theProf Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 NFL Draft Needs: Falcons Monday, April 18, 2016 Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld's NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld's college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they're breaking down every team's biggest needs and offering potential draft-day solutions. No. 1 Team Need: Offensive Line Silva's Analysis Even after signing C Alex Mack, Atlanta's offensive line shortcomings are on the interior. LG Andy Levitre is overpaid ($6.5 million) relative to his performance and was a rumored release candidate at the beginning of the offseason. Mike Person, Ben Garland and James Stone won't cut it across from Levitre. The Falcons need to come out of the draft with a starting right guard. OC Kyle Shanahan prefers lighter linemen with movement ability for his zone-running scheme. No. 2 Team Need: Defensive Back Silva's Analysis LCB Desmond Trufant and RCB Robert Alford form an underrated starting tandem, but Atlanta lacks a viable slot corner to play between them. At safety, the Falcons return size- and speed-deficient FS Ricardo Allen and should-be special teamer SS Kemal Ishmael after releasing over-the-hill William Moore. In coach Dan Quinn's Seahawks-style defense, the strong safety must be able to run the alley, intimidate with physicality and aggressiveness and match up with tight ends in a pinch. No. 3 Team Need: Tight EndSilva's Analysis The Falcons' offseason began with outside pass rush as their biggest need, but they may feel comfortable with their defensive end rotation after reuniting Adrian Clayborn with RE Vic Beasley and signing power end Derrick Shelby from Miami. Up next was pass catcher, where $32.5 million free-agent pickup Mohamed Sanu is best employed as a role player. Adding an impact receiving tight end could further mitigate Atlanta's pass-catching deficiency. Incumbent Jacob Tamme is a 31-year-old backup-caliber player entering his contract year. Another Falcons need is interior defensive line depth behind 34-year-old Jonathan Babineaux, inconsistent Ra'Shede Hageman and promising sophomore Grady Jarrett. Norris' Mock Draft Round 1 (17): LB Darron Lee, Ohio State - With just five selections, the Falcons are prime trade down targets. This could easily be safety first, linebacker second. More than anything, Dan Quinn needs to add speed at linebacker. He had it in Seattle and lacks it in Atlanta. Lee played a hybrid safety/linebacker role at Ohio State and can get to portions of the field other linebackers cannot, play in and play out. Round 2 (50): S Keanu Neal, Florida - Just like the Falcons need to add speed at linebacker, the team also needs a bully on defense. Neal is just that. He is so much fun to watch, like a missile hitting its target with plenty of intent. Neal certainly fits the strong safety mold many teams look for. If the team waits, D.J. Hunter is an option later on. Round 3 (81): G Connor McGovern, Missouri - McGovern could be selected earlier than this, like in the second round territory. The collegiate left tackle will move inside to guard and might start immediately in the NFL. He is one of the top athletes in this class along the offensive line, so teams will have to compete with the Seahawks to draft him. Round 4 (115): TE Jerell Adams, South Carolina - It would not shock me if some teams grade Adams as the top inline option in this class. He has displayed the ability to make contested catches in the middle of the field, is a solid blocker for the position and boasts a 6-foot-5, 247-pound frame. Round 7 (238): CB Blake Countess, Auburn - Countess is one of the more experienced slot corners in this draft, and played against major competition at both Michigan and Auburn. http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/62017/71/nfl-draft-needs-falcons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOR Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 I love jerrell Adams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold4425 Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 It could work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 First and second round hit my current mock. Starting to believe both will be gone though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 So, Shanahan has specifically said that you don't need smaller guys to play his scheme, then they list the top 3 needs for the team and the first pick is not one of them. That said, I could live with this draft, especially the positions taken. Would need to know how the rest of the first and second rounds played out to see if those players would be my picks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Meh. Like the 3rd/4th. 1st and 2nd can be improved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted April 18, 2016 Author Share Posted April 18, 2016 2 hours ago, FalconFanSince1970 said: First and second round hit my current mock. Starting to believe both will be gone though. I'm starting to see Darron Lee being mocked to Miami at pick #13 more and more. Keanu Neal has really moved up the draft boards, and was even invited to be one of the twenty-five prospects present at the draft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraTurbo 2000 Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Ricardo allen is short but I dont agree he is slow. Also dont think we are satisfied with past rushers. Hearing more and more Lee might be a safty candiate not sure how feasable that is. If cant trade down would be okay with this draft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takeitdown Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Think this may be how it plays out, but the first 2 rounds are meh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The O.D.B Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Not bad but, Paul needs some competition. If lee takes to the coaching spoon could slide over to middle but, I don't seem him staying healthy in at MLB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumblesjr,jr Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Sound spot on how the draft will go. I'm seeing the same way, lb,s,og,te with first 4 picks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla1985 Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 LB is a bigger need than OL yet it wasn't even mentioned as one of our top needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted April 18, 2016 Author Share Posted April 18, 2016 1 hour ago, Godzilla1985 said: LB is a bigger need than OL yet it wasn't even mentioned as one of our top needs. Pass Rusher is still a big need too, and it wasn't mentioned either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumblesjr,jr Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 1 hour ago, Godzilla1985 said: LB is a bigger need than OL yet it wasn't even mentioned as one of our top needs. 23 minutes ago, theProf said: Pass Rusher is still a big need too, and it wasn't mentioned either. did both you guys even read the article or just skimped out the names? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla1985 Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 (edited) 4 minutes ago, mumblesjr,jr said: did both you guys even read the article or just skimped out the names? It said the NEEDS of the Falcons were 1. OL 2. CB & 3 TE. Yes he shows a LB & SS as the first two picks but that is not what was indicated as a NEED according to what was posted from the article. Edited April 18, 2016 by Godzilla1985 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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