Shortly after selecting Clemson OLB Vic Beasley with their eighth overall pick, Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and new HC Dan Quinn met with the media to discuss their draft pick.
Dan Quinn continued to stress his priorities of speed and athleticism in his Falcons defense. He believes that Beasley fits nicely into both their LEO and SAM linebacker roles. Quinn added that his favorite aspect of Beasley’s game was the quickness in his first step.
“When pass rush is at its best, it’s when four of five guys are all working together.” – Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn
Thomas Dimitroff was “focused on Vic from the very beginning” (2:40). While there was dialogue between Dimitroff and Quinn about possibly moving up the board if there was a run in pass rushers, Dimitroff was glad that Vic Beasley fell to the Falcons at eight.
Neither Dimitroff or Quinn had much to say on not taking UGA’s Todd Gurley instead of Vic Beasley. Dimitroff stated, “our focus was on defense” (6:23).
Quinn likes what he sees out of the young Clemson product. He believes that the Tigers’ track record for producing top NFL pass rushing talent is excellent and that Beasley adds to that legacy. Coach Quinn also feels that Beasley’s ability to use his hands effectively already puts him ahead of the curve of so many pass rushers, despite coming to Clemson as a TE prospect out of high school.
Both Quinn and Dimitroff are happy that Vic Beasley can play in front of his friends and family with great regularity as he is a native of Adairsville, Georgia.
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I get the sense that this was an easy decision for the Atlanta front office to make in selecting Vic Beasley out of Clemson eighth overall. Like the Jake Matthews selection last year, I believe that Atlanta wanted Beasley from day one. By circulating rumors that Quinn wanted Dante Fowler, Jr., Atlanta sat pretty knowing their guy was going to fall to them at eight. Once Washington drafted OT Brandon Scherff out of Iowa, I knew that Vic Beasley was going to become an Atlanta Falcon.
My other big takeaway from this press conference was that both GM and HC looked eager to get back to work. Rounds two through seven’s selections don’t seem as clear-cut for Atlanta as it was in round one. While I do believe that Dimitroff and Quinn are on the same page with their defensive selections this year, I get the feeling that their decisions on offensive playmakers aren’t as obvious. Dimitroff may want guys that stretch the field vertically, where Quinn may want shiftiness in the back field.
How the Falcons draft offensively today and tomorrow will go a long way in helping or hurting new OC Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme. Day Two of the NFL Draft continues live from Chicago tonight at 7PM ET.