Nfl Mock Draft: 5 Potential First-Round Targets

[birdz4i]

Posted 16 hours ago

Andrew Hirsh

atlantafalcons.com

The Falcons' 2015 campaign has drawn to a close, and with a crucial offseason about to begin, many are starting to focus on the upcoming NFL Draft and who Atlanta might take with its first-round pick.

With the NFL Draft order set through 20 picks, writers have begun to forecast where some of the nation’s top prospects will land come April 28. Here are five guys whom the media thinks Atlanta could select in the first round.

Myles Jack - SB Nation
Position: Linebacker
College: UCLA
Scouting Report: One of the best LBs available, Jack is a versatile defender who thrived at a multitude of spots at UCLA—including running back, where he tallied 11 touchdowns. The explosive defender has the makings of a field general thanks to his instincts and well-rounded skill set. One of Jack’s biggest strengths is his pass coverage: With the Bruins, he was able to effectively shadow opposing WRs and TEs thanks to natural athleticism, football I.Q. and the kind of aggressiveness that jumps out in the film room. Jack is currently rehabbing from an injury that’s sidelined him since Sept. 23, so it’ll be interesting to see how that affects his Combine results and, ultimately, his draft stock.

Darron Lee - Bleacher Report
Position: Linebacker
College: Ohio State
Scouting Report: A Freshman All-American who helped the Buckeyes to their 2014 National Championship, Lee is a speedy linebacker who thrives in all defensive situations. His explosiveness is palpable, and his ability to bend the edge makes him especially dangerous during blitz packages. Multiple scouts have said his athleticism is rare, and as someone who plays with the kind of energy Dan Quinn desires, he could be a nice fit in Atlanta.

Laquon Treadwell - Walter Football
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Ole Miss
Scouting Report: Treadwell burst onto the scene in 2013 when he broke Ole Miss freshman records for receptions (72), yards (608) and touchdown catches (five). As a junior, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound wideout caught 82 passes for 1,153 yards and 11 TDs—all team-highs. Scouts say he has great hands and, thanks to his height/long arms, is a big target with an impressive catch radius. Treadwell is particularly strong, too, which allows him to regularly out-muscle cornerbacks to create separation.

Emmanuel Ogbah - Fox Sports
Position: Defensive Line
College: Oklahoma State
Scouting Report: At 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, Ogbah has the ideal frame of an NFL defensive end. He’s averaged 12 sacks in each of his last two seasons at OSU and has the physical tools needed to be a dominant pass rusher at the next level. As someone who is still learning the finer points of his position, he would certainly benefit from working with a head coach like Dan Quinn.

Robert Nkemdiche - CBS Sports
Position: Defensive Line
College: Ole Miss
Scouting Report: One of the most physically gifted prospects in the 2016 class, Nkemdiche moves incredibly well for someone listed near 300 pounds. Fluid lower-body movements help him change directions and elude blocks; his hand technique helped many times as a Rebel. Although he played a lot of DT in college, he has the speed and explosiveness of the snap to be an edge rusher in the NFL.

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/NFL-Mock-Draft-5-Potential-First-Round-Targets/d205aae4-615d-45e6-910f-53e156eee003

[Sun Tzu 7]

Too bad good combines could potentially push these guys into the top 10-15...

[Gibson's Finest]

I like Ragland out of Alabama

[RHEC]

Robert Nkemdiche? No thank you. Not one person mocked us a Center or Guard... I guess they didn't watch falcons?

[FentayeJones]

I would not be upset with any of these picks. I hope we go BPA with the exception of CB, QB and RB in the first round.

[Shaggy 2.0]

Myles Jack - SB Nation

Position: Linebacker

College: UCLA

Scouting Report: One of the best LBs available, Jack is a versatile defender who thrived at a multitude of spots at UCLA—including running back, where he tallied 11 touchdowns. The explosive defender has the makings of a field general thanks to his instincts and well-rounded skill set. One of Jack’s biggest strengths is his pass coverage: With the Bruins, he was able to effectively shadow opposing WRs and TEs thanks to natural athleticism, football I.Q. and the kind of aggressiveness that jumps out in the film room. Jack is currently rehabbing from an injury that’s sidelined him since Sept. 23, so it’ll be interesting to see how that affects his Combine results and, ultimately, his draft stock.

