NFL Draft - Who do you want to draft?

[mattlanta]

In the first round I'd like Larry English or Louis Delmas. I also wouldn't mind Brandon Pettigrew.

In the second round... if we don't go with a safety I hope William Moore falls to us but if not, I'm hopeful that Chung will be there in the second.

Guys I don't really want include.. Michael Johnson who's a bust waiting to be selected... Rey Rey from USC is too slow and we don't need another ILB... and Matthews (I'm only against drafting him in the first because I don't think he's a first round player... he's a third round LB IMO)

[coachx]

DT:

1st Round - Hood, Jerry (I prefer to get Brace in the 2nd as a true run stuffer)

2nd Round -Brace, Moala

CB:

1st round - Butler, Davis, Smith

2nd round - Allen

FS:

1st Round - Delmas, Jenkins (I like him at FS more then CB)

SS:

2nd round - Moore, Chung

LB:

1st round - Cushing, Matthews

2nd round - Freeman, Sintim (I see him fitting in a 3-4 better as a LB and in a 4-3 I see him as a DE)

3rd round - Ellerbee, Maiava, Casillias

DE

1st: English / Maybin - In a 4'3 I see these guys as DEs. In a 3-4 they are big OLB. They could be pass rush specialist in a 3-4 but not every down guys who can play pass coverage as a OLB.

TE:

1st - Pettigrew

2nd - Cook

3rd -4th - Nelson, Casey, Coffman, Gronkowski, Ingram(I would rate Ingram higher if he were not the most injury prone player at the TE position)

5th - Beckum

I would prefer to wait until rounds 3 - 5 to get a TE. In rounds 1-2 I would like to see us snag a DT, S, CB, or LB. Trading down to get more picks is ideal to me.

Edited April 6, 2009 by coachx

[Hawk88]

DT:

1st Round - Hood, Jerry (I prefer to get Brace in the 2nd as a true run stuffer)

2nd Round -Brace, Moala

CB:

1st round - Butler, Davis, Smith

2nd round - Allen

FS:

1st Round - Delmas, Jenkins (I like him at FS more then CB)

SS:

2nd round - Moore, Chung

LB:

1st round - Cushing, Matthews

2nd round - Freeman, Sintim (I see him fitting in a 3-4 better as a LB and in a 4-3 I see him as a DE)

3rd round - Ellerbee, Maiava, Casillias

DE

1st: English / Maybin - In a 4'3 I see these guys as DEs. In a 3-4 they are big OLB. They could be pass rush specialist in a 3-4 but not every down guys who can play pass coverage as a OLB.

TE:

1st - Pettigrew

2nd - Cook

3rd -4th - Nelson, Casey, Coffman, Gronkowski, Ingram(I would rate Ingram higher if he were not the most injury prone player at the TE position)

5th - Beckum

I would prefer to wait until rounds 3 - 5 to get a TE. In rounds 1-2 I would like to see us snag a DT, S, CB, or LB. Trading down to get more picks is ideal to me.

Is it just me or does there not seem to be a ton of very good players in the 2nd and 3rd rounds? Love the Pats philosphy of loading up on those 2nd rounders. All those players can really help us. I would like to see up drop back 10 or so spaces and pic up another pic. The differnece between 24 and 34 just doesn't seem like a whole lot. But then everyone might be trying to do the same thing.

Hawk88

[coachx]

Is it just me or does there not seem to be a ton of very good players in the 2nd and 3rd rounds? Love the Pats philosphy of loading up on those 2nd rounders. All those players can really help us. I would like to see up drop back 10 or so spaces and pic up another pic. The differnece between 24 and 34 just doesn't seem like a whole lot. But then everyone might be trying to do the same thing.

Hawk88

We may luck out and find a team who is in depserate need of a starting T (like we were last year when we traded up to #21). Out side of that, I doubt it happens unless the pics we get in trade are future 2010 picks. I would gladly trade #24 for #34 to 38 this year, and a 2nd round pick next year.

Edited April 6, 2009 by coachx

[Chris18]

I want Michael Johnson.

[Hawk88]

In the first round I'd like Larry English or Louis Delmas. I also wouldn't mind Brandon Pettigrew.

In the second round... if we don't go with a safety I hope William Moore falls to us but if not, I'm hopeful that Chung will be there in the second.

