Mock 2-1-08

[pledgi]

Obviously defense is the big need this offseason and a complete overhaul seems necessary.

Free Agents: Resign Fanene, TJ, Andrews, Jones, and LJohnson

Bid farewell to: Madieu, Deltha, Dexter, Miller, BRob, and Smith.

Draft:

Round 1: Sedrick Ellis- This is a no-brainer if he's available. Gholston may be another option. Trade down if neither is available or take best player available period Maybe Clady?

Round 2: Lawrence Jackson DE/USC- Ellis reunites with his USC D-linemate

3a: Erin Henderson OLB/ Maryland: Brother of EJ would be a great value at this pick and solidify the linebacker corps especially in a 4-3. Other steals here would be Trevor Laws or Shawn Crable.

3b. Dwight Lowery CB/ San Jose St.- We'll need a new nickel back with Deltha gone. How long has it been since we had a speedy, tall, corner who could play press coverage? Oh yeah, it was Tory James' first two years before he got old. Charles Godfrey out of Purdue would also fit the bill in this spot.

4 Jacob Taame TE/ Kentucky. - Coats and Kelly both have blocking ability. We need a TE who can run and catch. Another option would be Brad Cottam from Tennessee. How nice would it be to have a 6-7 tight end to help our red zone woes?

5a Johnny Dingle DE/ West Virginia- Probably shouldn't have come out this year, but his loss is our gain. He's got fire like Odell and a motor like Justin. Tommy Blake or Chase Ortiz from TCU would also be potential steals here, but raise more questions about injuries and consistency.

5b. Sammie Stroughter WR/ Oregon State- This is a match made in heaven. Explosive kick returner and solid receiver and we haven't gone wrong with Oregon State receivers in the past!

6. Leon Hart G/Auburn. - this quick versatile lineman can play all five line positions and provide depth. His technique needs improvement, but if we can turn a shot-putter into a top lineman, this should be no problem.


7a and 7b. These picks should be used on the best player available and a project for the practice squad. Remember, there is value to be had in the 7th round (see Chinedum Ndukwe).

:tiger:

[palmer_garnett_95]

I like most of your picks. Although, I'm not sure about Lawrence Jackson. This is just my opinion. I liked Dingle and love Tamme, but then, that could just be a regional bias since I am a UK fan and watched some WVU games.

[pledgi]

I like most of your picks. Although, I'm not sure about Lawrence Jackson. This is just my opinion. I liked Dingle and love Tamme, but then, that could just be a regional bias since I am a UK fan and watched some WVU games.

Thanks. He's not my first choice, but I'm sure Harvey and Campbell will be gone by then.

[BENGALMANIA]

I like most of your draft. The only thing I would change is the 2nd round. Maybe a linebacker such as Mayo,or Wheeler ,or a de like Merling if he drops to us. We should have another 3rd pick for loosing Steinback; so why not use it to draft another Steinbach. I think Adam Krause G/C MICH. would be a good addition to our line.:tiger:

[pledgi]

I like most of your draft. The only thing I would change is the 2nd round. Maybe a linebacker such as Mayo,or Wheeler ,or a de like Merling if he drops to us. We should have another 3rd pick for loosing Steinback; so why not use it to draft another Steinbach. I think Adam Krause G/C MICH. would be a good addition to our line.:tiger:

Interesting theory, but we've got a lot of depth at center and too many needs on defense. If we don't take a nickel corner be the end of round three, we won't get one and will be at the mercy of Deltha O'neal and/or the FA market.

[Ethanga62890]

I'm sorry but there is no way IMO that Ellis falls to 9. I'd go ape**** if we (Falcons) or the Raiders passed on him.

[pledgi]

I'm sorry but there is no way IMO that Ellis falls to 9. I'd go ape**** if we (Falcons) or the Raiders passed on him.



The Falcons certainly don't have any other needs in the first round. :hmm:

[PollackHeart]

I'm sorry but there is no way IMO that Ellis falls to 9. I'd go ape**** if we (Falcons) or the Raiders passed on him.

The Falcons need a QB in the worst way. They would be as dumb as Michael Vick to not take one. I think Brohm is the best prospect, but many mocks have Matt Ryan as the No. 1 QB.

[PollackHeart]

I like most of your draft. The only thing I would change is the 2nd round. Maybe a linebacker such as Mayo,or Wheeler ,or a de like Merling if he drops to us. We should have another 3rd pick for loosing Steinback; so why not use it to draft another Steinbach. I think Adam Krause G/C MICH. would be a good addition to our line.:tiger:

I love Mayo and Wheeler too. I'm pretty sure though, they'll be 3rd rounders unless someone really reaches.

Merling would be amazing in the 2nd round, but I think he may sneak into the first. Pure DE's are tough to find. That's exactly why Frostee went to us in the 3rd round.

[Ethanga62890]

The Falcons need a QB in the worst way. They would be as dumb as Michael Vick to not take one. I think Brohm is the best prospect, but many mocks have Matt Ryan as the No. 1 QB.

No QB is worth taking that high. Plus our OL play has been abysmal since 10 years ago. Matt Ryan i will shoot our new GM if he drafts Matt ryan.

[mrcrockj]

Love it !!!

I really hope Ellis drops to us in the first, it would be great.

Round 5 looks great as well. I think Dingle will be a great player to work in on passing situations at the DT position, I was amazed at the penetration he got working out of WVU's 3-3-5.

The one think I would consider changing would be the round 2 pick. I think I might set my aim for a DE/OLB tweener. Quentin Groves maybe? With this pick I think we'd be sitting pretty for the 3-4.