Darron Lee - Bleacher Report

Position: Linebacker

College: Ohio State

Scouting Report: A Freshman All-American who helped the Buckeyes to their 2014 National Championship, Lee is a speedy linebacker who thrives in all defensive situations. His explosiveness is palpable, and his ability to bend the edge makes him especially dangerous during blitz packages. Multiple scouts have said his athleticism is rare, and as someone who plays with the kind of energy Dan Quinn desires, he could be a nice fit in Atlanta.

GIVE ME EITHER ONE OF THESE TWO GUYS! I like the kid from UCLA more because he seems NFL ready and polished and his body seems bigger(Jack listed at 225 on his wiki, but at 245 on CBS.com) than Lee's ( lee is listed at 235 on ESPN.com). But they both have the play making skills we need on our line-backing core. Does anyone see the similarities between ALEC OGLETREE and Myles jack?

[RookieBird]

I haven't seen the media being right too often when it comes to Atlanta's drafts. Especially when it comes to mock drafts. I figure it depends on what they do in free agency. Also who the 16 teams before them draft. The sure bet is whoever they draft in the first will be either defense front seven or Offensive line. Even if they make a move up or down from 17 in my opinion those are the positions they look at to pick their player. So most of the players mentioned in this report probably won't be there at 17. I guess we will eventually see. I think it will be an exciting draft.

[g-dawg]

Robert Nkemdiche? No thank you. Not one person mocked us a Center or Guard... I guess they didn't watch falcons?

unfortunately, there is not a center/guard worthy of first round consideration that I can see. I see Falcons going into free agency and trying to get two starters there at center/guard - Dimitroff has already shown he does not know what he is doing picking those guys already - and even if he is just an order-taker now from Quinn - Q has no expertise in offensive linemen either.

I say - as others on this board have said - pluck Ben Jones© and Brandon Brooks(G) off the free agent market and bring them to Atlanta - Houston Texans already run a similiar ZBS already.

I see C/OG/Passrusher in free agency - and then probably LB/TE/WR/SS in the draft (in no particular order). It would be stupid to get Dimitroff to try and draft offensive linemen again - he simply does not have the ability to do it.

[rugger8]

Robert Nkemdiche? No thank you. Not one person mocked us a Center or Guard... I guess they didn't watch falcons?

C or OG are our biggest needs, but can you name a C or OG who should be taken with a 17th pick? There's not one.

Those should be addressed with our 2nd, 3rd and/or 4th picks.

Therefore, our remaining needs at LB and anywhere on the DL are addressed with these picks... and I'd personally be ok with any of those except the WR.

[Sidecar Falcon]

Robert Nkemdiche? No thank you. Not one person mocked us a Center or Guard... I guess they didn't watch falcons?

Quality C and G can be found later. Currently I want us to get Martin in the 2nd (move him to LG) and Matthews in the 3rd for C. Both have tremendous upside, pedigree and technique.

[Sidecar Falcon]

I like Jack and Ogbah the best from this list it, but I don't think they will be there at our pick. I haven't done too much research on Lee but Ohio State LBs scare me. Treadwell looks legit and I would be OK with us drafting him if key positions are filled first. Nkemdiche will most likely be at our pick due to off the field issues. He has tremendous upside and physical talents. At 17 he could provide us the most "bang for our buck" and help bolster our defensive line with his versatility.

[rugger8]

unfortunately, there is not a center/guard worthy of first round consideration that I can see. I see Falcons going into free agency and trying to get two starters there at center/guard - Dimitroff has already shown he does not know what he is doing picking those guys already - and even if he is just an order-taker now from Quinn - Q has no expertise in offensive linemen either.

