Atlanta Falcons: Potential Draft Day Targets
With The NFL Draft coming on April 27th, what can the Atlanta Falcons do to help solidify this roster?
Don’t look now but this years draft is just 40 days away and counting. At pick number 31, Thomas Dimitroff and the Atlanta Falcons are looking for an impact player who can help right away. However, after signing Dontari Poe to a one year/8 million dollar deal to shore up the D-line, where else could Atlanta look?
Cam Robinson, Offensive Line, Alabama.
Surprisingly, it’s looking more and more like Robinson could potentially fall into the Falcons lap at number 31. Robinson is an ultra-talented lineman who’s blocked some of the best rushers playing in the SEC. Scouts Incorporated does not rank Robinson in their top 32 and his stock has fallen mainly because of potential pass protecting issues and average combine numbers. However, his game resume is impressive and I believe he can be an effective guard immediately and improve the Falcon offensive line. I hate reading into combine numbers as game tape in my opinion is better analysis of an overall player. Cam Robinson is a winner and a talented player that the Falcons would be hard-pressed to pass up if still available at number 31.
T.J Watt, Linebacker, Wisconsin.
T.J, the brother of J.J is an intriguing option. He only started one year for the Badgers but he has good upside. T.J is tall and athletic for the linebacker position so a move to edge rusher is possible. With the 350 pound Poe in the middle, Atlanta can afford to be slightly smaller in exchange for speed on the outside. I believe Watt will be available at 31 and could have the upside on defense that the Falcons are looking for.
Jordan Willis, Defensive End, Kansas State.
With the Atlanta Falcons still trying to improve the pass rush, Willis could be an option here. He has the speed to play alongside Vic Beasley and good enough hands to set the edge outside. Jordan Willis is also a safe bet to be available at pick number 31. If the Falcons don’t trade up Willis could be the best pass rusher available in this draft class.
Thoughts?
Watching tape on players like Derek Barnett and Taco Charlton is exciting to say the least. Both strike me as immediate impact edge rushers that would likely be gone by 31 at this point. Atlanta is high on both players and Thomas Dimitroff is a GM not afraid to trade up. As far as the O-Line goes this years draft class is very thin so immediate talent could very well be gone by pick 31.
The Falcons are still waiting on whether Chris Chester will continue playing so he is still an option to return. Finally, with the Falcons working out a couple FCS stars in Derek Rivers and Tanoh Kpassagnon, Dan Quinn has plenty of options throughout the draft. I wouldn’t be surprised with any number of names or moves that come out of the Atlanta Falcons 2017 draft class. That’s the fun of the NFL offseason.