First Mock (in a nutshell - no real explanations)

[The Dirty Bird]

Seeing the usuals posting up their mocks made me feel like a slacker despite it being midterm season (my last 2 tomorrow), but I felt compelled to share my ideal draft as of right now with just some names and some quick explanations.

Like last year, I assume (hope) that TD and the FO go after one big time free agent.

2009's free agent will be: Terrell Suggs, DE.

Suggs is a converted LB who has been very productive from the DE position for the Ravens. With face of the franchise Ray Lewis and top LB Bart Scott set to become FAs in 2009, there is a good chance that Suggs will go to where he can get the most $$. Now we have two great DEs who will give us one heck of a pass rush and JA98 substituting in on running downs and gaining more progression time. Assumes Brooking and Weiner are gone so some of their money goes to Suggs.

I will go and say the same resignings that everyone else has said(Boley, Jenkins, Babs, etc), but it is paramount that we resign Milloy to a 1-2 yr deal. It is also paramount that we cut Adam Jennings. Paramount.

Last assumption: This mock hinges on whether Taylor Mays will declare for the 2009 draft or stay and enter the 2010 draft. He is my favorite safety prospect I have ever seen since following the draft some years ago (over Phillips, Landry, Reed) and I would do many unforgivable things to get this young man in Atlanta Black and Red. This mock assumes that he stays for his senior year.

1) Duke Robinson, OG - Best OG prospect in recent memory, grading run blocker

2) Phil Loadholt, OT - Monstrous OT, another grading run blocker who is a good pass blocker - moved to RT

3) Al Woods, NT - With a ton of talented DTs but no real show stoppers, Woods can be had here. If the Duke DT (Vinco O-something) can be had here which is possible since he is now graded a 2-3 round prospect, then I'd rather him, but I think he'll be gone in the 2nd.

4) Eric Wood, C - This is probably going too line-heavy, but if Wood is available in the 4th I think we have to get him. He's a rock at C and is a projected 4th rounder behind Mack, Unger, Luigs, Caldwell and Shipley. This effectively gives the Falcons the best young OL in the entire NFL.

5a) Ramses Barden, WR - I have read a few things on him after seeing all the love he gets on these boards and I like him as a Finneran replacement. His stats are ridiculous.

5b) Jahi Word-Daniels, CB - Big corner who is a great fit for the Cover 2, will provide nice depth. Local product from GT.

6) Darius Hill, TE - Starting the love for a no name. Hill is a 6'6 TE weighing in at 235 lbs with a 4.64 40 who is decent at everything but a great receiving threat. Had 10 TD catches last season. He is from Ball State so look him up.

I know we have no 7th rounder, but I am going to assume somewhere in the draft we trade down within the same round and pick one up, if not consider this the first rookie FA we sign) Marcus Thigpen, RB/KR - His only role on the Falcons team would be KR where he is electrifying for Indiana. He has had TD returns (in recent memory) for 98 and 100 yards on kick offs. He runs the 40 in the 4.3s, makes great cuts and the Indiana offense is planning to use him like Hester - in any capacity possible.

This leaves one glaring need for 2010: Safety. We do whatever has to be done, move up if need be, to get Taylor Mays, and then we have a very complete team. If he enters the 2009 draft, I propose and strongly endorse the idea that we give up our 2010 1st rounder to get him. The Falcons team looks like it is now only a few pieces away from being a contender. We have a franchise QB, we have a great run game, we have a solid passing game, our line would be set - both O and D - and our secondary would be set, as well as having a dynamic KR. That is my "in a nutshell" version of my mock draft.

When I have more time I will give an actual mock with more explanation, measurables, stats, etc.

Feel free to comment.

[Scott24Falcons]

Very good job. Love the Suggs signing. That would help our defense a TON. I haven't gotten to see either Robinson or Loadholt very much, but I'll be watching them play Texas on Saturday. I'm more familiar with Robinson, though, and I really like him.

