Our first 3 picks

[hawkeye]

Unless things change, I think they will be OT, DE, and WR. Doesn't necessarily have to be in that order but that's

the order I think. I also think in FA we get a TE b/c the TE class is not that good. So after the first 3 picks I

believe everything else is just for depth except maybe a kicker. Somebody else mentioned that we need a good young

kicker and I agree. The kicker I want the most is Matt Bosher from Miami.

[FlyHighFalcons]

Unless things change, I think they will be OT, DE, and WR. Doesn't necessarily have to be in that order but that's

the order I think. I also think in FA we get a TE b/c the TE class is not that good. So after the first 3 picks I

believe everything else is just for depth except maybe a kicker. Somebody else mentioned that we need a good young

kicker and I agree. The kicker I want the most is Matt Bosher from Miami.

I think that RB is another candidate. A. Norwood's career in Atlanta MUST be done. So we need a change of pace back.

B. Turner is always getting hurt (minor this time) but who knows next time. So EXTRA insurance beyond Snelling is nice.

[atljbo]

I think that RB is another candidate. A. Norwood's career in Atlanta MUST be done. So we need a change of pace back.

B. Turner is always getting hurt (minor this time) but who knows next time. So EXTRA insurance beyond Snelling is nice.

I agree... I dont think turner is always hurt but i do think a change of pace back would be good... We have Antoine Smith and Shawnbrey McNeal can impress the coaching staff.

I know OT and WR are the 1st 2 needs... I am confused about the DE position... Besides Rom slipping to the 2nd round... I dont see a DE thats worth us getting in the 2nd round... Think about it... We are getting pressure so far and we are stacked at the DE position... I see us drafting a DE but i see the DE being in the mid rounds... A guy we can develop.. We dont need a right now guy... I dont even see a play right now guy in the 2nd round that would make me think dude would improve us now... We are still trying to work Sid in the rotation and dude has shown us he has real abilities.

I can see us grabbing an RB early because the run game is the most important part to our offense clicking... The draft RB position depends on the underclassmen RB entering the draft which happens every year.

[hawkeye]

I agree... I dont think turner is always hurt but i do think a change of pace back would be good... We have Antoine Smith and Shawnbrey McNeal can impress the coaching staff.

I know OT and WR are the 1st 2 needs... I am confused about the DE position... Besides Rom slipping to the 2nd round... I dont see a DE thats worth us getting in the 2nd round... Think about it... We are getting pressure so far and we are stacked at the DE position... I see us drafting a DE but i see the DE being in the mid rounds... A guy we can develop.. We dont need a right now guy... I dont even see a play right now guy in the 2nd round that would make me think dude would improve us now... We are still trying to work Sid in the rotation and dude has shown us he has real abilities.

I can see us grabbing an RB early because the run game is the most important part to our offense clicking... The draft RB position depends on the underclassmen RB entering the draft which happens every year.

You might be right about the DE position b/c 2nd rd after Kerrigan that's it. But I don't see us getting a RB

early. As they say , you can find a serviceable RB in the later rounds. And plus it must be something they like

about Smith. He made the 53 over Nance. And now we have McNeal on the PS so I don't think they get a RB early.

MOF I'm not looking for them to draft one at all. As far as WR I see probably 4 that may go 2nd rd. Two of them

I really don't want and two that might not be there if we pick late.

Posey(don't want)

Pettis(don't want)

Broyles(would love to have but probably won't be there)

RoJo(really like him too. It's possible he is there)

So yeah if we could get Broyles or RoJo

I would take one of them in the 2nd.

Edited September 23, 2010 by hawkeye

[Kennesaw77]

They might like Smith but that doesn't mean he is worthy of carries and it doesn't mean they'll give him carries.

Edited September 23, 2010 by Kennesaw77

[atljbo]

They might like Smith but that doesn't mean he is worthy of carries and it doesn't mean they'll give him carries.

I agree... If the coaching staff was sure about smith... we wouldnt have dropped bear woods (a LB they like) to pick up Shawnbrey McNeal... Smith will get his chance tho.

I can see us picking up a RB in the 3rd round or so.

[Kennesaw77]

yep I agree. I don't see Smith going above 3rd string in his entire career.

[hawkeye]

I just really don't see a big need for a RB. Snelling has that covered and if we just need a speed back we got

that in Smith.

[Kennesaw77]

I just really don't see a big need for a RB. Snelling has that covered and if we just need a speed back we got

that in Smith.

If you think Smith can handle taking carries against first teamers in a game and be successful I'm going to have to disagree.

