Draft Analysis from Flowery Branch

[flrybranch]

Falcons 2010 Draft Evaluation

Rnd 1 (19) Sean Weatherspoon LB Missouri

We will never know if he was ahead of Graham or Pouncey on the Falcon board. That being said “Spoon” should come in a start right away over Mike Peterson. He looks like he should be the Falcons starting OLB for the next 5+ years. A high motor guy who tackles well and can cover TE’s and RB’s out of the backfield. I am very happy with this pick. The Falcons filled a big need on defense with a very good player

Rnd 3 (83) Corey Peters DT Kentucky

The talking heads will call this an “overdraft” (along with some other Falcon picks). I’m happy with it. The Falcons get a penetrating DT for the D Line rotation. He will not have to start this year, but will work nicely behind Babs (and for him if Babs is suspended) and Jerry. The Falcons expect their DT’s to be quick penetrating types. Peters was the best penetrating DT left when the Falcons drafted.

Rnd 3 (98) Mike Johnson OG Alabama

Johnson can play either OG position for the Falcons. He is solid in both run and pass blocking. He will most likely serve as depth at both OG spots in 2010, but do not be surprised if he beats out Dhal at some point this season. I expect him to start in 2011. I see him as a solid starter at Guard for the next 10 years. He was on my short list of OG’s that I wanted to see drafted. Very excited about this pick 

Rnd 4 (117) Joe Hawley OC UNLV

Hawley played OC and OG for UNLV; he will be groomed to be an OC for the Falcons. Another “overdraft” from the talking heads. Hawley is a big strong smart football player. Funny how I keep reading about how big and strong he is and he got good grades on his agility drills but I keep hearing about how much of an overdraft he is. I see another solid O lineman that will spend the year as a backup, but will be a starter in 2011 and going forward.

Rnd 5 (135) Dominique Franks CB Oklahoma

The Falcons traded up for Franks and got good value from the pick. Franks should be a solid player at CB and he may contribute in the return game in 2010. I think this picks ends Chevis Jacksons term with the Falcons. Franks should help in 2010 in the nickel and dime and could be a #2 CB with some experience.

Rnd 5 (165) Kerry Meier WR Kansas

Another great value pick. Meier has good hands, runs great routes and has a huge football IQ. He was a QB who converted to WR. He has good straight line speed, but not a lot of burst. He makes up for his lack of burst by using his big frame and good route running to out position his defender. Think of a young Brian Finneran with the old Brian Finnerans hands.

Rnd 6 (171) Shann Schillinger S Montana

I really don’t know much about him. What I have read after he was picked sounds like he may be promising. He should be decent depth at Safety and a Special Teams contributor.

Overall I see that the Falcons got a starting LB, two future starters on the Offensive Line, a rotational Defensive tackle who should play a lot, a #3 or #4 WR and some depth in the Defensive backfield. They did not address DE or TE. All players picked seem to be high character people with no durability issues.

Spoon, Johnson, and Meier were all on my short list of players I wanted to be Falcons. Hawley was someone I would have been happier with if he had been drafted later, but I’m still glad to have him. Peters and Franks were good players who I wasn’t expecting to see drafted, but I am happy with. The Montana kid, ehhh in TD I trust 

[mamadou82m]

Falcons 2010 Draft Evaluation

We will never know if he was ahead of Graham or Pouncey on the Falcon board.

Except didn't TD say he was ahead of Pouncey? That the first group was Morgan, Graham, and Spoon, and that they didn't know which of those three they would take?

[stumpjumper]

Honestly, I hope Meir beats out Jenkins for the #2 WR slot.

[flrybranch]

Meier is more Finn than Jenkins.

[Red Rain]

I remember people saying Babs was overdrafted (rated as a 3rd-4th round guy, we drafted him in the 2nd). Today a 2nd rounder for him looks like a steal.

If Peters can even approach Babs' production (and there is every reason to think he can), then five years from now we'll be talking about him as a 3rd round steal.

[MSalmon]

Meier is an intriguing pick. I think he is far more athletic than Finneran. You watch his Meier Highlight

He has sneaky speed, a knack for getting open and great body control. Keep in mind this is a frigging QB that has been a wr for 2 years and posted awesome numbers in a pro offense.

