Our Biggest Needs

[texasfalconfan]

I see a lot of mocks coming out and it's way to early to say we pick so and so in this round we haven't even had the senior bowl yet but in reality I think these are the positions we need to address in order of importance

1.) inside linebacker, worrilow is ok but he is not a guy that can lead the defense. We need a Ilb that can be the qb of the defense. Look at Luke kueckly this guy is everywhere. I know we won't find a guy that's his caliber but someone close is key.

2.) center, we must get a good center period whether we sign a Ben Jones or draft probably in the 3rd round we must fix this.

3.) defensive end pass rusher. Beastly is gonna be great it's gonna take a little time but we need someone opposite of him to take some of the pressure off.

4.) strong safety. Moore is a joke sorry he's as fragile as fine china. He has to be replaced with someone who plays like chancellor.

I know we need to upgrade our guard and tight end but our current guys are at least serviceable. I also know we do not have the ammunition (draft picks) to fill more than 4 starting positions, which is why I am posting the 4 I think must be upgraded. Comments?

[JDaveG]

We really need to fix C and G in FA in my opinion. I can't see trusting the biggest hole on the team to a rookie draft pick.

ILB is fine in the draft, as is DE/OLB. Safety is an interesting position -- if there is a good fit in FA I could see us upgrading both positions honestly.

[Theyhateme : )]

1. C

2. Guard

3. NT

4. MLB

5. DB (Safety)

Notice that all positions, except Guard, is right up the middle on both sides of the ball.

[JDaveG]

1. C

2. Guard

3. NT

4. MLB

5. DB (Safety)

Notice that all positions, except Guard, is right up the middle on both sides of the ball.

I didn't think about NT, but that's a great point. Jarrett and Hageman are similar players. I hope they don't turn Hageman into a NT (I trust them if they do, but it doesn't seem an ideal fit for his skillset), so I hope we address that position.

Good catch.

[falconsfan4life3]

1. C

2. Guard

3. NT

4. MLB

5. DB (Safety)

Notice that all positions, except Guard, is right up the middle on both sides of the ball.

I would add WR and OLB too.

[blackredfellow]

I agree with you and JDaveG to a T. We need a Center more than anything IMO. You can't have a center snapping all over the place, making Ryan jumpy right at the snap which is probably taking another half second away from Ryan's reads because he's so focused on making sure the snap isn't off. We need to find a C in FA, a proven commodity, no matter the cost. If nothing else than to give Ryan peace of mind (and a half tick less thinking and more reading the defense).

I think there's enough draft talent to upgrade MLB and Safety (like Karl Joseph, healthy version of WillyMo in 3rd). We should focus our FA money on C first, then a G. We should double dip for pass rush with the draft (early in the draft) and FA. Oh, and we need a WR somewhere along the way too.

[texasfalconfan]

We really need to fix C and G in FA in my opinion. I can't see trusting the biggest hole on the team to a rookie draft pick.i agree on the center position being filled in free agency. With that in mind only person I can see would be Ben Jones he's a Georgia boy and we all know free agents don't come running to Atlanta. we can get them if they either have ties to the city or the coaching staff. With that in mind who would be a reasonable prospect to get? Or what's your thoughts on Ben jones?

ILB is fine in the draft, as is DE/OLB. Safety is an interesting position -- if there is a good fit in FA I could see us upgrading both positions honestly.

[MAD597]

Center and Guards

Need to be taken in the draft for a long term fix and vet's singed in FA for the short term. Draft a Center and 2 guards and Sign a vet Center and guard.

The OL MUST be fixed this off season, no more excuses no more duct tape, no more cheap trash filling in. Spend tons of money and fix this **** thing once and for all.

After that LB, DT, Safety, NT

[AndySG]

The issue is that people like Kuechley are extremely difficult to find. There's a handful of athletic three down linebackers in the world, of which he is probably the best.

[JDaveG]

i agree on the center position being filled in free agency. With that in mind only person I can see would be Ben Jones he's a Georgia boy and we all know free agents don't come running to Atlanta. we can get them if they either have ties to the city or the coaching staff. With that in mind who would be a reasonable prospect to get? Or what's your thoughts on Ben jones?

ILB is fine in the draft, as is DE/OLB. Safety is an interesting position -- if there is a good fit in FA I could see us upgrading both positions honestly.

Ben Jones would be ideal in my mind. I haven't watched him play all that much, and they just moved him from G to C, last season I think, but provided he played well at C, I think he'd be fantastic. We could then draft a G/C to develop behind him.

[blackredfellow]

The issue is that people like Kuechley are extremely difficult to find. There's a handful of athletic three down linebackers in the world, of which he is probably the best.

Well, OP did acknowledge that a Kuechly will be difficult to find. My thing is, it won't take much to be an upgrade over Worrillow. Somewhere in the middle of those two guys would be ok with me.

