Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions
Who will be joining Atlanta Falcons first-round pick Vic Beasley on Days 2 and 3 of the NFL draft? The Falcons have some needs that should to be filled along the offensive line, at receiver and tight end, in the secondary and along the front line.
There are a ton of excellent talents still left in the 2015 draft, and the Falcons could make an impact by drafting another starter or two on the second day, while they get some solid depth players on the third day. Despite the possibility of a trade, they are too hard to predict and are not included in this mock.
The Picks Thus Far
1 of 8Here's how the first round of the draft went.
Round 2, No. 42 Overall: OL Ali Marpet, Hobart
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After the big run on offensive linemen in the first round happened, the Falcons find themselves sitting at 42 with seven of the top offensive linemen already selected. Three guys who fit the Falcons scheme at guard were taken in the first round in Cam Erving, Cedric Ogbuehi and Brandon Scherff.
The Falcons need to make sure they address their left guard need with someone who really fits the position well. Ali Marpet out of Hobart is the best guard remaining and is a perfect athlete for offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's blocking schemes.
Putting Marpet with Jake Matthews, Joe Hawley, Jon Asamoah and Ryan Schraeder on the offensive line could give the Falcons a line that would lead them to one of their best rushing performances in a long time. They could also protect Matt Ryan better than he's been protected the past two years.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'4" Weight: 307 pounds
Arm Length: 33-3/8" Hand Measurement: 10"
40-yard dash: 4.98 sec. 10-yard split: 1.71 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.47 sec. Three-cone Drill: 7.33 sec. Bench Reps: 30 reps
Vertical Jump: 30.5" Broad Jump: 9'0”
Stats
2014: 13 games started at left tackle
2013: 11 games started at left tackle
2012: 13 games started at left tackle
2011: 6 games played at multiple positions along the offensive line
Round 3, No. 73 Overall: TE Devin Funchess, Michigan
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The Falcons need to get someone who can create mismatches in the passing game similar to how Jimmy Graham used to terrorize the Falcons from 2010 to 2014. Atlanta should see that film of Graham and use that to say, "Let's get Devin Funchess and use him the exact same way."
Funchess is a great athlete but is a bit smaller than the average tight end. He's still someone that could create matchup issues for a defense similar to how Jermichael Finley did for the Packers for a long time. Funchess has average hands, is a solid route-runner and is good off the field.
When he doesn't focus, he can drop the ball often, but with focus, he's looking like he has Stickum on his gloves. He's also not a great blocker and needs a ton of work there. Kyle Shanahan loves using his tight ends in the red zone to score a ton of touchdowns.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'4" Weight: 232 pounds
Arm Length: 33-1/2" Hand Measurement: 9-3/4"
40-yard dash: 4.47 sec. 10-yard split: 1.55 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.48 sec. Three-cone Drill: 6.98 sec. Bench Reps: 17 reps
Vertical Jump: 38.5" Broad Jump: 10'2"
Stats (from CFB Stats)
2014: 11 Games Played, 62 Catches, 733 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Carries, -11 Yards, 1 Tackle
2013: 13 Games Played, 49 Catches, 748 Yards, 6 Touchdowns, 6 Carries, 34 Yards, 1 Tackle
2012: 12 Games Played, 15 Catches, 234 Yards, 5 Touchdowns
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Round 4, No. 107 Overall: RB Jay Ajayi, Boise State
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The Falcons need a running back to be that perfect power complement to Devonta Freeman. To do that, the running back needs to be able to catch passes out of the backfield, run the ball well in short-yardage downs and score touchdowns in the red zone.
Jay Ajayi is very similar to Clinton Portis and would be great in the Falcons offense under Kyle Shanahan. He's an amazing one-cut-and-go tailback who can read a defense effectively. He's a talented receiver out of the backfield and his only real question comes from a knee that is causing concerns.
