Our Draft Needs...

[Africanfalconsfan]

Looking at our roster, we don't really have a lot of week spots when it comes to starters and Smith and TD have done a good job with adding depth to the team.

Defense:

Safeties- They're not playing great, but it's pretty good and will only get better with the more snaps they play. Next year they should improve a lot.

Corners- I truly think that we're set at corners for years to come with Dunta and Grimes. Yes, Grimes gives up a lot in height but he make up for it with athleticism and Dunta is a pro-bowler who I expect to get better the more he plays in our system.

Linebackers- Lofton is a beast, Weatherspoon is a beast (needs to bet healthy), nicholas is a valuable backup and Peterson is a great leader that makes up with experience what he lacks in speed.

DLine- This is where I can see us trying to improve. Babs is greatly underrated, Abe still got lots in the tank, Beerman gets lots of pressure even though he doesn't have the sacks to prove it.

Offense:

QB- enough said...

RB- We have a starter in Turner, and a capable backup in Snelling. We could use a speed back tough.

WR- Roddy is a beast. Jenkins is a capable #2, who does what's asked of him. My only problem with Jenks is that I don't think that he could step up if Roddy got hurt (knock on wood). Douglas is not living up to his potential, but I think that's something that he and Ryan can fix in the offseason. Finn is always dependable.

TE- Tony G is a beast and he'll be here for another season so no need to rush there. Palmer has made some good plays, but I don't think that he's our next #1 TE.

Oline- This is where I think we'll try to improve, not only because we have lots of free agents on the line but also because Smith likes to win the battles in the trenches. Our Oline is above average but not great.

So I really think that Smith and TD are gonna try to add depth to the skill positions, but I see us going with Dline and Oline early on.

[Spoooooooon4MVP]

i'm glad we've got a continental representative for the falcons!

[The Great American]

A) Mark Ingram

B Mark Ingram

C) Mark Ingram

D) All of the Above.

Edited November 14, 2010 by The Great American

[Drak]

I like Terrence Toliver out of LSU. He's a 6'5 senior Wideout at LSU. He has 4.4 speed but plays faster then his times. The guy has gotten better each year and should be around late first early second. I'd love him as a second round pick.

[vel]

If any teams #1 WR went down who would be able to step in to fill that void? Not many teams.

I am fine with our WR corps right now. I think we need a top LE and a Speed back (i.e. Demarco Murray)

[Quiksilverly]

Looking at our roster, we don't really have a lot of week spots when it comes to starters and Smith and TD have done a good job with adding depth to the team.

Defense:

Safeties- They're not playing great, but it's pretty good and will only get better with the more snaps they play. Next year they should improve a lot.

Corners- I truly think that we're set at corners for years to come with Dunta and Grimes. Yes, Grimes gives up a lot in height but he make up for it with athleticism and Dunta is a pro-bowler who I expect to get better the more he plays in our system.

Linebackers- Lofton is a beast, Weatherspoon is a beast (needs to bet healthy), nicholas is a valuable backup and Peterson is a great leader that makes up with experience what he lacks in speed.

DLine- This is where I can see us trying to improve. Babs is greatly underrated, Abe still got lots in the tank, Beerman gets lots of pressure even though he doesn't have the sacks to prove it.

Offense:

QB- enough said...

RB- We have a starter in Turner, and a capable backup in Snelling. We could use a speed back tough.

WR- Roddy is a beast. Jenkins is a capable #2, who does what's asked of him. My only problem with Jenks is that I don't think that he could step up if Roddy got hurt (knock on wood). Douglas is not living up to his potential, but I think that's something that he and Ryan can fix in the offseason. Finn is always dependable.

TE- Tony G is a beast and he'll be here for another season so no need to rush there. Palmer has made some good plays, but I don't think that he's our next #1 TE.

Oline- This is where I think we'll try to improve, not only because we have lots of free agents on the line but also because Smith likes to win the battles in the trenches. Our Oline is above average but not great.

So I really think that Smith and TD are gonna try to add depth to the skill positions, but I see us going with Dline and Oline early on.

Pretty good analysis, I would like to see us go after a gem with speed like a Chris Johnson or Percy Harvin for slot or Scat. Also another OLB to replace Peterson as his time is coming to an end as a starter anyway. I don't think he would stay to back up Lofton but that would be nice too. We do need big TE with good hands that runs smart block and release routes. I'm excited for the draft and the rest of the season...all is beautifull right now in Falcon land.

[Africanfalconsfan]

I agree that not many teams have a #2 that can come in and replace the #1, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to fix that for our team. I just think that TD saw the first 3 years of drafts as an opportunity to establish a core for our team, and now we have a chance to start making small fixes to small problems. Our WR corps is not a problem at all, but we have done such a good job with our core players that we can afford to draft a WR.