Guys I don't really want include.. Michael Johnson who's a bust waiting to be selected... Rey Rey from USC is too slow and we don't need another ILB... and Matthews (I'm only against drafting him in the first because I don't think he's a first round player... he's a third round LB IMO)

Looks like we are all reading the same mock drafts. I have seen only a few of these guys play and am reading the hype like the rest of them. Michael Jonson, I wish I could short the guy like a stock, he is way to lanky to play. He might be a good field goal block specialist as a 7th rounder.

For the fun of it I went back and checked out the Patriots draft history to see if I could get a flavor for what type of player they liked thinking Dimitrov would be thinking along the same lines. Nothing really stood out to me except for the fact that as successful as they have been the draft is an incredible crapshoot. So many patriots draft prospects that I have never heard of. Then I checked out the falcons players and the amazing numbers of draft busts.

I am just amazed at what a crapshoot the draft is and how much I love tracking it.

My pics for Falcons not just on need but value

Round 1 - Unger, Center Oregan (All-Pro, beef up the OL) Pettigrew makes Ryan better.

Round 2 - Maola (Solid contributor) Marks w/ Auburn is very good with some injury concerns.

Round 3- Casey, TE Rice - If gone god D maybe Asher Allen or best DB available

Round 4 -Kevin Barnes CB, Maryland

Round 5 -Casillas OLB Wisconsin or Zack Follet OLB California

Round 5 - Jerraud Powers DB Auburn

Round 6 -I have not idea, who am I kidding at this point

If the 1st pick is offense it makes Ryan a whole lot better even though we need the defensive help.

Hawk88

[Hawk88]

DT:

1st Round - Hood, Jerry (I prefer to get Brace in the 2nd as a true run stuffer)

2nd Round -Brace, Moala

CB:

1st round - Butler, Davis, Smith

2nd round - Allen

FS:

1st Round - Delmas, Jenkins (I like him at FS more then CB)

SS:

2nd round - Moore, Chung

LB:

1st round - Cushing, Matthews

2nd round - Freeman, Sintim (I see him fitting in a 3-4 better as a LB and in a 4-3 I see him as a DE)

3rd round - Ellerbee, Maiava, Casillias

DE

1st: English / Maybin - In a 4'3 I see these guys as DEs. In a 3-4 they are big OLB. They could be pass rush specialist in a 3-4 but not every down guys who can play pass coverage as a OLB.

TE:

1st - Pettigrew

2nd - Cook

3rd -4th - Nelson, Casey, Coffman, Gronkowski, Ingram(I would rate Ingram higher if he were not the most injury prone player at the TE position)

5th - Beckum

I would prefer to wait until rounds 3 - 5 to get a TE. In rounds 1-2 I would like to see us snag a DT, S, CB, or LB. Trading down to get more picks is ideal to me.

We all talk about defense but this team really needs some more O line help. Very very thin at that position.

Hawk88

[Hawk88]

Looks like we are all reading the same mock drafts. I have seen only a few of these guys play and am reading the hype like the rest of them. Michael Jonson, I wish I could short the guy like a stock, he is way to lanky to play. He might be a good field goal block specialist as a 7th rounder.

For the fun of it I went back and checked out the Patriots draft history to see if I could get a flavor for what type of player they liked thinking Dimitrov would be thinking along the same lines. Nothing really stood out to me except for the fact that as successful as they have been the draft is an incredible crapshoot. So many patriots draft prospects that I have never heard of. Then I checked out the falcons players and the amazing numbers of draft busts.

I am just amazed at what a crapshoot the draft is and how much I love tracking it.

My pics for Falcons not just on need but value

Round 1 - Unger, Center Oregan (All-Pro, beef up the OL) Pettigrew makes Ryan better.

Round 2 - Maola (Solid contributor) Marks w/ Auburn is very good with some injury concerns.

Round 3- Casey, TE Rice - If gone god D maybe Asher Allen or best DB available

Round 4 -Kevin Barnes CB, Maryland

Round 5 -Casillas OLB Wisconsin or Zack Follet OLB California

Round 5 - Jerraud Powers DB Auburn

Round 6 -I have not idea, who am I kidding at this point

If the 1st pick is offense it makes Ryan a whole lot better even though we need the defensive help.

Hawk88

Sorry Alex Mack is the stud Center not Unger.