[KRUNKuno]

seriously though, we dont need that much oline help. people got on me for wanting 2 secondary players (William Moore and Victor Harris) with our first two picks. im just saying, our oline looks just fine. we'll get Renardo Foster back so if we look at oline help i think it'll be no earlier than round 3. I like tha Al Woods pick, but i think he'll stay in school and build his draft stock for 2010.

[Falcon Fanatic]

Nice draft. If we spent every pick on the defensive and offensive lines I would be happy. I think we get a safety in free agency and would love to get Suggs for our D line. Would like to see us get this guy at TE in the 6th round

Dan Gronkowski, Maryland

Height: 6-6. Weight: 255.

Projected 40 Time: 4.80.

Projected Round (2009): 6.

5/23/08: Not much of a factor in the passing game, but a very solid blocker.

I watched this guy play against Clemson a few weeks ago and was very impressed with him. He fits the bill of what kind of TE we look at but he made a few good catches too.

[The Dirty Bird]

seriously though, we dont need that much oline help. people got on me for wanting 2 secondary players (William Moore and Victor Harris) with our first two picks. im just saying, our oline looks just fine. we'll get Renardo Foster back so if we look at oline help i think it'll be no earlier than round 3. I like tha Al Woods pick, but i think he'll stay in school and build his draft stock for 2010.

Houston and Jackson are fine young CBs that we spent 2nd round picks on over the last two years - I just don't see us going CB early even tho Macho is a great fit for the Cover 2. If you want to trade Chris Houston for a 2nd and pick up Macho then fine, but other than that I'd rather stack the lines with one of the best linemen drafts in ages.

[The Dirty Bird]

Nice draft. If we spent every pick on the defensive and offensive lines I would be happy. I think we get a safety in free agency and would love to get Suggs for our D line. Would like to see us get this guy at TE in the 6th round

Dan Gronkowski, Maryland

Height: 6-6. Weight: 255.

Projected 40 Time: 4.80.

Projected Round (2009): 6.

5/23/08: Not much of a factor in the passing game, but a very solid blocker.

I watched this guy play against Clemson a few weeks ago and was very impressed with him. He fits the bill of what kind of TE we look at but he made a few good catches too.

As for your TE prospect I am actually familiar with him + his scouting reports. We don't need a blocking TE - all of the TEs we currently have are blocking TEs. We need someone who can create mismatches and go out for a pass. Like the Jets with Baker, Franks and Keller, we can go in 2 TE sets and run or pass out of it - that is very hard to defend. Currently, when we go 2 TE the defense knows it is a run. Ben Hartsock isn't fooling anyone into thinking he's running a seem route.

[The Dirty Bird]

Very good job. Love the Suggs signing. That would help our defense a TON. I haven't gotten to see either Robinson or Loadholt very much, but I'll be watching them play Texas on Saturday. I'm more familiar with Robinson, though, and I really like him.

Thanks Scott, I think that's the first time I haven't gotten a knock from you on one of my mock drafts Maybe I should stick to nutshells...

I didn't even realize that I "drafted" two Oklahoma linemen - add the chemistry they share and their familiarity with each other as a definite plus as they would anchor the right side of the Falcons line together.

For whoever said our line isn't that bad - I know. But it isn't that great either. We have two future studs in Blalock and Baker and some decent guys in now with Clabo, Dahl, Stepanovich, Weiner, Foster...but I think they would make much better depth and with the tremendous o-line talent in this year's draft that should last until the 5th-6th round I just don't see any good reason why we shouldn't take advantage of that.

If our offseason went down like this - We would not have to worry about our O-line or D-line for a while, nor our secondary (including the Mays provision). Then we have QB, RB, OL, DL, Secondary, KR/PR all set. We would have a balanced aresenal of TEs, a nice set of WRs which we could probably add one more talented guy in the 2010 draft depending on Laurent's status, a great LB core (assuming Nicholas' progresses like I expect him too), and good special teams. We would need a future K, possible P, and possible WLB, but that's it. I just love the future of the Falcons right now (with my draft )

If you want to look at a quick future starting line up of both trenches:

from LT to RT - Baker, Blalock, Wood, Robinson, Loadholt.