[hawkeye]

If you think Smith can handle taking carries against first teamers in a game and be successful I'm going to have to disagree.

Well everybody has their opinion, but I don't think Smitty and TD would keep a player if they didn't think they

could handle it. It's not like he's playing every down. His job is to change the pace.

[atljbo]

I just really don't see a big need for a RB. Snelling has that covered and if we just need a speed back we got

that in Smith.

I'm not Smith cant be that speed back because i liked him in college... I dont think some recognize how important Norwood was to this team... During Sean Peytons conference he said losing reggie bush is similar to the falcons losing Norwood... Wood brought a different element .. Snelling is good but he does not bring that game breaking element as a RB/WR/KR...

Smith has to show that he can be that guy.

[Kennesaw77]

I'm not Smith cant be that speed back because i liked him in college... I dont think some recognize how important Norwood was to this team... During Sean Peytons conference he said losing reggie bush is similar to the falcons losing Norwood... Wood brought a different element .. Snelling is good but he does not bring that game breaking element as a RB/WR/KR...

Smith has to show that he can be that guy.

I agree Norwood is important.

However, I don't think Smith is good enough to be the speed back this team needs.

[Smiler11]

I agree Norwood is important.

However, I don't think Smith is good enough to be the speed back this team needs.

Norwood and Bush always have to be accounted for on every play - that's what we'll miss the most.

[Kennesaw77]

Norwood and Bush always have to be accounted for on every play - that's what we'll miss the most.

this.

I would think and hope TD will find a replacement for Norwood. A speedy guy like Derrick Locke from Kentucky or Kendall Hunter from Oklahoma State could be useful.

[alphaville]

On the original topic, I agree with hawkeye. OT and WR are the positions where we most need upgrades.

At DE we need to draft the player that we groom to replace JA55. That's going to need to be a player in the first three rounds, probably the first two. My hope is that Kerrigan and Romeus are both available at the beginning of the second round and we trade back (like the Ravens always seem to do) to grab one of them and another draft pick or two.

At RB...

After they resign Snelling next off season we will have two solid running backs, and Turner is under contract until 2014.

With those two in hand, I don't see them going RB in the first three rounds.

I expect a running back to be drafted next year, but I expect that TD will get "his guy" in the later rounds and amaze us all once again.

[Psychic Gibbon]

I would say look to offense for the first pick. Sidbury seems like the heir to Abraham so DE is likely going to not be a huge need, and knowing TD he'll probably get a project like Biermann and Sidbury were for the position. DT seems solid, LB seems solid, corner seems solid, safety seems solid... Defense all around seems solid. All they really need is a bit more experience to be something to put fear in the heart of every other team for years to come.

Meanwhile, receiver depth leaves much to be desired since, until Jenkins comes back, all Ryan really has to throw to is White and an out of place Douglas who seems confused out of the slot, and even then Jenkins isn't all that great, Turner and Snelling are a great combo but adding another would make the Falcons backfield absolutely devastating since I doubt Norwood will be in Atlanta much longer, and unless one of the tight ends has captured the eye of TD and Smith then Gonzalez will need an heir.

A deep threat receiver is the likeliest candidate in the 1st round. It would stretch the field that much more for the rush attack to be more effective, will give Ryan another threat/target, and will hopefully open up White more. I would love to get AJ Green or Julio Jones but I doubt either will be around by the time the Falcons pick and I doubt TD will trade up for them, so I expect Michael Floyd to be very high on the draft board.

[Daniel Cox]

I agree... If the coaching staff was sure about smith... we wouldnt have dropped bear woods (a LB they like) to pick up Shawnbrey McNeal... Smith will get his chance tho.

I can see us picking up a RB in the 3rd round or so.

jbo, you know i love you, man, but they didn't have a choice. one or both of those guys are quality depth guys, but they're not turner or even snelling (who by the way...can we just say...in the 7th...that was a STEAL). i wouldn't be surprised to see the falcons take a RB in the 2nd.

[Daniel Cox]

I would say look to offense for the first pick. Sidbury seems like the heir to Abraham so DE is likely going to not be a huge need, and knowing TD he'll probably get a project like Biermann and Sidbury were for the position. DT seems solid, LB seems solid, corner seems solid, safety seems solid... Defense all around seems solid. All they really need is a bit more experience to be something to put fear in the heart of every other team for years to come.