[frosgrim]

Sorry Alex Mack is the stud Center not Unger.

Agreed, Mack is going to be a really good center. Dude is strong, agile, and plays through the whistle. What he did to a very good pair of UT DTs is an indication of what the kid can do in the NFL.

I wouldn't mind Mack at 24 (if that is where the Falcons stay, and I don't think they will stay at 24).

[coachx]

We signed a center from the Rams in the off season who has starting expierence to backup McClure at C.

B/c of that I doubt we burn a 1st rounder at a position where we are already 2 deep when we are missing proven starters at other spots like TE, S, CB, OLB, and a DT coming off injury in T. Lewis.

The only spot I know of that we are hurting on the O-Line is at backup tackle. I think we are using Wayne Gandy as a safety net here incase we don't get one in the draft.

I saw in a headline where the Lions signed Gandy...............thank goodness it was a different Gandy.

[mattlanta]

I want Michael Johnson.

Fail. You HOMER!!!

We signed a center from the Rams in the off season who has starting expierence to backup McClure at C.

B/c of that I doubt we burn a 1st rounder at a position where we are already 2 deep when we are missing proven starters at other spots like TE, S, CB, OLB, and a DT coming off injury in T. Lewis.

The only spot I know of that we are hurting on the O-Line is at backup tackle. I think we are using Wayne Gandy as a safety net here incase we don't get one in the draft.

I saw in a headline where the Lions signed Gandy...............thank goodness it was a different Gandy.

Aw God, Gandy is a terrible tackle. We signed Svitek. We desperately need more depth at the OT position, that's for sure. I wouldn't mind drafting Pettigrew!

[coachx]

Below is off Realgm. I really like his point of view. I would even like Delmas or Smith at #24........if we could trade down and still get the guy TD wants while adding a pick................ its win - win. Another TE who I am hearing is climbing up mock drafts for teams looking for all around TE's who block is Gronkowski.

: Official "Ask Jeff Risdon a question" thread

by Icness on Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:21 pm

lpsevier wrote:

Any thoughts on who the Falcons are liking now?

All indications point to Dimitroff trying to move down and take either Delmas or Alphonso Smith a few spots later than where they sit now. And I bet they get a taker.

I heard they spent an inordinate amount of attention on James Casey, the TE from Rice. In that offense they need a more all-around TE than just a receiver-type so that makes sense.

I really don't see them addressing the DE spot early unless someone falls to them. They are happy with their starters even though Anderson can't rush the passer.NFL Draft scoop, Jay Cutler, FA winners, and Coheed and Cambria's awesomeness:

http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_wiret ... _of_march/

Yes, I am that guy...

Icness

NFL Analyst

Posts: 10458

Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2001 7:00 pm

Location: Breaking it down

Edited April 9, 2009 by coachx

[frosgrim]

Below is off Realgm. I really like his point of view. I would even like Delmas or Smith at #24........if we could trade down and still get the guy TD wants while adding a pick................ its win - win. Another TE who I am hearing is climbing up mock drafts for teams looking for all around TE's who block is Gronkowski.

: Official "Ask Jeff Risdon a question" thread

by Icness on Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:21 pm

lpsevier wrote:

Any thoughts on who the Falcons are liking now?

All indications point to Dimitroff trying to move down and take either Delmas or Alphonso Smith a few spots later than where they sit now. And I bet they get a taker.

I heard they spent an inordinate amount of attention on James Casey, the TE from Rice. In that offense they need a more all-around TE than just a receiver-type so that makes sense.

I really don't see them addressing the DE spot early unless someone falls to them. They are happy with their starters even though Anderson can't rush the passer.NFL Draft scoop, Jay Cutler, FA winners, and Coheed and Cambria's awesomeness:

http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_wiret ... _of_march/

Yes, I am that guy...

Icness

NFL Analyst

Posts: 10458

Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2001 7:00 pm

Location: Breaking it down

I can't see the rationele for picking up a CB when there is no pass rush right now. I can see where Delmas might make sense, but he's undersized, and has questionable coverage ability.

In terms of the center position. McClure is more than expandible. He's a liability. The FA cetner is nothing of note. Mack looks like the real deal, while understanding its hard to project what a guy will do in the NFL from college.

My point is that, center is an area of need. Its not nearly as pressing as DL and OLB, but it will have to be taken care of at some point. So, if Mack is there AND TD has him graded higher than others, I can see where Mack would be selected. Not saying that it will happen, but I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if it did happen.

