What do you want the Falcons to do in Rounds 2 and 3 ?

[coachx]

What do you want the Falcons to do in Rounds 2 and 3 ? I know picks #55 and #84 are tough to project but lets give it a try.

Now that Atlanta has obtained Samuels it subtracts CB as a need.

I'm not expecting Atlanta to be able to get a legit pass rusher or LT at pick #55 or #84. However, I do believe they can fill other needs:

1.) Falcons need a more physical interior lineman.

Entering last season the plan was for 2009 6th round pick Reynolds (345 lbs) and 2010 3rd pick M. Johnson (315 lbs) to compete for the starting RG, to replace Harvey Dahl. M. Johnson can't stay healthy and Reynolds plays like his feet are in cement (no pass blocking skills).

This forced Atlanta to play Joe Hawley as an undersized RG. He was drafted as a 297 lb center who would be groomed to replace McClure. Playing Hawley and McClure together gave us 2 interior lineman under 300 pounds. This lack of interior bulk is the reason why Atlanta got stopped on multiple 4th and 1 attempts. A more physical RG and/ or center fixes this.

Atlanta should be able to get the 3rd or 4th best Guard in the draft at pick #55 or the 2nd or 3rd best center. They should also be able to get a RG upgrade at pick #84. I like Ben Jones, Amini Silatolu, Kelechi Osemele, and Brandon Brooks. At pick #84 I like Brandon Washington.

2.) 3-4 friendly players for Mike Nolan's system. Primarily a space eating NTs over 320 lbs. I think some of our undersized 4-3 DEs will be more productive as 3-4 OLB (Biermann, Sidbury). Brandon Thompson (Clemson) is a possibility at #55 and Josh Chapman (Alabama) is a possibility at #84 due to the amount of time Dimitroff has reportedly spent scouting him.

3.) TE - It would be great to allow a raw TE to train and learn from Tony Gonzalez for a year......but that is more of a luxury then an immediate need. If Dwayne Allen is sitting there at #55 he will be hard for Atlanta to pass on. Orson Charles may slip to #84 (due to his recent DUI). Charles would be hard to pass on at #84.

Before going any further........the guys below, in points 4 & 5, will probably not be available since they play the most sought after positions in the NFL.

4. Its difficcult to get a good pass rusher at 55. If one of these guys are still on the board they could be a Falcon: Bruce Irvin, Andre Branch, Vinny Curry. All 3 look like Proto-type 3-4 edge rushers.

For pick #84 I love Cam Johnson !

5.) LT - The hardest position in the NFL to fill other then QB is LT. If Mitchell Schwartz is till on the board at #55, Thomas Dimitroff will have an easy decision. He may even trade up a few spots to get him. TD has reportedly spent more time on him then any other player..........but LT are always taken too early.

In the 5th, 6th, and 7th round (compensatory pick) I see Atlanta looking for a QB to compete with Redman for 2nd string QB..... and also look for Safety and LB depth who can play on special teams. A kick return specialist is also a strong possibility.

Edited April 26, 2012 by coachx

[AHF]

I seem to always be about upgrading our lines and am again this season - on both sides of the ball. It is hard to be good if you lose the battles in the trenches.

[jy23]

I agree with ahf....upgrade the trenches at all costs.