Check out this TD pass from Meier on a trick play TD pass

[Rai]

pro offense? i've watched the jayhawks a couple of time this year ('cos of Todd Reesing) but they play in a spread O. Meier is a guy that's best in the short-passing game and someone who you can rely on to move the chains. I'm sure he can also go up in jump-ball situations and get the ball, something which Jenkins can't (Giants game )

[ATLSPOONATL]

My only two positives about this draft were Meier and Spoon... Meier can add great depth to the dirty bird trick play formation and big huge on third downs. We probably should trade Jenkins as he is getting old and very unreliable, I would much rather like Harry and Meier as our 2 and 3 recievers. Sean Weatherspoon on the otherhand is an overwhelming BEAST. And when i say beast i mean ******* AMAZING. I've wanted this guy since the day the playoffs started and we have him. With Lofton and Spoon our linebacking core is near perfection.

[ATLSPOONATL]

I remember people saying Babs was overdrafted (rated as a 3rd-4th round guy, we drafted him in the 2nd). Today a 2nd rounder for him looks like a steal.

If Peters can even approach Babs' production (and there is every reason to think he can), then five years from now we'll be talking about him as a 3rd round steal.

I mean thats good and all to have a "good" third rounder in five years... The falcons shouldn't be drafting projects when the draft was so ******** deep, they could have gotten an INSTANT impact DE, which we needed very badly... Now we are stuck with Jamaal Anderson "aka LUDACRIS" who is probably the biggest bust in draft history. *Just a sidenote, we could have gotten Darrelle Revis with that pick*

[MSalmon]

pro offense? i've watched the jayhawks a couple of time this year ('cos of Todd Reesing) but they play in a spread O. Meier is a guy that's best in the short-passing game and someone who you can rely on to move the chains. I'm sure he can also go up in jump-ball situations and get the ball, something which Jenkins can't (Giants game )

i know they play a spread, but he also ran a pro route tree. The receivers out of a spread don't have as much issue as the QBs. Most spread wrs still run curls, outs and posts. Pretty much all we need him to do. Not to mention, more and more teams (us included at times) "spread" out themselves these days.

Agree with you you on him possibly moving Jenkins out.

[MSalmon]

I mean thats good and all to have a "good" third rounder in five years... The falcons shouldn't be drafting projects when the draft was so ******** deep, they could have gotten an INSTANT impact DE, which we needed very badly... Now we are stuck with Jamaal Anderson "aka LUDACRIS" who is probably the biggest bust in draft history. *Just a sidenote, we could have gotten Darrelle Revis with that pick*

i have to admit i don't get the reasoning behind a lot of the way we drafted. I thought we'd go offensive playmaker early and a DE. But apparently TD didn't think any were worth it. I do like the Meier, Franks and two Olinemen picks. Peters? I just don't see a great player

[shoob]

i have to admit i don't get the reasoning behind a lot of the way we drafted. I thought we'd go offensive playmaker early and a DE. But apparently TD didn't think any were worth it. I do like the Meier, Franks and two Olinemen picks. Peters? I just don't see a great player

I feel the same way.. Besides Spoon. I'm like. WTF? I like TD and MS, but we didn't get a play making TE and there were still some on the board. We didn't get a play making WR when there were still some on the board. No DE which I'm not all that made at because we have two promising ones. But I'm shaking my head at this draft. It was waaaaay to safe. TD has been on a roll, but this draft not so much. But we shall see.. Matty Ice could use more play makers sir. MORE. Not less. I thought that TD said this draft would be more balanced. O and D. More play makers. Guess not. I give this draft a C+ and that's only because I like spoon and Franks. The DT is promising. But that's it.

[Photofalcon]

Honestly, I hope Meir beats out Jenkins for the #2 WR slot.

Meir won't beat out Jenkins, but they picked up a UDFA that might. Ryan Wolfe from UNLV.

[shoob]

Meir won't beat out Jenkins, but they picked up a UDFA that might. Ryan Wolfe from UNLV.

Now. I like this guy.. He just might take STINKIN JENKINS place. I hope so.

[gritzblitz]

Falcons 2010 Draft Evaluation

Rnd 1 (19) Sean Weatherspoon LB Missouri

We will never know if he was ahead of Graham or Pouncey on the Falcon board. That being said “Spoon” should come in a start right away over Mike Peterson. He looks like he should be the Falcons starting OLB for the next 5+ years. A high motor guy who tackles well and can cover TE’s and RB’s out of the backfield. I am very happy with this pick. The Falcons filled a big need on defense with a very good player

Rnd 3 (83) Corey Peters DT Kentucky

The talking heads will call this an “overdraft” (along with some other Falcon picks). I’m happy with it. The Falcons get a penetrating DT for the D Line rotation. He will not have to start this year, but will work nicely behind Babs (and for him if Babs is suspended) and Jerry. The Falcons expect their DT’s to be quick penetrating types. Peters was the best penetrating DT left when the Falcons drafted.

