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Falcons and the 2017 draft

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Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#1 » by atlantabbq99 » Thu Feb 9, 2017 1:51 pm

I plan to boycott the Falcons next year, I might watch during the playoffs, but I have no plans in watching any regular season games, regardless if they go 16-0 and average 40pts per game, i really could careless.

But I do love the NBA and NFL draft, i just love the process and scouting players. I'm still not sure if i will actually watch the draft this year or just get update online.

Anyway, the guy on my radar right now is Zach Cunningham. Zach would be a realistic pick up in the late first round who could be available. Zach is a tall athletic hybrid LB/Safety. He is a decent to good pass rusher, but seems to be above average in pass coverage and in the open field. The Falcons gave up alot of yards up the middle, and a LB with pass coverage skills like Luke Kuechly is really what the Falcons needed the most. Hopefully Cunningham could turn into a Kuechly type of LB or at worst a Kiko Alonso LB without the injuries.

I also wouldn't mind the Falcons looking at OLine, if anybody of high quality falls in the late first round like Dan Feeney, Ryan Ramczyk, or Cam Robinson. I know initially it doesn't make sense to add an offensive player in the first round when you need so much help on defense, but I just look at teams like the Broncos, Panthers, Cards, Seahawks, and Ravens, all who have bad offensive lines, and you see how much they struggled, all year, regardless how good their defense was or how talented their skill players are. It really shows me that you really need to invest resources to your OLine if you want to stay competitive every year. So if a quality guy falls to the late first, then why not.

The 2017 draft is really deep in talent, Their are about 50 guys who are good enough to be first round pick, and this makes all the mock drafts on the internet look crazy. Some people have guys like Jabrill Peppers and Marlon Humphrey going i the top 10, and other mock drafts have them in the 2nd round. I saw one mock draft have Marshon Lattimore, and Malik Hooker go in the top 5, then i saw another mock draft that had them both in the late first round. Anyways, this draft is really unpredictable and loaded, so some really quality guys could be available for the Falcons in the late first and second round.

I'm really liking Zach Cunningham right now, but who knows, maybe Jabrill Peppers falls to the Falcons. Anyways, this is all moot, because everything can change and be re-shuffled after the combine and the 40s come out. I'll probably have a stronger opinion on 4-5 guys as soon as the 40s come out.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#2 » by DirtybirdGA » Thu Feb 9, 2017 8:32 pm

Not sure about too much depth right now, just a little concerned if Schaub goes to SF, and we'll need a qb2.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#3 » by atlantabbq99 » Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:13 am

I wouldn't get a QB in the draft, even if Schaub leaves. I might look at a QB in the 5th-6th round, if somebody interesting is available. If the Falcons are contenders next year, then they don't need a rookie to back up the QB, they need a vet to hold down the fort until Ryan gets back. If Schaub leaves, i would just look at Matt Cassel, Mike Glennon, or even Geno Smith as possible backups. I'm really not interested in getting a young QB right now, only time to get a young QB is if a team is planning to rebuild, and the Falcons are not in the category
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#4 » by ATL Boy » Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:41 am

Falcons have hit absolute homeruns in the two drafts since Dan Quinn came aboard (Neal, Jones, Campbell, Hooper and Poole as a UDFA in 2016; Beasley, Collins, Coleman, Hardy, Jarrett in 2015).

The way I see it, we're one more great draft class this year away from setting the foundation of an absolute dynasty for years to come. I also completely trust in Dan Quinn's judgement at this point, and will support whatever players he and Dimitroff decide to draft.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#5 » by atlantabbq99 » Mon Mar 6, 2017 11:35 pm

WOW! Obi Melifonwu and Kevin King just blew up the combine! Both guys would be two interesting prospects for the Falcons. Falcons would be lucky if Obi Melifonwu fell to them in the 1st round.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#6 » by HMFFL » Thu Mar 9, 2017 9:13 pm

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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#7 » by atlantabbq99 » Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:27 am

Falcons should draft a Running back in the 4th-5th round

T.J. Logan from UNC, 5'9, 198lbs, 4.37sec 40, 650 rushing yards, 254 receiving yards

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Falcons are not in need for any more offensive weapons, especially at running back, but Falcons are in desperate need for help on special teams and especially a Kick Return specialist. Logan fits that need very nicely with his home run speed, if he is available in the 4th round for the Falcons.

Logan is also one of the better pass catching RBs in the draft, and is use to playing with a high volume passer in Trubisky. It would be an easy transition for him to move to the Falcons and Ryan in there passing system.