[NATI BENGALS]

I'm with most of the others on here. I love your draft but I would go in a different direction in the 2nd. If we landed Ellis in the first I would love to go right back to DT in the 2nd. Say Pat Sims, Trevor Laws, or Red Bryant. We could use a serious influx of talent at DT and I think a first and second rd pick is just what the doctor ordered. Of course I want us to resign J Smith therefore the DE needs wouldnt be as high.

[MJB]

How is a Quarterback not worth a top 5 pick? Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Vince Young, Donovan McNabb were all top 5 picks. All of which would be better alternatives than the Atlanta Falcons have now. If Atlanta doesn't take a Quarterback then they will take Darren McFadden. IMO Atlanta's offense needs so much help that they have to address that side of the ball.

[PollackHeart]

How is a Quarterback not worth a top 5 pick? Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Vince Young, Donovan McNabb were all top 5 picks. All of which would be better alternatives than the Atlanta Falcons have now. If Atlanta doesn't take a Quarterback then they will take Darren McFadden. IMO Atlanta's offense needs so much help that they have to address that side of the ball.


Completely agree. I don't care what anyone says, the Falcons will take a QB at 3 or 4.

[Jasonew6]

How is a Quarterback not worth a top 5 pick? Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Vince Young, Donovan McNabb were all top 5 picks. All of which would be better alternatives than the Atlanta Falcons have now. If Atlanta doesn't take a Quarterback then they will take Darren McFadden. IMO Atlanta's offense needs so much help that they have to address that side of the ball.

Yes, Manning, Manning, Palmer, et al are all worthy of Top 5 picks. Ryan and Brohm are good QBs, but are they worth Top 5 draft picks? I don't know. Honestly, this isn't a great year to be a team with a high pick in need of a QB.

[Ethanga62890]

How is a Quarterback not worth a top 5 pick? Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning, Vince Young, Donovan McNabb were all top 5 picks. All of which would be better alternatives than the Atlanta Falcons have now. If Atlanta doesn't take a Quarterback then they will take Darren McFadden. IMO Atlanta's offense needs so much help that they have to address that side of the ball.

First off, Vince Young *****. Second, Ryan Leaf was a top 5 pick also. Matt Ryan has horrid decision making against mediocre teams and the best argument is that he has intangibles? You really need to take a little more research into this years QB class. I'd rather have Flacco or Dixon before Matt Ryan. Both of which can be had later than round 1. RB is not necessarily an immediate need but a need nonetheless and i'd be happy with McFadden but apparently you don't know our needs very well. We need a DT in a bad way too, Coleman can't stay healthy and Lewis has been a good surprise but got a knee injury last year.

[MJB]

I don't think either one of them is very good, but unless you match the Browns tender on Anderson you are kind of stuck aren't you? There really aren't any Free Agents QBs that will lead a franchise better than Matt Ryan. Atlanta cannot go another year with Joey Harrington at the helm.



You also said no quarterback was worth that high of a pick...you never said in this draft. The way I took what you said is that no quarterback is worth taking that high like I would say no kicker or fullback are worth first round picks.

[PollackHeart]

First off, Vince Young *****. Second, Ryan Leaf was a top 5 pick also. Matt Ryan has horrid decision making against mediocre teams and the best argument is that he has intangibles? You really need to take a little more research into this years QB class. I'd rather have Flacco or Dixon before Matt Ryan. Both of which can be had later than round 1. RB is not necessarily an immediate need but a need nonetheless and i'd be happy with McFadden but apparently you don't know our needs very well. We need a DT in a bad way too, Coleman can't stay healthy and Lewis has been a good surprise but got a knee injury last year.

You're right, we don't know Atlanta's needs as well as you because this is a BENGALS board.

All I know is that their offense was absolutely anemic and their franchise QB is in JAIL. I wouldn't be dissing Ryan or Brohm (who I think they'll take) because if they lose the coin flip and Oakland picks before them, they will take a QB.

Sorry, I know you're frustrated because your team *****.

[Ethanga62890]

I don't think either one of them is very good, but unless you match the Browns tender on Anderson you are kind of stuck aren't you? There really aren't any Free Agents QBs that will lead a franchise better than Matt Ryan. Atlanta cannot go another year with Joey Harrington at the helm.



You also said no quarterback was worth that high of a pick...you never said in this draft. The way I took what you said is that no quarterback is worth taking that high like I would say no kicker or fullback are worth first round picks.

There really aren't many good FA QBs i agree but i'm far from sold on Matt Ryan, i believe he has the biggest bust potential in this draft.

My bad, i meant to say in this draft :)

[MJB]

I personally think that Colt Brennan is the Quarterback in this draft that fits the mold of a system. If he lands in a place where they run the west coast offense then he should flourish.

[BengalFanInNY]

No QB is worth taking that high. Plus our OL play has been abysmal since 10 years ago. Matt Ryan i will shoot our new GM if he drafts Matt ryan.

i hope your saying out of this year's qbs b/c palmer was worth taking number one

[pledgi]

There really aren't many good FA QBs i agree but i'm far from sold on Matt Ryan, i believe he has the biggest bust potential in this draft.

My bad, i meant to say in this draft :)

You're right, the bust potential is there, but I see Atlanta needing to address offense more than anything and either Mcfadden or Jake Long will be available as well as the QB's. I don't see Atlanta passing any of these up for a D-tackle. The big questions are whether St. Louis goes with D or O-line with the #2 pick and how the coin flip turns out. Oakland has many of the same needs as Atlanta outside of QB.