2011 Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft Needs
The Atlanta Falcons are on the clock with the 27th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at their biggest needs and how those needs might be addressed on draft day.
1. Defensive End: Atlanta doesn’t have a lot of glaring needs but it is in the market for a pass rusher. The Falcons would like to add a 4-3 defensive end who can spell John Abraham while being groomed as his eventual replacement. Abraham is coming off a spectacular season but is 33 and entering year 12. There should still be a couple good options on the board when they pick at No. 27. Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward, Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn, Arizona’s Brooks Reed and Georgia’s Justin Houston are among those options. Not all of these players will be available so the Falcons will look to take the best remaining end on the board here. After punished tackles in the Big Ten, Heyward and Clayborn both have the ability to be starting 4-3 ends at the next level. I think Clayborn is the better player of the two. He plays the run well and can be relentless. Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi called him the best end he’s ever faced. Reed may be better suited as a 3-4 outside linebacker but has the size (6-foot-3, 263 pounds) to put a hand in the dirt in the 4-3. Houston is in the same boat, but also has the size (6-foot-2, 270 pounds) to be a 4-3 end.
2. Tight End: Tony Gonzalez is nearing the end of a Hall of Fame career, which means the Falcons need to think about drafting his replacement. They would do well to land a player like Wisconsin’s Lance Kendricks in the second round. He’s a little smaller than teams ideally want at just under 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds but has above average speed for the position (4.75 40-yard dash).
3. Wide Receiver: Roddy White, who caught 115 passes last season, is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFC, but Atlanta needs to add a solid No. 2 to pair with him. Brian Finneran is nearing the end of the road and Michael Jenkins is more of a third option. Atlanta could bolster its receiving corps by adding Boise State’s Titus Young or Troy’s Jerrel Jernigan in round two. Both have the potential to be good slot receivers like New England Patriot Wes Welker.
4. Cornerback: Because Atlanta doesn’t really have any glaring needs, it could take the best available player approach. With this in mind, the Falcons may not be able to resist if a talented cornerback prospect like Colorado’s Jimmy Smith fell into their lap at the end of the first round. If Smith isn’t available or Atlanta chooses to go in a different direction in the first, they could still get a player like North Carolina’s Kendric Burney in the third.
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