I say - as others on this board have said - pluck Ben Jones© and Brandon Brooks(G) off the free agent market and bring them to Atlanta - Houston Texans already run a similiar ZBS already.

I see C/OG/Passrusher in free agency - and then probably LB/TE/WR/SS in the draft (in no particular order). It would be stupid to get Dimitroff to try and draft offensive linemen again - he simply does not have the ability to do it.

I think we need to address the OL in both the draft and FA. We need a Center to be able to start immediately, so preferably the C would come from FA. I think the OGs would be serviceable if there was a big upgrade at C... Though I'd rather they both be relegated to a reserve role. Levitre's penalties were out of control.

[brewman]

What proven C and OG FA's will be on the market this off season?

[RHEC]

unfortunately, there is not a center/guard worthy of first round consideration that I can see. I see Falcons going into free agency and trying to get two starters there at center/guard - Dimitroff has already shown he does not know what he is doing picking those guys already - and even if he is just an order-taker now from Quinn - Q has no expertise in offensive linemen either.

I say - as others on this board have said - pluck Ben Jones© and Brandon Brooks(G) off the free agent market and bring them to Atlanta - Houston Texans already run a similiar ZBS already.

I see C/OG/Passrusher in free agency - and then probably LB/TE/WR/SS in the draft (in no particular order). It would be stupid to get Dimitroff to try and draft offensive linemen again - he simply does not have the ability to do it.

That's what im afraid of, it looks like we need to sign some oline help, that's if TD don't sit on his arse and does nothing.

[rugger8]

Given our needs are typically available later, Quinn is wanting to develop players, and our lack of draft picks, this would be the year to trade back for additional picks, in my opinion... of course, that's always my preference. I think the draft is as much a numbers game as it is a scouting game.

[A-TowN.-]

Robert Nkemdiche? No thank you. Not one person mocked us a Center or Guard... I guess they didn't watch falcons?

Because you don't generally take those in the first and you can find great a C or G on Day 2.

[Matt_The Iceman_Ryan]

Remove both Robert Nkemdiche and Laquon Treadwell....substitute Jaylon Smith and Shaq Lawson.

Edited January 5, 2016 by Matt_The Iceman_Ryan

[DMT11]

They may end up moving person over to guard, getting one of the top centers in FA and we probably have to stick with Levitre hoping he does better playing next to a better player at center. His cap hit is depressing as fck

[Culain_04]

Robert Nkemdiche? No thank you. Not one person mocked us a Center or Guard... I guess they didn't watch falcons?

I think Center has to be addressed in FA, i would like to draft a center and guard but not early rounds

[JD dirtybird21]

With how many holes are on the team. I would vote for just drafting the best player available at our pick. LB, S, OL, TE, whoever is the best

[Rise]

LBs? in the 1st round?

with no pass rush?

Falcons don't utilize a 3-4 defense?

All the money and possible cap-penalties invested in LBs last offseason?

Falcons are stuck with LB money. Drafting more in the 1st round = treading water at the position, and creating wasted cap space.

Shaq Lawson, Laquon Treadwell, and Robert Nkemdiche....all better options..

Brees had all day to survey the field...

Falcons have DTs playing DE, and DE playing DT = No pass rush.

Nkemdiche: Get over his mistake. Talk to his family. Get them to watch him. He is close to home. Get a pass rush, Beasley is way too small to be the only pass rusher on The Falcons, and teams are going to double him next season.

Solve the problem.

On Offense: Treadwell is is good option because Roddy is possibly gone, Julio is taking a pounding, and may not remain healthy, Hardy was never considered more than a slot WR, and Falcons need someone to get open from Ryan. No Fantasy TEs worthy of a 1st round grade in this draft..Falcons need a WR that can run like crazy, and get open...Not another over-sized WR/TE hybrid, or weight-lifting "Herc" there.

