Atlanta Falcons Forecast
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Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
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(47) Kelly Jennings, CB. Miami
(79) Maurice Drew, RB. UCLA
(93) Ray Edwards, DE. Purdue
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Having Pro Bowler Patrick Kerney on one side of the line and having traded away the #15 overall pick to acquire fellow Pro Bowler John Abraham, one might think it foolish for defensive end to be a day one need for the Falcons. Truth is, the best defenses in the league all have depth at the position, and the Falcons have none. A big, physical end wuold make sense for the Falcons. However, the primary need for the defense lies in the secondary. Whether corner or safety, finding the biggest difference-maker in the middle of round two will be necessary for the franchinse to have a successful draft. On the offensive side of the ball, the trade to acquire Wayne Gandy solved the hole at left tackle left by Kevin Shaffer for at least another year. The interior line could still use depth and a potential starter. Grabbing a guard or center is a legitimate option on day one. Lastly, with the loss of Warrick Dunn, finding a back to supplement TJ Duckett will have to happen before it is all said and done.
(47) Ashton Youboty, CB. Ohio State
The Falcons desire a better starter alongside Deangelo Hall. Hall is so good in coverage that this is not a gigantic issue, but if a guy like Kelly Jennings fell into the Falcons laps, they would never be able to pass on him. Jennings is a competently-sized corner at 5'11" with enormous upside. His 4.39 speed and fliud hips allow him to cover most #1's in the NFL. He needs to bulk up and get stronger, but there is certianly potential for Jennings and Hall choking off opponent's passing attacks single-handedly. This second round pick would present good value. Jennings is an elite coverage-style corner; there is no doubting that.
(79) Maurice Drew, RB. UCLA
TJ Duckett can not carry the load all by himself. Sticking with the "Thunder and Lightening" scheme that has worked so well for the Falcons, Maurice Drew is the ideal option among day-one running backs. Drew is vastly undersized at 5'7"/207. He makes up for his lack of size with top-flight quickness and agility. His 4.39 speed suggests that will be able to break away from the pack in the NFL much as he did often at UCLA. He will not break many tackles, and he is lacking ability as a pass protector; but, in situational roles, Maurice Drew could make a dangerous running back. He also presents added value as a return man.
(93) Ray Edwards, DE. Purdue
Even with John Abraham and Patrick Kerney, Ray Edwards would be an excellent selection come draft day. The team needs depth to keep fresh legs on the field, and Edwards could offer that from day one. His 6'5"/273 frame is NFL ready. He is very athletic and can make plays in the backfield both as a pass rusher and against the run. Edwards was largely inconsistent during his college career at Purdue, but he showed flashes of brilliance. Should his upside come to fruition, the Falcons' will have the best trio of defensive ends in the NFL by a substantial margin. However, during the early years, Edwards will only be needed for 10-20 plays per game. He is the perfect guy for this kind of role.
(*) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
Needing to grab the best available defensive back in the second round, the Falcons would find a steal in Danial Bullocks. Having traded away Bryan Scott to acquire Wayne Gandy, safety is a more pressing need than corner, and Bullocks is just who Falcons' fans would love to have. Daniel Bullocks of Nebraska is a better prospect than his brother, Josh, was a year ago. Josh went in the early second round to the Saints and proceeded to start every game. Daniel has excellent size at 6'1"/212. His 4.38 speed is elite among safeties. He has excellent mobility and range. He is relatively poor in man coverage, making him an ideal candidate for a centerfielder. He is simply the fast, rangy style of defensive back that the Falcons adore.
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
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(47) Kelly Jennings, CB. Miami
(79) Maurice Drew, RB. UCLA
(93) Ray Edwards, DE. Purdue
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Having Pro Bowler Patrick Kerney on one side of the line and having traded away the #15 overall pick to acquire fellow Pro Bowler John Abraham, one might think it foolish for defensive end to be a day one need for the Falcons. Truth is, the best defenses in the league all have depth at the position, and the Falcons have none. A big, physical end wuold make sense for the Falcons. However, the primary need for the defense lies in the secondary. Whether corner or safety, finding the biggest difference-maker in the middle of round two will be necessary for the franchinse to have a successful draft. On the offensive side of the ball, the trade to acquire Wayne Gandy solved the hole at left tackle left by Kevin Shaffer for at least another year. The interior line could still use depth and a potential starter. Grabbing a guard or center is a legitimate option on day one. Lastly, with the loss of Warrick Dunn, finding a back to supplement TJ Duckett will have to happen before it is all said and done.
Kelly Jennings would be an ideal running mate
opposite Deangelo Hall in the defensive backfield
(47) Ashton Youboty, CB. Ohio State
The Falcons desire a better starter alongside Deangelo Hall. Hall is so good in coverage that this is not a gigantic issue, but if a guy like Kelly Jennings fell into the Falcons laps, they would never be able to pass on him. Jennings is a competently-sized corner at 5'11" with enormous upside. His 4.39 speed and fliud hips allow him to cover most #1's in the NFL. He needs to bulk up and get stronger, but there is certianly potential for Jennings and Hall choking off opponent's passing attacks single-handedly. This second round pick would present good value. Jennings is an elite coverage-style corner; there is no doubting that.
Maurice Drew would add depth at running back
and compliment power runner, TJ Duckett
(79) Maurice Drew, RB. UCLA
TJ Duckett can not carry the load all by himself. Sticking with the "Thunder and Lightening" scheme that has worked so well for the Falcons, Maurice Drew is the ideal option among day-one running backs. Drew is vastly undersized at 5'7"/207. He makes up for his lack of size with top-flight quickness and agility. His 4.39 speed suggests that will be able to break away from the pack in the NFL much as he did often at UCLA. He will not break many tackles, and he is lacking ability as a pass protector; but, in situational roles, Maurice Drew could make a dangerous running back. He also presents added value as a return man.
(93) Ray Edwards, DE. Purdue
Even with John Abraham and Patrick Kerney, Ray Edwards would be an excellent selection come draft day. The team needs depth to keep fresh legs on the field, and Edwards could offer that from day one. His 6'5"/273 frame is NFL ready. He is very athletic and can make plays in the backfield both as a pass rusher and against the run. Edwards was largely inconsistent during his college career at Purdue, but he showed flashes of brilliance. Should his upside come to fruition, the Falcons' will have the best trio of defensive ends in the NFL by a substantial margin. However, during the early years, Edwards will only be needed for 10-20 plays per game. He is the perfect guy for this kind of role.
Bullocks physical play has A-T-L written all over it
(*) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
Needing to grab the best available defensive back in the second round, the Falcons would find a steal in Danial Bullocks. Having traded away Bryan Scott to acquire Wayne Gandy, safety is a more pressing need than corner, and Bullocks is just who Falcons' fans would love to have. Daniel Bullocks of Nebraska is a better prospect than his brother, Josh, was a year ago. Josh went in the early second round to the Saints and proceeded to start every game. Daniel has excellent size at 6'1"/212. His 4.38 speed is elite among safeties. He has excellent mobility and range. He is relatively poor in man coverage, making him an ideal candidate for a centerfielder. He is simply the fast, rangy style of defensive back that the Falcons adore.