2014 NFL Draft: the ideal scenario for the Atlanta Falcons

Aug 24, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; An Atlanta Falcons helmet showing the Heads Up logo sitting on the field prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

It’s finally here, the 2014 NFL Draft and the Atlanta Falcons are poised to have a big one. With 10 picks and the No. 5 value according to Grantland, Thomas Dimitroff and all involved in the selection process should be salivating at the opportunity this class gives them to improve their team.

As we wait for the draft to start tonight at 8:00 p.m. ATL All Day is going to be giving you updates, rumors and information on everything regarding the Falcons and their potential picks. However, to start the day off, we figured it would be fun for the editors (Brad Rowland and Carlos Collazo) to give you our “ideal scenarios” for the Falcons in this one.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, it’s probably best to check back over Atlanta’s needs heading into the draft:

• Pass rush
• Offensive Line
• Safety
• Tight End
• More pass rush

It’s debatable as to what the No. 1 “biggest need” is for the Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan got sacked a ton last year and the Falcons’ run game was essentially non-existent, but their run defense and pass rush was also pretty poor and the Jadeveon Clowney rumors only serve to make people think the pass rush is in fact the bigger need. Regardless, these two areas are clearly the most important at the moment with safety coming in at third. At the moment, the Falcons have just three safeties on the roster after releasing Thomas DeCoud during the offseason.

With the No. 6 pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select…

Brad:

"Realistically? This should be the best offensive tackle available. If Auburn’s Greg Robinson is (miraculously) there, he’s the pick. If Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews is there, he’s the pick. If they’re both gone, Michigan’s Taylor Lewan jumps to the forefront.With the exception of a scenario where Jadeveon Clowney is available, the Falcons desperately need help at the offensive tackle spot, and staying at six allows them to accurately account for that. Atlanta is set with Sam Baker at either spot for next season, but right tackle was a revolving door in 2013, and that simply can’t be the case when Matt Ryan isn’t exactly the most mobile of quarterbacks.In all honesty, a pass-rusher would be a slightly higher priority, but because there isn’t a pure defensive end (aside from Clowney) that is worthy of a top-10 pick, it’s gotta be a tackle."

Carlos:

"Jake Matthews.I’ve liked Matthews since just about day one and have been pretty vocal (for a baseball guy) about it. For me, Matthews is one of the most sure bets in this draft and will immediately be able to step into the left tackle position and help out Matt Ryan and the running backs.Some have argued that Sam Baker should be given another shot next year… and I agree. But, let’s move him over to right tackle and hope that he turns into a decent player there. If that happens, then the Falcons start to have a pretty solid O-line.I know it’s not the sexiest pick–especially with the defensive players in this draft–but the offensive line is hugely important for success and the Atlanta Falcons need a ton of help in this area."

Now what?

Brad:

"Unless Clowney falls into Atlanta’s lap or they get aggressive with someone like Khalil Mack, the Falcons will need a pass-rusher as soon as possible. Players like Georgia Tech DE Jeremiah Attaochu or Auburn DE Dee Ford will potentially be available in the second round, and it would be a surprise if Dimitroff wasn’t targeting a pure pass rusher in the first three picks.Safety and tight end are additional areas of need, and aside from the both the offensive and defensive lines, they are the only spots where players could make an immediate impact. There is a school of thought that the Falcons could target a developmental quarterback in the mid-to-late rounds as well, and if there is a big wide receiver with some upside, that could be a possibility as well."

Carlos:

"After selecting Matthews with the first pick, the Falcons should make sure to use their next few picks to focus on the best defensive end they can get. Guys like Dee Ford, Demarcus Lawrence and Kony Ealy are all projected as first or second rounders, and one of the three might be worth trading up to get.This is where I’d like Dimitroff to use his picks. Not to trade their No. 6 pick, but to make sure they get higher quality guys at the positions they need when the “locks” are coming off of the board. Trading up to get one of the top-ranked defensive ends not named Jadeveon Clowney would be a solid move in my eye.After that, I’d like the Falcons to either draft another end for the sake of depth, an outside linebacker or a safety. It’s pretty tough to project actual players for the third pick, but here are a few names I think would be nice to hear with the Falcons’ 68th pick (if it hasn’t been traded of course). At DE Marcus Smith, Kareem Martin or Trent Murphy would all be solid options; at OLB Jeramiah Attaochu or Telvin Smith could fit; at safety Terrence Brooks is probably the only guy I’d like to see the Falcons grab (again, assuming we’re dealing with the 68th pick).Depending on who gets picked up, the next pick should go towards the position that was left out. Basically, after the Falcons fourth selection they shouldn’t have a huge need for a safety or a DE/OLB. After this, the Atlanta Falcons should focus on grabbing another tight end and shoring up depth on both lines and the defensive interior.If everything goes as planned above, it should be a succesful draft for Dimitroff and company."