[coachx]

You make a good point for C. Below are my thoughts.

I see DE and C being our major needs for the 2010 draft with other positions needing a fix first in the 2009 draft. We should get another good year out of Abe and McClure. If we can trade down and get some extra picks, then TD may have the flexibility to take a luxury picklike English or Maybin to be a pass rush specialist and the eventual replacement for Abraham..........or Mack or Unger to be our center of the future in picks 30-40.

I've been on the "draft a corner" boat since day 1 b/c there are no true run stuffing DTs in the first round at #24 and no super elite S unless you consider Jenkins a FS.

Here is my rational for getting a corner.:

1. We have no #1 corner since Foxworth left.

2. Houston has no ball skills. He had to play 1.75 season before he got an interception b/c he never turns around to look for the ball. If he is our #1 corner we are in major trouble.

2. Grimes is not starter material unless its a matchup vs. a 5'8'' guy like Smith, Royal, or D. Jackson. He is a solid nickle or dime back.

3.C. Jackson has ball skills but not the athletic ability to cover #1 recievers. He may be a ball hawking FS one day.

4. We saw the Cardinals torch us in the passing game.

5. We saw Jay Cutler pass on us like our DBs were non existent (I witnessed that game in person) and now he is in the NFC.

6. We will see Drew Brees twice a year. The same guy who broke the NFL record for passing yards last season.

7. TD'S PAST EXPERTISE IS AT DRAFTING DBs. If he sees one he likes I trust him since this was the first area he scouted and was the Patriots DB scouting specialist for a while.

8. Cover 2 defenses suck ! I have seen offensive coordinators quoted as saying "our practice squad QB can move the ball up down the field on a Cover 2." Having a #1 corner will allow us to call more blitzes and get out of that vanilla cover 2 that elite QB's like Cutler, Brees, and Warner touched last year. So having a #1 corner can help you pass rush b/c you now blitz a safety or LB more often rather then making them cover to help you average CBs.

The Falcons had 33 sacks last year. That is more then 2 per game..............so saying we have no pass rush is not really true. (Being a UGA fan, I know what no pass rush looks like as the Dawgs SUCKED in that area last year. ) Abe was responsible for exactly 1/2 of those sacks with 16.5. We do not have a corner that scares anyone. We have Abraham in the QBs head..........now we need to give them a corner to fear as well.

Our OL is so young.........McClure is the vet who makes sure they remember their assignments, especially after audibles. Let these youg guys get one more year of starting under their belt before we throw a rookie C in their with them. (Just my opinion)

Blaylock is has played for 2 years now. He has a year and half as a starter under his belt.

Baker had what ? 6 or 7 starts under his belt at LT

Dahl has 1 season as starter under his belt

Clabo has 1 season as a starter under his belt.

Mix those , realtively inexpierenced, guys in with a rookie center and I think it spells trouble. McClure is a little undersized but he is also the veteran leader of the OL.

If TD was counting on McClure he would have cut him. That is his MO. We know he has no trouble cutting veterans (Brooking, Milloy, Forney, Dunn, Hall, Crumpler). Sine he has not cut McClure yet, that makes me think he plans on getting one more year out of him.

Not trying to say anyone is right or wrong.............I just love talking about the NFL draft. There is so much more to it then the NBA draft since there are so many more positons to draft then 5 in basketball. You have so many different ways to looks at a team's needs and map a course.

Edited April 9, 2009 by coachx

[mattlanta]

I don't see the center being an area of great need right now. We signed Brett Romberg to compete for the starting job, and I think the coaches really like him... our OL coach has been especially high on him which is why he's been convincing the front office guys for each of the teams he's coached for to acquire Romberg.

I think Dimitroff will definitely address a defensive need (DB, DL, LB) with our first round pick unless Brandon Pettigrew or Michael Oher is there for us to pick up, which in that case, will be too much talent for us to pass up IMO.

My list of top wanted players within reach (in order):

TE Brandon Pettgirew

S Louis Delmas

LB James Laurinaitis

S Patrick Chung

CB Vontae Davis

DT Peria Jerry

DT Evander Hood

S William Moore

DE Larry English

CB Darius Butler

LB Brian Cushing

[Hawk88]

I don't see the center being an area of great need right now. We signed Brett Romberg to compete for the starting job, and I think the coaches really like him... our OL coach has been especially high on him which is why he's been convincing the front office guys for each of the teams he's coached for to acquire Romberg.

