Falcons Draft, Final Thoughts

other than the fact there were armed cops walking around with machine guns and shotguns on campus this morning (just in case the Psycho Killer UGA Prof who murdered 3 people just a couple of minutes from my house decides to show up to work today) it's been a pretty awesome Monday. the NFL Draft came and went and now it's time to bitch and moan and scream for joy at your favorite team's moves..


my thoughts about each of the Falcons draft picks and then some lists of players i felt like they shouldn't have passed on.


1st Rd. Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss. = AWESOME!!!!

2nd Rd. William Moore, S Missouri. = AWESOME!!!

obviously i am super excited about both of these players because they were the top 2 guys i had on my Friday wishlist/projection. and anytime i am ever right about something then it's gonna make me happy. they filled their 2 most obvious holes and added players who will start next season. i felt like each guy was the best player available at their position going into this draft and it's hard for me to say i would have preferred another player at either spot...but as for rounds 3-7....well i'll just say i am glad we made that move to get Tony Gonzalez.


3rd Rd. Chris Owens, CD San Jose State.

i saw this guy play once ever in some random game on ESPN vs. Nevada and he got torched by the wideout he was covering on 2 straight plays...after that i know nothing about this guy.

ESPN Say:

Here's another example of an undersized corner who can get pushed around at times. Owens, however, is an effective drag-down tackler who can limit receivers' production after the catch. He also has the ball skills to develop into a playmaker.

other players they could've drafted: Jerraud Powers, CB, Auburn. Tyrone McKenzie, LB, South Florida. Kaluka Maiava, OLB, USC. Henry Melton, DE, Texas. DJ Moore, CB, Vanderbilt.

4th Rd. Lawrence Sidbury, DE Richmond.

i saw him play in the Division IAA play offs and he looked like a beast against the lower level competition...but i'm just never going to be a fan of the Falcons drafting guys from small schools, not when the SEC produces the best defensive players in the country and there were plenty of guys available. i don't think this was a bad pick at all...i fact Sidbury will more than likely be a player who sees a lot of time on the field next season at either linebacker or defensive end...especially in pass rushing situations. i wouldn't be surprised if he and Jamaal Anderson don't form a rotation with one another. but still i didn't jump for joy at this pick.

other players they could've drafted: Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss. Tyronne Green, G, Auburn. Terrance Taylor, DT, Michigan.

5th Rd. William Middleton, CB Furman.

another small school player. i honestly know nothing about middleton so i don't have much to say. he could be a gem, he could get cut. the Falcons seem to love collecting questionable cornerbacks.

ESPN says:

Middleton possesses prototypical size for a cornerback. His strengths include overall ball skills and the ability to be effective in run support. However, some tightness in his hips creates some concerns about his ability to limit separation.

other players they could've drafted: Colin Brown, OT, Mizzou. Nic Harris, S/LB, Oklahoma. Brandon Hughes, CB, Oregon State. Jasper Brinkley, ILB, South Carolnia. Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State.

5th Rd. Garrett Reynolds, OT North Carolina.

obviously Atlanta needed to add some depth on the offensive line and a player the could develop to be a starter. i love Reynolds size 6 foot 8 & 310 pounds. but there were a 2 lineman available at this spot who were both more productive in this spot. Herman Johnson the huge guard from LSU and Duke Robinson the All American guard from Oklahoma that would've made me more excited. still tackle was a need so i'm not gonna cry my eyes out about this pick.

other players they could've drafted: Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma. Herman Johnson, G, LSU.

6th Rd. Spencer Adkins, ILB, Miami.

linebacker was a position of need, right behind safety and defensive tackle. so why did Atlanta wait until the 6th round and then draft a player who lost his starting job to a freshman and plays the same position as last year's 2nd round pick Curtis Lofton? i don't get this pick at all. i'll be shocked if he even makes the squad. i would've much rather seen them take Georgia linebacker Danelle Ellerbe who at least has some boom potential.

ESPN Says:

Atkins lacks instincts and it's going to take some major repetitions for him to catch on. He also has durability issues. However, he is a quick-twitched athlete who possesses above-average range.

player's they could've taken: Jarius Wynn, DE, UGA. Stephen Hodge, OLB, TCU. Danelle Ellerbe, LB, UGA.

7th Rd. Vance Walker, DT, Georgia Tech.

a good pick up in the 7th round. they snag a local kid who can help add some depth to the line. i have nothing bad to say about this, BUT i think they should've just signed this kid as a free agent and instead drafted LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois...a player who was the MVP of the 2006 national title game and was originally thought of as a 1st round talent who could've played at either tackle or defensive end for the Falcons and i think was a steal in the 7th round.

ESPN says:

Walker plays with a mean streak and is relentless at the point of attack. However, he needs major work on his technique and doesn't move well laterally.

players they could've taken: Curtis Taylor, S, LSU. Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinatti. Manuel Johnson, WR, Oklahoma. Ricky Jean-Francois, DT, LSU. Captain Munnerlyn, CB, South Carolina.

here's Atlanta's list of rookie free agent signings.

Clemson wide receiver Aaron Kelly
West Virginia offensive lineman Ryan Stanchek
Missouri linebacker Brock Christopher
Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson
San Diego State quarterback/wide receiver Darren Mougey
Northern Arizona punter Robbie Dehaze

the only guy on this list that i like is Kelly from Clemson to help out in the return game.