After C.J. Spiller (which wasn't realistic) and Brandon Graham went off the board this was the guy I wanted. He fits a need since we are either old (Mike Peterson) or average (Stephan Nicholas- although he does still have good up side potential as last year was his first year as a starter) at OLB. Spoon brings attitude, speed, strength, athleticism, and versatility. He can get after the quarter back or drop back in coverage. He's not a guy that's going to need to come off the field. Add him to Curtis Lofton and we are set at 2 out of 3 LB spots for the next 5-10 years.
Pick #2- Corey Peters- DL- Kentucky- Round 3- Pick #83
This pick was a surprise for me because I feel that DE is a bigger need right now than DT and surprisingly Everson Griffin was still on the board. Peters was picked to back up Jonathan Babineaux and Peria Jerry and will be insurance in case one of them gets injured. Peters is good against the run and he has ideal size for a DT. It appears this guy is quite the athlete for his size as he has a background in wrestling, baseball and track and field (discus and shot put). So there is nothing to dislike about this pick except that we didn't get a DE. This is one of those moments that you just take a deep breath and recite "In Dimetroff We Trust" over and over as you rock back and forth and clutch your Matt Ryan bobble head, your Michael Turner jersey, your Tony/October Gonzales PETA ad, your Dunta Robinson rookie card, and your Curtis Lofton MMA T-Shirt.
Pick #3- Mike Johnson- OL- Alabama- Round 3- Pick #98
An offensive lineman. I like that. He played for Bama? I like that too. He's a guard who has also played tackle so he has the cross-training that the Falcons love their offensive linemen to have. He played in 41 consecutive games at Bama and appeared in 54 games. He was a first-team All-American twice. He didn't miss a start in his last two year. Love this pick. I was reading up on the picks and one of the Falcons writers, D Orlando Ledbetter, said the Falcons think their first three picks have high FBI (Football Intelligence). I'll take that. This pick provides good depth with a chance to push for playing time and/or help out when Sam Baker is injured.
Pick #4- Joe Hawley- OL- UNLV- Round 4- Pick #117
Never heard of this cat before we picked him. I voiced this concern on twitter but was quickly told that he had the best beard in the draft and I was immediately confident in this pick. He will fit right in with our other beard loving offensive linemen. Hawley is projected as a center but can also play guard so he's another one of those cross-position offensive linemen that the Falcons love. He fits a need and seems to fit in with what the Falcons are looking for AND he has a great beard. I'm sold. Todd McClure is still our guy at center but a year or two down the road this guy could replace him as the starter once he retires.
Pick #5- Dominique Franks- CB- Oklahoma- Round 5- Pick #135
The Falcons traded the 149th pick and the 189th pick to move up to take this guy. He was an All-Big 12 coaches selection last year as a junior. He covered the other teams best player and in the Big 12 that means Crabtree, Macklin, and Dez Bryant. In addition to playing corner he can also be a factor in the return game for us. Franks has a lot of athleticism and was projected to go a lot higher than where we got him. Love this pick. We have taken the CB position from a huge weakness to where we have a bunch of guys who will be gunning for playing time. I think worst case scenario he helps out on special teams this year (either in the return game or just getting after the football).
Pick #6- Kerry Meier- WR- Kansas- Round 5- Pick #165
He's the all-time leading receiver in the history of Kansas football. I'm not sure if that is more impressive then the fact that he survived Mark Mangino's insults without punching the coach in the face. So we know this kid has composure and resolve. Dimetroff says he runs good routes, has good hands and has a knack for finding an open spot on the field. Sounds like a practice roster guy and possibly an eventual replacement for #4 receiver Brian Finnerann. It's the 6th round, what else do you want? ESPN blogger Pat Yasinskas also made the same connection I did to Brian Finnerann and says Meier is a "flat out football player." He went on to say that he played multiple positions (all three receiver positions, fullback, H-back, held on place kicks and also got in some time as a back-up QB as that's the position he played in High School).
Pick #7- Shann Shillinger- S- Montana- Round 6- Pick #171
The last guy Dimetroff picked out of Montana was the great Kroy Biermann so I love this pick. He ran a 4.51 and a 4.53 at his Pro Day which opened some eyes. Dimetroff says he flys around the field, is a very smart football player and will compete for a safety spot and a place on special teams. Sounds about right. Again, it's the 6th round nothing wrong with this pick.
Outside of Sean Witherspoon this wasn't a sexy draft but it's one that I like. We drafted for need at OLB, OL and CB. My only fear coming out of the draft is that we didn't find part of the solution at DE. We still have John Abraham, Chauncey Davis and Kroy Biermann so I guess the brain trust has a lot of confidence in those guys.
When does the season start?
1 comment:
I didn't have much of an opinion on this draft, because Spoon's literally the only player I recognized. My default position for now is "In Dimitroff We Trust", because he's done a great job of getting value out of late round picks and small school guys in the past.
I'm really curious to see what Sidbury does this year. If he can show something as a situational rusher, that'll help stabilize the DE position some.
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