Drafttek's Latest 7-Round Mock Draft Has Atlanta Selecting:

[theProf]

NOTE: Drafttek just came out with an updated mock today, April 8. They now have Atlanta selecting:

8. Vic Beasley DE Clemson

In a shocking development, Shane Ray is not mocked to the Falcons in this week's mock. Instead, DraftTek's simulation has made Vic Beasley's boyhood dreams come true. If he can replicate his college performance a little further down I-85, he will make a lot of Falcons fans' dreams come true. Beasley is a ridiculous physical specimen. He was one of the top performers in his position at the Combine in pretty much every category, from his 4.53 forty to his 35 reps in the bench press. He was ranked as the third best athlete at the Combine by Steve Muench of Scouts, Inc . What's more, Beasley is exactly the sort of player that Quinn got so much out of in Seattle. He has both excellent intangibles and a great football IQ. He managed to bulk up for the Combine and still maintain his explosive speed. With Randy Gregory's issues, Beasley can credibly claim to be the best edge player in the draft.

42. Maxx Williams TE Minnesota

Having addressed their edge rusher, the Falcons grab a long-term solution at TE, as Maxx Williams is the consensus-best TE in the class and a steal as "best player available" at a position of need. While the Falcons have depth at TE, they could use a real weapon. After Julio Jones and Roddy White, Matt Ryan's targets get shaky. And he clearly missed Tony Gonzalez at times last year. They could address their LG or FS holes here, too, but for value and need, Williams just makes too much sense. Levine Toilolo ran more pass routes than Gronk last year but only caught 31 passes for 238 yds. Not to mention he lost a fumble and lead the league in drops. Jacob Tamme is the stop-gap, but Williams could be the solution.

73. Ali Marpet OG Hobart

107. T.J. Yeldon RB Alabama

146. Tony Lippett WR Michigan State

185. Adrian Amos FS Penn St

225. Kyshoen Jarrett SS Virginia Tech

249. Aaron Davis OLB Colorado State

http://www.drafttek.com/2015-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round1.asp

Drafttek's mock draft on April 1 (original post in this thread) had Atlanta selecting:

8. Shane Ray DE Missouri

Some things are eternal: death, taxes, and the Falcons getting Shane Ray in our Mock. However, that decision still makes sense. The Falcons did not address getting an elite edge rusher in Free Agency, and the draft remains their best shot. One potential hiccup to this plan would have been if the NFL took away a second-day draft pick for Decibacle --illegally piping in crowd noise during the other team's huddles. If the Falcons had lost a second round --or perhaps even a third round-- pick, they might have felt compelled to drop down a few spots and recoup their lost picks. In that case, they might have grabbed Randy Gregory, whose stock dropped some from his positive marijuana test at the Combine. But, at press time, the Falcons get to keep their full complement of 2015 picks. So Shane Ray it is, was, and always shall be.

42. Maxx Williams TE Minnesota

One position the Falcons did address somewhat in Free Agency was tight end. By adding Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki, the Falcons will no longer be relying on Groot imitator Levine Toilolo as their primary TE. However, if the number one TE prospect in this draft is available with their second round pick, the Falcons could very well embrace a long-term solution to the position. Maxx ran a 4.78 forty at the Combine, with a 4.37 20-yard shuttle and impressive explosion in both the vertical jump (34.5") and the broad jump (117"). That sort of impressive athleticism, combined with soft hands, would let the Falcons finally move on from Tony Gonzalez and replace the production they lost when they released Harry Douglass. The Falcons would need to feel good about their existing options at LG and FS for this pick, but they seem to like a healthy Sam Baker (stop laughing) and Charles Godfrey, respectively.

73. Ali Marpet OG Hobart

107. Max Valles OLB Virginia

146. David Cobb RB Minnesota

185. Chris Hackett FS TCU

225. Curtis Grant ILB Ohio State

249. Dres Anderson WR Utah

For comparison purposes, Draftteck's previous mock draft had Atlanta selecting:

8. Shane Ray DE Missouri

As the Free Agency dust starts to settle, it's clear that the Falcons are still in the market for a LEO pass rusher for Dan Quinn's defense. Despite adding high ceiling/low floor players like Adrian Clayborn, some steady but uninspiring DE types like O'Brien Schofield, and fan lightning rod Kroy Biermann, the Falcons still need an elite pass rushing talent and once again it is Shane Ray. Ray's Pro Day was only so-so, as he ran a 4.68 forty-yard dash. That makes him the slowest edge player in the top five of this draft class. We will have to see if the Falcons start looking at a guy like Vic Beasley more closely, given his strong measurables at the Combine and over his career. But Ray gives the Falcons an athletic pass rusher whose game tape is very impressive. If Ray's draft position is determined by his game tape, then the explosion and finish he showed at Missouri could make him the Falcons' selection at #8.

42. Eric Kendricks ILB UCLA

The Falcons have dramatically re-shaped their linebacker corps in Free Agency, adding Justin Durant and Brooks Reed. Reed is currently slotted into the SAM spot, but he could slide inside, or the Falcons could roll with Paul Worrilow for another season. While they have other needs at free safety and left guard (the simulation has them taking Missouri LT Mitch Morse in the next round to move inside to guard), there is probably only one ILB that the Falcons would take with this pick, and it's Eric Kendricks. Kendricks has the best coverage skills of the comparable ILBs (McKinney, Perryman, and Dawson) and ran a 4.61 forty at the Combine. It also doesn't hurt that Kendricks' college coordinator is now the Falcons' Linebackers' Coach. However, many scouts see the UCLA product as a WILL LB, and if the Falcons agree with that assessment, they may look in another direction with this pick.