Rnd 3 (98) Mike Johnson OG Alabama

Johnson can play either OG position for the Falcons. He is solid in both run and pass blocking. He will most likely serve as depth at both OG spots in 2010, but do not be surprised if he beats out Dhal at some point this season. I expect him to start in 2011. I see him as a solid starter at Guard for the next 10 years. He was on my short list of OG’s that I wanted to see drafted. Very excited about this pick 

Rnd 4 (117) Joe Hawley OC UNLV

Hawley played OC and OG for UNLV; he will be groomed to be an OC for the Falcons. Another “overdraft” from the talking heads. Hawley is a big strong smart football player. Funny how I keep reading about how big and strong he is and he got good grades on his agility drills but I keep hearing about how much of an overdraft he is. I see another solid O lineman that will spend the year as a backup, but will be a starter in 2011 and going forward.

Rnd 5 (135) Dominique Franks CB Oklahoma

The Falcons traded up for Franks and got good value from the pick. Franks should be a solid player at CB and he may contribute in the return game in 2010. I think this picks ends Chevis Jacksons term with the Falcons. Franks should help in 2010 in the nickel and dime and could be a #2 CB with some experience.

Rnd 5 (165) Kerry Meier WR Kansas

Another great value pick. Meier has good hands, runs great routes and has a huge football IQ. He was a QB who converted to WR. He has good straight line speed, but not a lot of burst. He makes up for his lack of burst by using his big frame and good route running to out position his defender. Think of a young Brian Finneran with the old Brian Finnerans hands.

Rnd 6 (171) Shann Schillinger S Montana

I really don’t know much about him. What I have read after he was picked sounds like he may be promising. He should be decent depth at Safety and a Special Teams contributor.

Overall I see that the Falcons got a starting LB, two future starters on the Offensive Line, a rotational Defensive tackle who should play a lot, a #3 or #4 WR and some depth in the Defensive backfield. They did not address DE or TE. All players picked seem to be high character people with no durability issues.

Spoon, Johnson, and Meier were all on my short list of players I wanted to be Falcons. Hawley was someone I would have been happier with if he had been drafted later, but I’m still glad to have him. Peters and Franks were good players who I wasn’t expecting to see drafted, but I am happy with. The Montana kid, ehhh in TD I trust 

One thing I like about both OL picks. Several evaluations mentioned both play with a mean streak. The lack of drafting a TE was offset by signing 3 very good UDFA TEs (Peek, Palmer and Banks). i think one will make the team, another may make the PS. the more I see of this draft the more I like it. it was a very good offseason for us.

gb

Edited April 28, 2010 by gritzblitz

[coachx]

My only two positives about this draft were Meier and Spoon...

I can't see how any "football man" can be against drafting 300 pound lineman in the 3rd and 4th rounds. We got a top 3 guard in the draft and the 3rd C on TD's draft board plus a DT that fits our system and lead the SEC in tackles for loss and was a 1st team SEC DT.. Those were ALL solid picks in my mind.

Also........all 3 of these lineman are known as excellent students, leaders of their football teams, and have no off the field problems. On top of all that non of them have any injury concerns at all.

Edited April 28, 2010 by coachx

[ATL4ever]

I can't see how any "football man" can be against drafting 300 pound lineman in the 3rd and 4th rounds. We got a top 3 guard in the draft and the 3rd C on TD's draft board plus a DT that fits our system and lead the SEC in tackles for loss and was a 1st team SEC DT.. Those were ALL solid picks in my mind.

Also........all 3 of these lineman are known as excellent students, leaders of their football teams, and have no off the field problems. On top of all that non of them have any injury concerns at all.

I totally agree. Initially, I thought TD drafted who but once I read and heard more about these buys I think TD did a bang up job with this draft. Good signings on the UDFA's also. TD and the Falcons are definitley going in the right direction. The Falcons are being built for the long haul. That's what these picks are for. You can't argue with back to back winning seasons in our history.

[ATL4ever]

Now. I like this guy.. He just might take STINKIN JENKINS place. I hope so.

Looks very good!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wplH8cl3zg

Bio:

http://www.unlvrebels.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wolfe_ryan00.html

[flrybranch]

I heard Mort this morning talking about another team/GM, but it really fit TD here in Atlanta too.

Summary of what he said was: He's not putting together the best set of starters in the league, he's putting together the best 53 man roster in the league".

That really sums us this draft for us. It's about putting a 53 man roster that will consistently challenge for the playoff for several years.