27/2008)

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BTW, nice job on the mock.

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it.

[Joshua Affonso]

Joshua Affonso (2/27/2008)

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Just_the_Truth (2/27/2008)

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I would rather take Chris Williams or Carl Nicks at the 31st pick and then instead of Vince Hall I would rather have an OG like Mike McGlynn or Chilo Rachal.

Thanks for the feedback.

We need to pick a ILB sometime during the draft, and I see Hall as a good canidate. Thats just my opinion, though.

oops, I mean second round pick. Haha, I don't know what's with all of the typos today.

Unfortunately, Chris Williams will be long gone by 31. Carl Nicks is probably more of an early third round pick.

[FalconBlood]

i don't mind it.

[DrDetecto]

I really like this one, it's a lot like one I'm working on now. I love Dorsey, Otah's a good pick, Henne's an ok pick, Rice is a good pick, Thomas is a great pick, I like him. I like most of the rest of your picks too. Very nice job.

[FalconBlood]

Unfortunately, Chris Williams will be long gone by 31. Carl Nicks is probably more of an early third round pick.

Untrue. Most experts believe, now, after the combine, Carl Nicks is now an early 2nd round selection if he doesn't squeeze his way into the first round. They like that he is tall and huge 347 lbs, and that he can move all of it around very athletically.

[Joshua Affonso]

falconblood (2/27/2008)

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Unfortunately, Chris Williams will be long gone by 31. Carl Nicks is probably more of an early third round pick.

Untrue. Most experts believe, now, after the combine, Carl Nicks is now an early 2nd round selection if he doesn't squeeze his way into the first round. They like that he is tall and huge 347 lbs, and that he can move all of it around very athletically.

That was a typo and I meant to put "early second round pick". I will have to do some more research on Nicks. Maybe if his stock has gone up high enough, then Chris Williams will fall to us at 31. That would be great.

[Joshua Affonso]

DrDetecto (2/27/2008)

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I really like this one, it's a lot like one I'm working on now. I love Dorsey, Otah's a good pick, Henne's an ok pick, Rice is a good pick, Thomas is a great pick, I like him. I like most of the rest of your picks too. Very nice job.

Thanks man, I'll keep an eye out for your mock. I like Thomas a lot, and I think that he flys under the rader because of the premium put on the mythical "shut down" and "cover" corners. Thomas would be great in out cover two.

[Joshua Affonso]

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