73. Mitch Morse LOT(OG) Missouri

107. Derron Smith FS Fresno St

146. Martrell Spaight OLB Arkansas

184. Stefon Diggs WR Maryland

225. Matt Jones RB Florida

249. Damian Swann CB Georgia

[Falcon Man™]

[Lornoth]

This would be amazing, though I think Valles is a reach there and many others won't be available where they're listed here.

[KRUNKuno]

As much as I dont like Shane Ray, I might could live with this mock on the sole basis of getting Maxx Williams. That guy is going to be special.

[Tribal Chief]

Alot better than the recent ones around here

[jfalconsp]

Trade Valles for a CB or WR

[AndySG]

I would be pretty pleased with that.

[Monolith2001]

Wouldn't be happy about it but I would be able to sleep at night.

[thomas11bravo]

I'd be very pleased with the previous mock , Kinda torn between Vic Beasley and Shane Ray in first but cool....Second I'd rather have Perriman and the rest of the mock looks very good to me . Better than most I've seen

[MSalmon]

I like the second one. I'm not a huge Ray fan but get pick and getting kendricks would be a coup. Williams is a decent TE but he's no Gronk

[WTA]

What is a Groot imitator?

[Lornoth]

What is a Groot imitator?

A tall, stiff, tree-like person.

[papachaz]

I can't believe that mock has Cobb lasting till the 5th round for us......not a bad mock at all really, though as someone else pointed out some of those won't be there. Of course I realize it's a MOCK and not the actual draft

[thanat0s]

I'm fairly ambivalent about these pass rushers, so if we go that way, I guess Ray is as good as any. Its hard not to be somewhat impressed with Williams, though. I just have doubts if he lasts to our pick. I don't know much at all about Marpet, but he's popular around here.

All in all, I don't hate it, though truthfully Williams is the one who I'd be excited to see on the other end of Matt's passes.

[theProf]

Trade Valles for a CB or WR

I'd trade Valles for a 4th-round FS or CB, depending upon what position Southward ultimately plays at. If Southward is moved to CB, then Atlanta will need a FS more to Quinn's liking. Drafttek's selection of FS Chris Hackett in the 6th-round won't do, as he is much too slow for a Quinn-type of FS.

[Culain_04]

Ray is my least favorite PR,

no way Williams lasts to the 2nd,

I do like the Marpet pick

No way Cobb lasts to the 5th

[Bobby.Digital]

Not a fan if Ray would definetly go with Gregory but atleast he's better than Dupree. Would hate Williams in the 2nd. He's overrated because he's the best TE in a weak class. Like Marpet.

[Diesel_Bird]

How do you guys feel about Grant? Havnt seen him in any mocks around here

[theProf]

How do you guys feel about Grant? Havnt seen him in any mocks around here

Here's a scouting report on ILB Curtis Grant, 6'3", 238 pounds:

Overview

2014: Played in 15 games as Ohio State won the national championship. 2013: Palyed in 12 of the team's 14 games with 12 starts. 2012: Grant started the first three games of the season and came off the bench in five of the team's final nine games. 2011: Played in 10 games as a true freshman

Pro Day Results

40-yard dash: 4.65 and 4.7 seconds

Vertical jump: 36 inches

Broad jump: 10 feet, 5 inches

20-yard short shuttle: 4.46 seconds

Three-cone drill: 7.15 seconds

Analysis Strengths Shredded physique. Enjoys playing a physical brand of football and is willing to engage offensive linemen at the point of attack. Gets into blockers with his hands and works to shed. Has plus play strength. Tackles with authority.

Weaknesses Straight-line linebacker. If he starts downhill, he stays downhill. When run plays become fluid and changing, Grant doesn't feature the lateral change of direction to flow with them. Doesn't make enough plays. Has played less than 50 percent of the Buckeyes' snaps over the last two seasons.

Bottom Line: Looks the part, but has limitations in terms of instincts and overall nose for the ball. He's a physical inside linebacker with pass-rush and pass-coverage limitations. He might get a look based on measurables.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/curtis-grant?id=2552309

[The O.D.B]

I would love this pick for sure. He might be a stud in the NFL.

249. Dres Anderson WR Utah

[thanat0s]

Not a fan if Ray would definetly go with Gregory but atleast he's better than Dupree. Would hate Williams in the 2nd. He's overrated because he's the best TE in a weak class. Like Marpet.

If the eye test means anything, I agree on Randy Gregory. I "think" he's going to be one of those intimidating enforcer types. Having said that, I admit I'm not in love with any of them.

[theProf]

I would love this pick for sure. He might be a stud in the NFL.

249. Dres Anderson WR Utah

At least he has good blood lines. Dres' father is Flipper Anderson, who played for 10 years as an NFL WR. Interesting side-note about Flipper: he holds the National Football League record for most receiving yards and yards from scrimmage in a game, with 336 yards on 15 receptions with a 22.4 yards per reception average, set during the 12th week of the 1989 season against the New Orleans Saints. Flipper Anderson finished his career with 267 receptions for 5,357 yards and 28 touchdowns, giving him a 20.1 career yards per catch average.

[Sheldon Cooper]

Love Marpet in rd 3 same as my current mock.

1-Trade down

*1-NT-Malcom Brown

2-TE-Clive Walford

3-LG-Ali Marpet

*3-RCB-Josh Shaw

4-RB-Javorious Allen

5-RCB-JaCorey Shepherd

6-LCB-Nick Marshall

7-RB-Dominique Brown

7-WR-Antwan Goodley

[Beast-N-Da-Sheetz]

I'm a Shane Ray fan, so I'll take either one. If I had to pick, I'm going with the 2nd one.

[CraigSmackDaddy]

Been saying for weeks that I think our pick will be Shane Ray. Beasley and Fowler will be gone by # 8.