Meanwhile, receiver depth leaves much to be desired since, until Jenkins comes back, all Ryan really has to throw to is White and an out of place Douglas who seems confused out of the slot, and even then Jenkins isn't all that great, Turner and Snelling are a great combo but adding another would make the Falcons backfield absolutely devastating since I doubt Norwood will be in Atlanta much longer, and unless one of the tight ends has captured the eye of TD and Smith then Gonzalez will need an heir.

A deep threat receiver is the likeliest candidate in the 1st round. It would stretch the field that much more for the rush attack to be more effective, will give Ryan another threat/target, and will hopefully open up White more. I would love to get AJ Green or Julio Jones but I doubt either will be around by the time the Falcons pick and I doubt TD will trade up for them, so I expect Michael Floyd to be very high on the draft board.

bingo.

you look at TD's history and he always tries to land a starter at pick No. 1. so far he's done that. whatever position that may be, they guy will be expected to start from day one.

TD also takes a seriously systematic approach to drafting....the guy is almost mathematic in it. in the later rounds he looks for guys he thinks he can develop. look what he's done with guys like Sid, Biermann, Reynolds, even Walker.

The bottom line here is there's a quality/decent guy at every position right NOW, and that's in large part to TD's drafting strategy. He seems to think a step or two down the line in his middle round picks and that gives you a glimpse into what he's thinking for guys down the line. for example, if he takes another CB yet again...it's likely because he's thinking he may not be able to keep grimes (for pretty good reason) on the payroll in the coming years.

i think guard is a curious position to handle next year.

[Psychic Gibbon]

bingo.

you look at TD's history and he always tries to land a starter at pick No. 1. so far he's done that. whatever position that may be, they guy will be expected to start from day one.

TD also takes a seriously systematic approach to drafting....the guy is almost mathematic in it. in the later rounds he looks for guys he thinks he can develop. look what he's done with guys like Sid, Biermann, Reynolds, even Walker.

From what I can tell, TD drafts in the 1st for a position at need that will have the most impact when starting right away. In 2008 they needed a QB and protection for him, so he got Ryan and Baker. In 2009 the DT position was thin and Smith needed a greater pass rush for his defensive scheme, so he got Jerry. Then this year the defense showed it struggled heavily on 3rd down due to poor linebacker coverage, so he got Weatherspoon. Now, from what I can tell for this year, receiver is the weakest link on the team... so I expect a receiver to be drafted in the 1st. I know the suspension and breaking NCAA rules might raise some eye brows but getting Green in the 1st would have an immediate and long lasting impact for the team. Green has similar measurables as other receivers in this draft class but what sets him apart is his playmaking abilities. You can just lob the ball in his direction and expect him to do something with it.

The way I view it is this: Jenkins is locked up for the foreseeable future, but he isn't true #2 receiver quality. However, he is a very good blocking receiver which helps on run plays. So, he and Green can switch out to throw off defenses. Likewise, with Douglas in the slot Jenkins gives them a quality 4th receiver on 4WR packages and he can definitely torch any dime back. This would all stretch the field which would allow Turner and Snelling to be even more effective an alleviate the O-line from being blitzed too much.

Again, I don't expect TD to do this but it would definitely set the offense over the edge with weapons everywhere you look.

Edited October 3, 2010 by Psychic Gibbon

[Kennesaw77]

Green won't be there for the Falcons to get.

[Rai]

Green is going top-5. I hope the Panthers don't get him but they are looking pretty bad and do need a WR.

[Psychic Gibbon]

Oh, I know the only way the Falcons get Green is to trade up and, frankly, I doubt TD will bother to do that considering the price of trading up into the top 5. Michael Floyd is much more realistic. Step down? Yes, but still effective.

[Kennesaw77]

Green is going top-5. I hope the Panthers don't get him but they are looking pretty bad and do need a WR.

I don't see the Panthers going WR. They have Steve Smith and Brandon Lafell.

[Psychic Gibbon]

I think today was all the proof needed for the need for another receiver. White was constantly double covered and struggling to get open due to all the attention and Douglas was never intended to be a #2 receiver/out of the slot. Jenkins' return (whenever that will be) should alleviate some of it but I still don't view him as the best possible option.

Weatherspoon's impact was also clear today. Without him the defense went right back to struggling to hold offenses on 3rd down. I doubt there are any people left complaining that they went with Spoon over a DE.

I don't see the Panthers going WR. They have Steve Smith and Brandon Lafell.

Smith isn't getting any younger and LaFell is not #1 receiver quality.

[Kennesaw77]

Smith isn't getting any younger and LaFell is not #1 receiver quality.

True but I don't think they draft another WR so early just one year after grabbing Lafell but it wouldn't surprise me either. the first thing they have to do is fire Fox.