I also think that this offseason is gonna tell us a lot about how much TD is trying to mirror the falcons after the patriots. Patriots don't break bank for their players, they believe that the system is better than the players. That's why they keep letting good players go, and with so many expiring contracts on our team, I wonder how he'll deal with them.

[vel]

not many teams?

pats

colts

jets

steelers

eagles

saints

giants

ravens

bengals

dolphins

bills

raiders

broncos

thats off the top of my head

Did you really say the Bills...

I agree that not many teams have a #2 that can come in and replace the #1, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to fix that for our team. I just think that TD saw the first 3 years of drafts as an opportunity to establish a core for our team, and now we have a chance to start making small fixes to small problems. Our WR corps is not a problem at all, but we have done such a good job with our core players that we can afford to draft a WR.

I also think that this offseason is gonna tell us a lot about how much TD is trying to mirror the falcons after the patriots. Patriots don't break bank for their players, they believe that the system is better than the players. That's why they keep letting good players go, and with so many expiring contracts on our team, I wonder how he'll deal with them.

Yea we can fix it but I don't think it is as big a deal it is being made on here. Jenkins is pretty clutch and doesn't care that he doesn't get the ball for 55 mins of a game. I agree about TD and the last 3 years. We have arguably the best foundation of any young team in the league. This draft will be for explosive players.

I say get the best DE available in the first round and the rest of the rounds give Ryan some toys (i.e. speedy slot, speedy RB, hybrid TE)

[Africanfalconsfan]

I say get the best DE available in the first round and the rest of the rounds give Ryan some toys (i.e. speedy slot, speedy RB, hybrid TE)

I agree with the DE as I said that I think we'll focus on the trenches. But I honestly think that getting Ryan some toys should be the last of our concerns given how explosive our offense already is (except for the speed back who could help on special teams). But if you look at the NFC teams that "experts" say are better than us, the reason they give is defense. Giants defense, and Packers defense are great. I think that TD is gonna try to close that gap by improving our Dline. On offense they'll try to improve the Oline to either give matt more time or get a better push on running plays.

[Africanfalconsfan]

explosive? wow.

I would consider an offense that can move 80 yards down the field in 45 seconds against the ravens to be explosive. We're not a fast scoring team, but we have shown time and time again that we can put up points on the board. Whether it takes us 12 or 4 plays to get to the endzone it's the points that matter.

[Africanfalconsfan]

we are a great dink and dunk team but explosiveness is limited to roddy white.

Turner is explosive, and Jenks seems to get a lot of deep ball calls. Seriously, I wonder if we are watching the same team on sundays :mellow:

[dthar2109]

Has anyone thought about the idea of the Falcons prying Jared Gaither away from the Ravens? He's on IR now with a back injury but after this season he'll be without a deal and wants an extension (6'9" 340 - 24 years old). People have their speculations as to whether or not he just played hurt to prevent from being moved to RT and garnering less money, but the man is a very good player. If he doesn't resign with the Ravens that could possibly free up our top draft picks and allow us to grab a top-notch pass rusher, another complement to Roddy, a speed back, or a tight end that can go deep/open up the passing game vertically from the TE position to learn under Gonzalez. We definitely have the kind of team that can attract free agents away from higher salaries on other teams plus we MUST get better at keeping Ryan clean in the pocket.

[The Birds are the truth]

good post. my thoughts are along those lines as well. while jenkins isnt the best or worst option at #2 hes servicable. our concerns are the same though. if roddy goes down, jenkins is NOT an option at #1. NOBODY on our roster fits that bill. the drop off after roddy is severe.

That's very true.

[The Birds are the truth]

that would work as well. we just need someone with hands and size. not to mention this guy is tough. i like his scouting report. it says it took two tazers to take him down during a bar fight earlier this year. thats the kind of guy we need.

****!!

[The Birds are the truth]

After how Boldin destroyed Grimes, a big DB and we need a KR/PR. Weems and Grimes got to go.

Did you just say Grimes got to go? :wacko:

[cyofish]

According to Kiper next year's draft is a real good class for DL. With the exception of QB, I think we go for best players available on the board that is going to fit our scheme. We gave a pretty heavy rotation on DL so I can see the team addressing it every draft.

[The Birds are the truth]

yes the bills. steve johnson and lee evans are animals. jenkins is ok but theres room for improvement at a cheaper price via the draft.

explosive? wow.

When is Lee Evans going to be free agent? He would be a nice addition to our team.