Logan can also serve as a sort of insurance policy for Freeman, just in case the Falcons want to make any moves 2-3 years down the line at RB.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#8 » by atlantabbq99 » Mon Apr 10, 2017 5:35 am

Looks like Guard has become a need for the Falcons now. I would love the Falcons to get David Sharpe out of Florida in the 3rd round. Sharpe is big and strong and is basically built like a wall. Sharpe could be a beast if they move him to Guard.

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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#9 » by atlantabbq99 » Sat Apr 22, 2017 9:26 am

Reuben Foster has a failed drug test, this might affect him falling in the draft. I have no problem in drafting Foster if the falls to the Falcons. I really don't have problems with failed drug test as long as the drugs are not PED. I'm also ok with Foster's attitude, scouts say he is a hard worker and focused, I only don't like drafting players with attitude problems who are lazy like Nkemdiche last year.

This kind of reminds me of Justin Houston in UGA. He was projected to be a 1st round pick, but had a bad drug test, dropped to the 3rd round and is now an all pro for KC.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#10 » by HMFFL » Thu Apr 27, 2017 7:51 pm

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Falcons are "plotting a potential move" up from No. 31.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported something similar last week. The move would almost certainly be for a specific player, and not a specific need. A pass rusher is one possibility. Tennessee's Derek Barnett and Missouri's Charles Harris are two players who could be available in the low '20s.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#11 » by atlantabbq99 » Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:12 am

Some really really good players still available for the Falcons, Taco Charlton, Reuben Foster, Forrest Lamp, McDowell, Cam Robinson, Zach Cunningham, Watt, Kevin King, Melifonwu

I would just roll the dice and go with Reuben Foster as the first pick
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#12 » by atlantabbq99 » Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:18 am

Falcons end up taking Takkarist McKinley. He is known as a high motor DE/OLB.

Strengths: high motor, good burst, high character, good attitude.

Weaknesses: Skills are raw and lacks ideal height

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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#13 » by atlantabbq99 » Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:23 am

Lets see who falls to the second round. I hope Melifonwu is available, but Falcons might go with OL with the second pick.

Falcons ended up trading away their 3rd round pick to move up to 26. So lets hope that somebody really good ends up falling in the second round to cover up that lost 3rd round pick.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#14 » by HMFFL » Fri Apr 28, 2017 4:48 am

Takkarist McKinley gets my approval.
I look forward to seeing him in the spring and during the regular season.

The second round will be interesting since there's so much talent available.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#15 » by atlantabbq99 » Fri Apr 28, 2017 6:14 am

2015 Vic Beasley NFL combine: 6'3, 250lbs, 4.53 forty

2017 Tak McKinley NFL combine: 6'3, 250lbs, 4.59 forty

It will be interesting to see what these two do together when they are on the field at the same time.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#16 » by ATL Boy » Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:05 pm

I like the Takk pick. His motor is absolutely invaluable and probably the reason Quinn decided to pull be trigger in a trade up.

I just hope he's ready to go for the start of the season.


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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#17 » by DirtybirdGA » Fri Apr 28, 2017 8:30 pm

Sounds like he's ready to knock some heads,and even wanted to play in his suit!
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#18 » by atlantabbq99 » Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:59 am

Their are still some quality OL left in the draft. lets see who the Falcons can pick up in the 4th and 5th round.

I still like David Sharpe as OG for the Falcons. He was a poor LT for the Gators, but I think a transition to OG in the NFL will serve him well.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#19 » by atlantabbq99 » Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:26 pm

Like i said earlier, i probably would have taken Reuben Foster at 31 if he fell to the Falcons. I'm still ok with Takk, but as the night dragged on and Foster kept slipping, i was thinking to myself, "if i was GM i think i would try to offer #63 and 2018 first round pick to the Bills, Cowboys, Browns, Steelers, Saints, Jags, or Cards and try go get into a position to get Foster". Anyways, Duke Riley is still a good prospect at LB and could be a better player than Foster, we will just have to wait and see.

I'm surprised the Falcons didn't go after a Safety in the later rounds, unless they are planning to test Damontae Kazee at FS for a few reps. Kazee does have good center field skills


Sean Harlow is a good pick up, we will see if he can contribute anything to the OL this year. We will probably also see UGA's Greg Pyke as an undrafted rookie for the Falcons this summer. I'm a UGA homer so i hope he makes it.

Eric Saubert is an interesting pick. His scouting report has him as a super athlete TE but with low football IQ. Maybe the coaching staff thinks his weaknesses can be coached out.

Brian Hill looks pretty good, but lets see if he can become a quality slot receiver like Tevin Coleman is now.
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Re: Falcons and the 2017 draft 

Post#20 » by HMFFL » Thu May 4, 2017 5:07 am

We shall see what Reuben Foster does in his rookie season and it will be fun to compare during that time. Midway point of the season will be good and comparing a final time at the end of the season.

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