theProf Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 vaughn mcclure @vxmcclure23 · 29m 29 minutes ago If the Falcons are looking to move up, as @AlbertBreer reported, I personally believe it would be for USC's Leonard Williams.Previous McClure article on Williams:USC's Leonard Williams has respect for Falcons coach Dan Quinn Vaughn McClure, ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams has been touted as the most dominant defensive player in this year's draft class and top's ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper's big board.Could Williams end up with the Falcons? There appears to be mutual interest.The 6-foot-4, 302-pound Williams met with the Falcons last week at his school and spoke highly of Falcons coach Dan Quinn, someone he was familiar with from the past."Dan Quinn is a great guy," Williams told ESPN.com NFL Nation reporter Coley Harvey during Episode 53 of NFL Nation TV. "I almost forgot he was the head coach for a minute because he recruited me out of high school. He was the defensive line coach (and defensive coordinator) with the Florida Gators. Me and Dan Quinn, we have a great relationship just from the past. We've always kept in touch. It was a great visit with those guys."Williams, from Daytona Beach, Florida, has been called arguably the safest pick in the draft. He has the versatility to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme or defensive tackle in 4-3. Williams said he prefers playing the three-technique in a 4-3 scheme.If the Falcons are truly interested in Williams, they might have to consider trading up from the No. 8 overall pick. Last season, general manager Thomas Dimitroff considered swapping picks with his protege, Jacksonville general manager David Caldwell. This year, the Jaguars own the No. 3 overall pick, so it might make sense for Dimitroff to have discussions with Caldwell again just in case.Although the Falcons appear to be focused on an edge rusher, a dominant force on the interior such as Williams could have even more impact in terms of freeing up others to rush the quarterback. In three seasons at USC, Williams had 36.5 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, nine passes defended and five forced fumbles. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Williams had seven sacks while lined up at defensive tackle, the position he'd likely play if the Falcons found a way to get him.Here is Kiper's breakdown of Williams:"He won't be the top pick in the draft, but he's still No. 1 here. Long, powerful and versatile, Williams is arguably the safest pick in the draft. He jolts blockers, has exceptional awareness and always finds the ball, and he disrupts regardless of where he's lined up. Odd fronts, even fronts -- it really doesn't matter. Quick for his size, he can move all over and not only won't get pushed around when he's inside, he can penetrate and handle more than one gap. He's a special athlete who could be drafted by any team and make an immediate impact, regardless of scheme."ESPN draft analysis Todd McShay has Williams going to the Chicago Bears at No. 7 in his latest mock draft. McShay then has the Falcons taking Nebraska edge-rusher Randy Gregory with the No. 8 pick.USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams has been touted as the most dominant defensive player in this year's draft class and top's ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper's big board.Could Williams end up with the Falcons? There appears to be mutual interest.The 6-foot-4, 302-pound Williams met with the Falcons last week at his school and spoke highly of Falcons coach Dan Quinn, someone he was familiar with from the past."Dan Quinn is a great guy," Williams told ESPN.com NFL Nation reporter Coley Harvey during Episode 53 of NFL Nation TV. "I almost forgot he was the head coach for a minute because he recruited me out of high school. He was the defensive line coach (and defensive coordinator) with the Florida Gators. Me and Dan Quinn, we have a great relationship just from the past. We've always kept in touch. It was a great visit with those guys." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primetime Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 We won't move up - period Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySG Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Not really a fan of moving up. I think it would cost too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsSavant Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 (edited) Good because getting mediocre players you will have a mediocre team. Edited April 28, 2015 by FalconsSavant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanish_falcon Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Not a fan of moving up, but if we are getting Williams at least we get the best player in the draft. Just no to trade up for Fowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitalist Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Ok... But what does Todd McClure think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Ok... But what does Todd McClure think?He thinks it will be for Williams if the Falcons move up.Like Vaughn, I hope he does lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 Ok... But what does Todd McClure think?Todd McClure just hopes that the Falcons still have a second-round pick for him to announce at the draft.Todd McClure will announce the Falcons' second round draft pickBy Dave Choate @TheFalcoholic on Apr 24, 2015, 11:44a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird#11 