Edited January 5, 2016 by Rise

[A-TowN.-]

My top choices in order are:

Myles Jack, LB UCLA

Jaylon Smith, LB Notre Dame

DeForest Buckner, DE Oregon

Reggie Ragland, LB Alabama

Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson

A'Shawn Robinson, DT Alabama

Joshua Garnett, OL Stanford

Doubt the first three will be there so I am hoping the others will be there. If not, trade back and gain some picks.

[Rise]

Robert Nkemdiche? No thank you. Not one person mocked us a Center or Guard... I guess they didn't watch falcons?

Pull the arrest records of messageboard members....

If Nkemdiche is there, get him. Need a pass rush, and do not have time to waste. IF I'm Quinn, I could be fired in 2-3 seasons--and another coach would be starting-over with a rookie QB in another re-building process...

Shaq Lawson is a better pass rusher though at DE, and The Falcons can possibly to reunite him with Beasley and Jarrett...

OG-C:

There is not one that fits Shanahan's scheme...He's not being fired, or it would have already happened yesterday.

Matt Ryan does not work well with in-experienced Centers... Alex Mack, or Ben Jones can be had... Falcons need a veteran leader at Center. Someone that Ryan respects because he is not going to lead the offensive line..He's too nice to snap on those guys...

Alex Mack is not going to bring more upside, but he brings respect. leadership, and experienced line calls.

[Rise]

My top choices in order are:

Myles Jack, LB UCLA

Jaylon Smith, LB Notre Dame

DeForest Buckner, DE Oregon

Reggie Ragland, LB Alabama

Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson

A'Shawn Robinson, DT Alabama

Joshua Garnett, OL Stanford

Doubt the first three will be there so I am hoping the others will be there. If not, trade back and gain some picks.

Robinson and Lawson should be the top, and no LBs...

LBs look better with a monster D-Line in front of them....Falcons/TD/Pioli/Quinn signed: Reed, Durant, and Schofield.... Do you want Ragland and Worrilow "Competing" in camp, but no significant talent on The D-Line? If they do draft Ragland in the 1st (Alabama runs a 3-4 mostly), they need to trade Worrilow. No "camp competition at all 3 LBs spots".

Falcons need D-LIne help. Pass rush help more than in the 1st.

3rd- to 5th round LBs "compete" without being named a starter after the draft.

[etherdome]

unfortunately, there is not a center/guard worthy of first round consideration that I can see. I see Falcons going into free agency and trying to get two starters there at center/guard - Dimitroff has already shown he does not know what he is doing picking those guys already - and even if he is just an order-taker now from Quinn - Q has no expertise in offensive linemen either.

I say - as others on this board have said - pluck Ben Jones© and Brandon Brooks(G) off the free agent market and bring them to Atlanta - Houston Texans already run a similiar ZBS already.

I see C/OG/Passrusher in free agency - and then probably LB/TE/WR/SS in the draft (in no particular order). It would be stupid to get Dimitroff to try and draft offensive linemen again - he simply does not have the ability to do it.

Very well put, g-dawg. After signing the interior linemen, we will need to turn our attention to a defender that can help the pass rush. Our draft decisions will be heavily dependent on who we sign in Free Agency.

When evaluating who should be our draft targets, we need to take into account the probabilities of signing each individual player. Judging from what I have read, Bruce Irvin has expressed an interest in joining Quinn. Conversely, both Vernon and Curry are in the middle of big changes in their respective organizations. It is tough to gauge their chances of re-signing with their present clubs. In my opinion, our best chance of signing a pass rusher is Bruce Irvin.

If we assume that Irvin is our guy, then our draft targets should get shaded towards the bigger DE's. In my opinion, that means Nkemdiche or Ogbah (forgive any spelling errors).

We could feature a DL like this: LEO(Beasley), DT(Babs/Jarret), DT(Soliai/Mbu), DE(Hageman/Nkemdiche. To my eyes, that looks like the best DL we have had in a long while. When you put Irvin behind that DL and have Clayborne and Schofield rotate into the line up, you have a pretty good foundation.

The second round looks like a good time to draft Hunter Henry. He looks like the classic TE that moves the chains when most needed and that is an accomplished blocker.