From DE to DE - Abraham, Babs, Woods, Suggs (with Lewis rotating in at DT and Anderson rotating in at DE)

Come on. Smile.

[keller24VT]

seriously though, we dont need that much oline help. people got on me for wanting 2 secondary players (William Moore and Victor Harris) with our first two picks. im just saying, our oline looks just fine. we'll get Renardo Foster back so if we look at oline help i think it'll be no earlier than round 3. I like tha Al Woods pick, but i think he'll stay in school and build his draft stock for 2010.

I'm with you with that. Though, I do like the players he mentioned, I, too, don't think we need that much o-line help. As for the your opinion with the two secondary players, I do agree with you. However, I prefer Mays to Moore. But, I think Macho will be a great player in the NFL. Before I say anything more, I will mention that I am a huge VT fan and that I am definitely biased (even though I am not trying to be). He is a playmaker both on defense and special teams. He is, in my opinion, the best corner coming out of VT recently (taking into consideration character analysis). I thought Jimmy Williams was the most talented, but had an absolutely dreadful attitude. Obviously, everyone has their own opinions with Hall. But, Macho (from what I read and how he conducts himself on the field), seems to have a very positive attitude. I've always thought he was a better corner than Flowers. He adds a whole new dimension and excitement to the game with what he can do on special teams. I know we haven't had a great punt returner in awhile, excluding Rossum's big year (and now we have been stricken by Jennings' "butterfingers"). I would be thrilled if we could land Harris and Mays/Moore in the same draft. However, I do not see the Macho pick happening for few reasons. First off, I think his stock will be a lot higher by the time the draft comes around. Secondly, I cannot see us picking another VT player for a couple more years, due the bad attention and publicity some of them have brought to the franchise. I would like to state, though, that those players, specifically Vick, do not represent the character of the rest of the VT players, nor the school. There are some kids with great stories at VT and its unfortunate that sometimes they are overlooked due to a few idiots.

[The Dirty Bird]

I'm with you with that. Though, I do like the players he mentioned, I, too, don't think we need that much o-line help. As for the your opinion with the two secondary players, I do agree with you. However, I prefer Mays to Moore. But, I think Macho will be a great player in the NFL. Before I say anything more, I will mention that I am a huge VT fan and that I am definitely biased (even though I am not trying to be). He is a playmaker both on defense and special teams. He is, in my opinion, the best corner coming out of VT recently (taking into consideration character analysis). I thought Jimmy Williams was the most talented, but had an absolutely dreadful attitude. Obviously, everyone has their own opinions with Hall. But, Macho (from what I read and how he conducts himself on the field), seems to have a very positive attitude. I've always thought he was a better corner than Flowers. He adds a whole new dimension and excitement to the game with what he can do on special teams. I know we haven't had a great punt returner in awhile, excluding Rossum's big year (and now we have been stricken by Jennings' "butterfingers"). I would be thrilled if we could land Harris and Mays/Moore in the same draft. However, I do not see the Macho pick happening for few reasons. First off, I think his stock will be a lot higher by the time the draft comes around. Secondly, I cannot see us picking another VT player for a couple more years, due the bad attention and publicity some of them have brought to the franchise. I would like to state, though, that those players, specifically Vick, do not represent the character of the rest of the VT players, nor the school. There are some kids with great stories at VT and its unfortunate that sometimes they are overlooked due to a few idiots.

As previously mentioned, we already have a group of good young CBs. I'm all for drafting Taylor Mays...75% of my posts probably involve him, and when they don't, my sig covers him.

In my mock I have us drafting him whether it is this year or next year. However, unless we stumble upon another 2nd round pick, I don't see the Falcons going after Macho. We addressed the CB position in the 2nd round in the last two drafts. My mock also includes a dynamic KR that will make Jennings look like PS material.

[Scott24Falcons]

Thanks Scott, I think that's the first time I haven't gotten a knock from you on one of my mock drafts Maybe I should stick to nutshells...

Nah, sometimes I may not agree with some of the mock, but you always put a good bit of effort into these. Good job.