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Gurlie2Atlantie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Willie to Atlantie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaRdH3ad Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Good because getting mediocre players you will have a mediocre team.See this is my problem I'm with you. I don't understand these other ppl that cry about us signing mediocre players in free agency yet want us to stay @ 8 and get a mediocre pass rusher? Makes no sense to me. Too many people play both sides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconOdense Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 That is the only one I would trade for, but I still say stay at 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monolith2001 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 If you gotta move up, grab the best player that fits your needs. I think that is Williams but I'd be okay with a move up for Beasley or Fowler as well as long as we can work a decent deal. What I don't want is for us to be getting leftovers (reaching) or burning picks on talent we don't really need. The worst part of picking 8, is that you can taste the better talent but are just out of reach of being able to get them unless other teams pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeriver Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Dat Hageman/Williams combo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xiv_T_E_C_O_ Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 If the staff feels highly about a player and they don't feel their chances of acquiring said player are good at the current position I wouldn't blame them at all for moving up. If you see a playmaker, and you have the means then go get him... I'd prefer that over watching someone else pick him and us just settling for someone, as fans we'll never be happy regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconOdense Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 A trade like that would at least cost us a second round pick. That means that we have to wait until round 3 to find a LEO that can start. Is that even possible? Do we believe that Schofield and Clayborn can play the LEO with success? No doubt that the middle with Hageman and Williams has the potential to be lethal. But in my honest opinion I think we are trading for Fowler if we are indeed trading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 See this is my problem I'm with you. I don't understand these other ppl that cry about us signing mediocre players in free agency yet want us to stay @ 8 and get a mediocre pass rusher? Makes no sense to me. Too many people play both sidesGood point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconOdense Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 And regarding Brees. With his small size he hates getting the pressure from the middle. Williams and Hageman would not be a pleasant thing to look at from his perspective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 A trade like that would at least cost us a second round pick. That means that we have to wait until round 3 to find a LEO that can start. Is that even possible? Do we believe that Schofield and Clayborn can play the LEO with success?No doubt that the middle with Hageman and Williams has the potential to be lethal.But in my honest opinion I think we are trading for Fowler if we are indeed trading.If Williams makes it past Raiders at 4, he could very well fall all the way to the Bears at 7.The Skins and Jets are loaded at their 3-4 DE positions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulitik Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 He's the only one worth moving up for, but as awesome and versatile as he is, we are better staying put and getting a true edge rusher. I'd rather trade back for Dupree, Gregory, or Ray, than lose draft picks. I think Beasley could fall to us. That said, if we can move up, and keep our 2nd rounder, imagine getting Leonard Williams at 5 and Shane Ray at pick 42. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanish_falcon Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 He's the only one worth moving up for, but as awesome and versatile as he is, we are better staying put and getting a true edge rusher. I'd rather trade back for Dupree, Gregory, or Ray, than lose draft picks. I think Beasley could fall to us. That said, if we can move up, and keep our 2nd rounder, imagine getting Leonard Williams at 5 and Shane Ray at pick 42.That would be awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da_Truth Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 He's the only one worth moving up for, but as awesome and versatile as he is, we are better staying put and getting a true edge rusher. I'd rather trade back for Dupree, Gregory, or Ray, than lose draft picks. I think Beasley could fall to us. That said, if we can move up, and keep our 2nd rounder, imagine getting Leonard Williams at 5 and Shane Ray at pick 42.I could live with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRUNKuno Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Not worth it at all. Nobody in this draft is worth trading up in the top 5 for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 That would be a better move than trading for Julio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidecar Falcon Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 The only player worth trading up for. Completely worth it if we get a monster on our dline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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