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Atlanta Falcons: 5 wide receivers to consider drafting

By John Buhler

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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Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) tries to elude Baylor Bears safety Terrell Burt (13) at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) tries to elude Baylor Bears safety Terrell Burt (13) at McLane Stadium. The Sooners defeat the Bears 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

While the Atlanta Falcons could go after a wide receiver with their second round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, it would make better sense to go either with a center or another defensive front seven player with the selection. If there is a player that the Atlanta Falcons should target with their mid-third round pick, it is wide receiver Sterling Shepard of the Oklahoma Sooners.

Shepard played all four years collegiately at Norman for Bob Stoops. He really came into his own as the primary target of quarterback Baker Mayfield in new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley’s Air Rad offense of the Sooners. Shepard had his best season as a senior with 86 catches for 1,288 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 2015.

Scouts believe that Shepard’s greatest strength at the next level is his uncanny ability to get open with his electrifying footwork. Adding in reliable hands and he’ll be very difficult for defenses to cover him in the NFL.

His biggest criticism is obviously his size. Sterling Shepard is only 5’10”, 194 pounds and he is quicker than he is fast. While he did display a great deal of mental toughness at Oklahoma, will he bring that mentality with him to the NFL?

Next: Jordan Jenkins: A solid fit for the Atlanta Falcons?

Is Sterling Shepard the most dynamic wide receiver prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft? No, but for a third round pick, he seems lie the one wideout that the Atlanta Falcons could target that will provide the most bang for the buck with that draft selection. If general manager Thomas Dimitroff wants to hit on all five of his draft picks, going with Sterling Shepard in the third round to satisfy the need for wide receiver makes good sense.

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