2014 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: TE Arthur Lynch

Arthur Lynch could be the guy to replace Tony Gonzalez in the Atlanta Falcons offense. While the Falcons haven’t publicly shown interest in Lynch, he has made a suggestion on his Twitter account that the Falcons just might be interested in his services.

Atlanta could use someone like him to be a starting tight end. He’s an all-around talent who has some physical limitations at the next level. However, he’s worth a look at least in the mid-rounds of the draft and could be ideal competition for 2013’s fifth-round pick, Levine Toilolo.

Arthur Lynch

Tight End

University of Georgia

Combine Measurements

Height: 6'4.625" Weight: 258 pounds

Arm Length: 32.5" Hand Measurement: 10.125"

40-yard dash: 4.82 sec. 10-yard split: 1.67 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.35 sec. Three-cone Drill: 7.38 sec. Bench Reps: 28 reps

Vertical Jump: 29.5" Broad Jump: 9'8"

Stats

2013: 12 games played, 30 catches, 459 yards, five touchdowns

2012: 14 games played, 24 catches, 431 yards, three touchdowns, 1-of-1 passing (100.0 percent), 16 yards, one tackle

2011: 14 games played

2010: Redshirted

2009: 11 games played, two catches, 17 yards

Scouting Report

Strengths

Lynch has the size and strength needed to be an effective tight end in the NFL. He’s got good hands and understands how to find the holes in zones at the intermediate and short levels. He’s also a top-level third-down target, as he fights for every yard he can get after the catch.

He has good body control when he goes up for a contested catch and fights for the ball every time. More than that, he’s an extremely talented blocker who drives defenders off the ball in the run game. He seals his edge with power and authority.

Weaknesses

Lynch isn’t a top-tier athlete, and that’s what really hurts him as a receiver. While he is willing, he’s not able to get higher than defenders on the majority of contested balls. On top of that, he’s more quick than fast.

While that leads to solid routes, he doesn’t have the deep speed to stretch the seam of a defense. He also doesn’t have the ability to lead the offense at tight end. He’ll have to be paired with a solid joker-type tight end when he gets to the NFL.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

Lynch has never been arrested nor suspended. He was team captain for the Bulldogs in 2013 and was class president of his high school his senior year. He's a model teammate and citizen and fits in perfectly with owner Arthur Blank and GM Thomas Dimitroff's philosophy off the field.

Overview

Lynch is a blocking tight end with receiving potential. Long term, he’s a second tight end option for a team that has a talented receiver in the Tony Gonzalez/Jimmy Graham-mold. Ideally, he’s the in-line blocker on most running plays while the primary is split out wide like a receiver.

He does give play-action passes a legitimate shot of working for a team though, because he can both block and catch competently. Atlanta could use someone who can do both so that they can start tricking defenses more than they did in 2013.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

The Falcons would have to take Arthur Lynch in the fourth or fifth round to secure his services. Once on the team, he would fight with Levine Toilolo and Mickey Shuler for the starting role. He’d have an instant leg up on the competition with his blocking ability.

However, he would have to shine as a receiver in training camp and preseason to be worthy of starting. Once the season comes around, the Falcons could always look into bringing in a better receiving option to start, but Lynch would still be great competition and depth for a unit that needs both.

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, College Football, NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.

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