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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Atlanta Falcons
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/21/09
Picks (7): 24, 55, 90, 125, 138, 143, 176
Linebacker (outside) – The
signing of Mike Peterson, who to put it mildly fell out of favor in
Jacksonville, was the least they could do at the position. Peterson
turns 33 in June. His career peaked in 2005 and presumably he will be
counted on for experience in the wake of losing mainstay Keith
Brooking. The unit also watched speedy free agent Michael Boley sign
with the Giants. Behind closed doors, even as popular as Brooking was
I’m not sure the team is losing sleep with either departure.
Nevertheless, an outside linebacker on both sides of stud Curtis Lofton
has to be viewed as a high priority in the draft.
Tight End – In the Michael Vick years some people tried to cite
the team’s lack of star wide receivers as the reason his passing
numbers were poor. Breakout star rookie Matt Ryan has proven how
ludicrous that assertion was. Now there is a slightly different
challenge. Even as Ryan led this team to 11 wins and a playoff berth
their trio of tight ends combined to catch just 19 passes. According to
guys who track these things only 7% of their passes on the season were
intended for a tight end. Alge Crumpler where are you? Their 2001 draft
pick amassed over 4,000 yards receiving in seven seasons before exiting
prior to this past season. Let’s be nice and say Ben Hartsock did not
exactly fill that void with three receptions. This is now a glaring
deficiency in an offense with a lead rusher, confident quarterback and
#1 receiver. Even without any production at the position their offense
was #6 in yards per game, but the lower ranking in scoring (#10) is an
indicator of being unable to cash in touchdowns. A receiving tight end
would help the cause.
Defensive Tackle – The Raiders drafted Grady Jackson way back
in 1997 and Detroit will be the sixth NFL team he suits up for. He’s
well traveled and closer to 40 than 30. Still, his presence will be
missed on the Falcons. Their run defense struggled in 2008 even with
him back in the fold after spending half the 2007 season with the
Jaguars. The $64,000 question is how effective Trey Lewis, a 2007 sixth
round pick, can be after missing 2008 completely with knee surgery.
Jason Jefferson has been signed for another season to take up space on
the depth chart, but honestly Jonathan Babineaux is the only integral
piece at the position. This is clearly a problem and could be addressed
early considering the stiffest competition in the NFC South comes from
a Carolina team with two effective running backs.
Offensive Line – One of the surprise picks in round 1 of the
2008 draft was USC’s Sam Baker going #21. I was higher on him than most
because he anchored a Trojan line littered with talent. His rookie
season was baby steps and now he dives into the deep end of the pool
because tackle Todd Weiner has retired. Now Baker has to hold down the
crucial left tackle spot. Tenders were made to restricted free agents
Tyson Clabo (tackle) and Harvey Dahl (guard) to hold down the right
side. At center Todd McClure is now backed up by free agent signing
Brett Romberg (Rams). However, in a draft rich with centers look for
them to make a move. Depth at tackle needs to be considered late in the
proceedings. In 2008 the Falcons had the good fortune of keeping their
line healthy. Other needs are more pressing, but now that the franchise
quarterback is in place there should be a priority placed on protecting
him.
Defensive Back – At strong safety Lawyer Milloy’s leadership
and production will be missed. The man has over 1,300 career tackles in
202 regular season games played. Father Time has caught up and last
year’s third round pick Thomas DeCoud (Cal) will be given every
opportunity to fill his spot. A little bit of insurance makes sense in
the latter portion of the draft. At cornerback Domonique Foxworth is
gone after just one season with the team. Chris Houston, Chevis
Jackson, Glenn Sharpe and David Irons are the youngsters trying to
solidify the position going forward. More than anything the unit lacks
experience and leadership which obviously cannot be obtained in the
draft. It is possible the team parts with a draft pick to obtain an
established player in the secondary.
Defensive End – Maybe right now Jamaal Anderson is just happy
he is not Jamal Anderson. That bad joke aside, the former #8 overall
pick has exactly two sacks in 31 appearances. They came in consecutive
games during October 2008. Let me remind the casual fan that this
production comes on the opposite end of the line from sack master John
Abraham. If Anderson is unable to thrive while offensive lines focus on
Abraham what does that say about his ability? The team smartly locked
up Chauncey Davis (4 years) which to me sends a signal Anderson is not
seen as a future force. Another signal will be when they spend a late
draft pick trying to gather more talent and perhaps a gem capable of
starting. This defense is being rebuilt.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
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