I think Dimitroff will definitely address a defensive need (DB, DL, LB) with our first round pick unless Brandon Pettigrew or Michael Oher is there for us to pick up, which in that case, will be too much talent for us to pass up IMO.

My list of top wanted players within reach (in order):

TE Brandon Pettgirew

S Louis Delmas

LB James Laurinaitis

S Patrick Chung

CB Vontae Davis

DT Peria Jerry

DT Evander Hood

S William Moore

DE Larry English

CB Darius Butler

LB Brian Cushing

I am starting to think that if we can't trade back from the 24 spot, Pettigrew might be too good to pass up. This guy will really help our tackles hold off the rush. Most of the other tight ends are really big receivers. Pettigrew is practically a lineman who can receive, very old school but to add a good blocker would be a big bonus for the offense. Add another lineman somewhere in the draft and all other pics can go to D.

Hawk88

[coachx]

I am starting to think that if we can't trade back from the 24 spot, Pettigrew might be too good to pass up. This guy will really help our tackles hold off the rush. Most of the other tight ends are really big receivers. Pettigrew is practically a lineman who can receive, very old school but to add a good blocker would be a big bonus for the offense. Add another lineman somewhere in the draft and all other pics can go to D.

Hawk88

Pettigrew would be an excellent pick. What he lacks in speed he makes up for in size and great hands.

Just in case Pettigrew is not the 1st pick there are 2 other guys who will make their money blocking who possibly could be had in the 3rd round:

Quinn / UNC / Mike Mayock say he is the best in line blocker of all the TE's and says that Butch Davis did not incorporate him into he passing game enough at UNC. In recieving drill his hands look very good, according to Mayock.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/563214

Gronkowski / Maryland - I have heard his named mentioned alot lately.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/502707

Of course TD could target a pass catcher like Casey (who they are reportedly high on / great character guy)............we hear tons about the guys who catch passes but the guys who do the dirty work are not talked about as much.

I basically just go by what Mayock preaches. He has proven, over time, to get it right more often then Mel Kiper, Jr. or the little Mel Kiper want to be's ESPN struts out there. Charles Casserly and Mike Davis are pretty on top of it too.

Edited April 10, 2009 by coachx

[coachx]

"Gronkowski's blocking prowess is the byproduct of his incredible strength. The former prep quarterback registered the second-highest strength index on the team in spring 2008 testing. He also boasts a career-best squat of 635 pounds, the second-best figure by a Maryland tight end, topped only by the 685-pound lift from Vernon Davis (49ers). In each of his last four offseasons, the tight end received Iron Terp honors, a recognition for his outstanding performances in the training room.

Having received his master's in Marketing after just three years at Maryland, Gronkowski comes from a sports-oriented family.

As a senior, Gronkowski started 12 games. After catching just 11 passes in his first three seasons, the Terrapin Council member hauled in a career-high 29 passes, good for 287 yards (9.9 avg) and three touchdowns. He also continued his excellence as a blocker, as he registered 66 knockdowns, coming up with 11 touchdown-resulting blocks. "

Interesting little tid-bits to show what this kid is made of, in the weight room, in the class room, and on the field. He got a bachellors and a masters in just 3 years while playing football.

He averaged 5.5 knock down blocks per game ! That is incredible for a TE ! Then throw in 11 touchdown - resulting blocks and it shows how he could sneak into the endzone for an open touchdown since the defense is so used to him blocking people down to the ground and being run behind in the red-zone.

That seems to be the definition of Patriot / Dimitroff kind of guy.

Edited April 10, 2009 by coachx

[coachx]

I am starting to think that if we can't trade back from the 24 spot, Pettigrew might be too good to pass up.

Hawk88

Those were basically Mike Mayock's exact words when the Falcons came up the NFL's Channell / Inside the Draft show.

No one can question his scouting / projection expertise.

Edited April 10, 2009 by coachx

[DrReality]

Gronkowski. Love the name. Sounds like he should play for the Packers. Impressive academics history. Must be pretty bright.

And I think you make a compelling case for the O line getting better. One of the critical things is for them to stay together and learn to play together. They have that going for them.