Atlanta Falcons: 5 wide receivers to consider drafting

November 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 28, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Fuller grew up a huge Atlanta Falcons fan even though he is a Philadelphia native. It probably had to do with Atlanta Falcons franchise quarterback Matt Ryan being a Philadelphia native as well. Fuller has a second round grade from his time with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and he’s probably the one guy the Falcons would use a second round pick on at wide receiver in this draft.

Fuller had two great sophomore and junior seasons with the Fighting Irish in South Bend in 2014-15. He finished his Notre Dame career with 144 receptions for 2,512 receiving yards and 30 touchdown catches. Fuller projects as a wideout capable of accumulating 1,000 receiving yards annually at the next level.

Scouts think that he has the breakaway speed necessary to stretch the field as a vertical threat at the next level. He’s slight of build at 6’0″, 186 pounds, but that’s okay since he doesn’t project as a middle-of-the-field possession receiver any way. Fuller will shine on the outside, using his elusiveness to beat single cornerbacks in man and press coverage.

With Julio Jones being able to show in his 2015 All-Pro season that he can do it all in the receiving game, wouldn’t it serve the Atlanta Falcons to bring in another guy that can stretch the field to complement Jones’ greatly improved possession receiving game. Having two guys that can go deep will really stretch out opposing defenses, allowing wide receivers to get open easier in Shanahan’s West Coast aerial attack. Using a second round pick on Will Fuller out of Notre Dame makes sense if the Atlanta Falcons wish to go wide receiver with that selection in this spring’s draft.

Next: 1. Sterling Shepard