[g-dawg]

I know Taylor Mays is this "freak" of an athlete and everybody is predicting he's going to run some 4.40/40 time. He's 6'3" and 230lbs.........I also read some scouting reports on him saying he does not play as fast as he will time. I worry that at 6'3" and 230lbs while being a still growing young kid - that he will "eat" his way out of the safety position in the NFL - and end up either "converting" to OLB or being a liability in coverage.

Taylor Mays sounds to me like he is going to compare to he SS for the Dallas Cowboys - Roy Williams - who was a playmaking fool with the Oklahoma Sooners but has had a "spotty" pro career due to being a huge liability in coverage.

I think Taylor is just too big to be a safety in the NFL and whoever takes this guy is going to be disappointed - I'm sure I will get "flamed" for this because of all the "man-love" on this message board for Taylor Mays - but those would be my concerns......

Also, does anybody remember that Thomas Dimitroff selected a safety in the 3rd round this year named Thomas DeCoud? Don't you think he is Lawyer Milloy's future replacement? I would want to know more about him before I "invested" a 1st round pick in a safety when we already have Erik Coleman and Lawyer Milloy to go with DeCoud.

[The Dirty Bird]

I know Taylor Mays is this "freak" of an athlete and everybody is predicting he's going to run some 4.40/40 time. He's 6'3" and 230lbs.........I also read some scouting reports on him saying he does not play as fast as he will time. I worry that at 6'3" and 230lbs while being a still growing young kid - that he will "eat" his way out of the safety position in the NFL - and end up either "converting" to OLB or being a liability in coverage.

Taylor Mays sounds to me like he is going to compare to he SS for the Dallas Cowboys - Roy Williams - who was a playmaking fool with the Oklahoma Sooners but has had a "spotty" pro career due to being a huge liability in coverage.

I think Taylor is just too big to be a safety in the NFL and whoever takes this guy is going to be disappointed - I'm sure I will get "flamed" for this because of all the "man-love" on this message board for Taylor Mays - but those would be my concerns......

Also, does anybody remember that Thomas Dimitroff selected a safety in the 3rd round this year named Thomas DeCoud? Don't you think he is Lawyer Milloy's future replacement? I would want to know more about him before I "invested" a 1st round pick in a safety when we already have Erik Coleman and Lawyer Milloy to go with DeCoud.

If you thought you were going to come into my thread and get support from the biggest Taylor Mays advocate on these boards you're insane lol just kidding. However, Mays is not a liability in coverage and can track the ball down anywhere on the field. DeCoud was taken more as a special teams ace and a #2 FS, plus he can play CB in the Cover 2 as well. Mays is the real deal.

[Falcon Fanatic]

As for your TE prospect I am actually familiar with him + his scouting reports. We don't need a blocking TE - all of the TEs we currently have are blocking TEs. We need someone who can create mismatches and go out for a pass. Like the Jets with Baker, Franks and Keller, we can go in 2 TE sets and run or pass out of it - that is very hard to defend. Currently, when we go 2 TE the defense knows it is a run. Ben Hartsock isn't fooling anyone into thinking he's running a seem route.

Point taken but if we needed a pass catching TE then we would have kept Crumpler or Milner. If we deploy TE's in our scheme it will be to block for the run or use play action to connect on a short pass to the TE. There isn't a need for a pass catching TE in our current system or we would have kept who we had.

[The Dirty Bird]

Point taken but if we needed a pass catching TE then we would have kept Crumpler or Milner. If we deploy TE's in our scheme it will be to block for the run or use play action to connect on a short pass to the TE. There isn't a need for a pass catching TE in our current system or we would have kept who we had.

We got rid of Alge because TD was getting rid of the old regime. Look at him in Tennessee - I'm glad he's gone. Milner was hurting and never proved himself to much of a receiving threat in the NFL anyway.

There is, imo, always a need to have at least one TE on your team who can catch the ball, stretch the field and make mismatches. Getting a guy that can do that in the 6th round would be a great addition to our offense. Like I said, we would be able to go 2 TE and pass the ball effectively, or go 4 WR with the TE split out like Keller/Winslow/Gates/ etc and run the ball effectively.