[Lornoth]

We need a TE. I think people really overlook the need for that position. Kyle's offense heavily features the TE, we need one that can both catch and block. Way more important than another WR. Center is obviously the most important thing on offense though.

Defensively, it depends largely on what we do with Sol and TJax. If we get rid of either one of them we need to bring someone good in to replace them.

[FalconFanSince1969]

Interior OL

Linebackers

Everything else is secondary but I'd rank them

DE/DT hybrid type

SS/LB hybrid type

WR

TE

[Diesel_Bird]

Well, OP did acknowledge that a Kuechly will be difficult to find. My thing is, it won't take much to be an upgrade over Worrillow. Somewhere in the middle of those two guys would be ok with me.

Agreed. Highly unlikely we get a Luke in this draft. But we just need someone who will at least be decent. Worrilow has just been flat out frustrating to watch for me. I know some will disagree

[me4falcons]

1. MLB

2. Interior OL

3. Safety

[atlGM]

1A . LG

1B. DE

1C. ILB

2A. OC

2B. TE

2C. RG

3A. SS

3B. OLB

[Spts1]

I think its more a offensive scheme problem for the Falcons than anything. In other words, no matter who they bring in, as long as Ryan is running that Shanahan offense, the results most likely will be the same. Defense needs to get better up the middle at both linebacker and safety.

[Bring It]

Whomever they draft........or sign in free agency........make sure that player is :

HUNGRY

TEAM PLAYER......not some egomaniac

COACHABLE

PLAYMAKER

Recipe for success.

[Lord Sarcomere]

1. C

2. OG

3. MLB

4. SS

5. OLB

6. DE

7. WR

Would love to see 3 or 4 impact players brought in through FA (WR, DE, C, and maybe OG) and 2 players through the draft (MLB and SS).

It's certainly not outside the realm of possibility. Especially if we can sign a WR to a relatively cheap deal (ie Marvin Jones or Sanu, Kearse). We will need to pony up if we want a good DE and OG, however.

[clownorg]

a True and competent GM

[Nono]

new owner

[Atlfanstckndenver]

It appears that for the most part, there is a general consensus as to the needs for the Falcons roster. The order on priority can be debated, but over all its all pretty agreed upon. The only thing I don't agree with is when people mention defensive tackle as being one of the biggest needs. I think between PS and TJ we can definitely keep one of them. Honestly, I'm not even against keeping both unless we need the salary space to sign some good free agents. Then on top of that we have Babs along with two young guys with high upside in Hageman as Jarrett. Why would DT be such a priority? I sincerely don't get it. I realize of course that we can improve the position, but calling it a priority?

Edited January 20, 2016 by Atlfanstckndenver

[blackredfellow]

It appears that for the most part, there is a general consensus as to the needs for the Falcons roster. The order on priority can be debated, but over all its all pretty agreed upon. The only thing I don't agree with is when people mention defensive tackle as being one of the biggest needs. I think between PS and TJ we can definitely keep one of them. Honestly, I'm not even against keeping both unless we need the salary space to sign some good free agents. Then on top of that we have Babs along with two young guys with high upside in Hageman as Jarrett. Why would DT be such a priority? I sincerely don't get it. I realize of course that we can improve the position, but calling it a priority?

I don't think its the highest priority, but definitely a need. Babs is gonna be 35 this year. He's still producing decently, but you have to anticipate a drop off soon. Hageman is too inconsistent, and PS and TJ are overpaid rotational guys. Grady Jarrett, yes, he has upside and lots of it. But who in there are you truly confident in? Then of course there is the argument that pass rush can be improved by improving the DT position, either eating blocks or an actual rushing DT.

I see what youre saying for sure, but I look at the depth there and it does worry me. Then there is the ol' visual eye test, we weren't seeing a lot of pockets collapsing from the tackle position, which we desperately need. I wouldn't say go get one with the first pick but I wouldn't roll with the current guys either.

[Theyhateme : )]

1. C

2. Guard

3. NT

4. MLB

5. DB (Safety)

Notice that all positions, except Guard, is right up the middle on both sides of the ball.

For the record: Any combination of FA and/or draft picks

[kiwifalcon]

Ben Jones would be ideal in my mind. I haven't watched him play all that much, and they just moved him from G to C, last season I think, but provided he played well at C, I think he'd be fantastic. We could then draft a G/C to develop behind him.

I watched Jones & Brooks against the Chiefs gotta say they got nothing done in the run game but were adequate in pass pro.I'm not really sure who we go with but it does need that experience vet though.

I've kinda switched my FA go gets alittle.I've gone Kearse as my #2 to be opposite Julio.

If Osemele some how falls into FA I'd pay him.

Also though another long shot but Berry or Mack I just think a combo of those 4 guys goes along way to fixing what ale's us.