Ajayi could very well drop due to concerns about an ACL injury he suffered during his freshman year and how it's been healing. The Falcons would have to clear his knees in order to take him even this high, but Ajayi's talent could overshadow the injury at this point in the draft.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'0" Weight: 221 pounds
Arm length: 32" Hand measurement: 10"
40-yard dash: 4.57 sec. 10-yard split: 1.60 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.10 sec. Three-cone drill: 7.10 sec. Bench reps:19 reps
Vertical jump: 39.0" Broad jump: 10'1"
Stats (from CFB Stats)
2014: 14 Games Played, 347 Carries, 1,823 Yards, 28 Touchdowns, 50 Catches, 535 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles, 1.0 Tackle for Loss
2013: 13 Games Played, 249 Carries, 1,425 Yards, 18 Touchdowns, 22 Catches, 222 Yards, 1 Touchdown
2012: 11 Games Played, 82 Carries, 548 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 1 Catch, 14 Yards, 1 Kick Return, 16 Yards
2011: Redshirted
Round 5, No. 146 Overall: S Durell Eskridge, Syracuse
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When it comes to picking for the Falcons' biggest needs, safeties that can cover the deep third effectively and make plays on the ball while doing so are worth taking at any point in the draft. Durell Eskridge is a great fit for the scheme and has the perfect size and speed combination for the role.
Eskridge has experience in a scheme similar to the scheme that Dan Quinn will be employing in Atlanta in 2015. He's going to fit right in with the fast and physical style that Quinn is looking for and rarely misses tackles. Atlanta should be happy to take him here should he fall this far.
Combine/Pro-Day Measurements
Height: 6'3" Weight: 208 pounds
Arm length: 32-3/8" Hand measurement: 9-5/8"
40-yard dash: 4.63 sec. 10-yard split: 1.51 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.26 sec. Three-cone drill: 7.09 sec.
Vertical jump: 31.0" Broad jump: 9'9"
Stats (from CFB Stats)
2014: 12 Games Played, 68 Tackles, 1 Interception, 3 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown
2013: 12 Games Played, 78 Tackles, 4.0 Tackles for Loss, 0.5 Sacks, 1 QB Hurry, 4 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Forced, 1 Pass Deflection, 1 Catch, 19 Yards
2012: 13 Games Played, 36 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 1 Fumble Forced, 3 Pass Deflections, 1 Punt Return, 13 Yards
2011: Redshirted
Round 6, No. 185 Overall: WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina
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An underrated need for the Falcons is at wide receiver. Atlanta let Harry Douglas go but kept Devin Hester for the slot receiver role. They also have Roddy White and Julio Jones on the roster, but White is getting older and Jones is needing a true No. 2 to complement him.
The Falcons should take Justin Hardy if he falls this far because he'd be an instant upgrade over what Douglas was. He's an ideal slot receiver for the Falcons offense, but he's shown in college that he can play well on the outside in a West Coast offense.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 5'10" Weight: 192 pounds
Arm Length: 32-1/8" Hand Measurement: 10"
40-yard dash: 4.56 sec. 10-yard split: 1.57 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.21 sec. 3-cone Drill: 6.63 sec. Bench Reps: 11 reps
Vertical Jump: 36.5" Broad Jump: 9'6”
Stats (from CFB Stats)
2014: 13 Games Played, 121 Catches, 1,494 Yards, 10 Touchdowns, 1 Carry, 7 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 23 Punt Returns, 95 Yards, 1-of-4 (25.0 percent), 41 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 3 Tackles
2013: 13 Games Played, 114 Catches, 1,284 Yards, 8 Touchdowns, 20 Punt Returns, 225 Yards, 2-of-3 (66.7 percent), 55 Yards, 1 Touchdown
2012: 13 Games Played, 88 Catches, 1,105 Yards, 11 Touchdowns, 20 Punt Returns, 175 Yards, 0-of-2 (0.0 percent), 2 Tackles
2011: 11 Games Played, 64 Catches, 658 Yards, 6 Touchdowns, 1-of-1 Passing (100.0 percent), 51 Yards, 2 Tackles
Round 7, No. 225 Overall: CB Nick Marshall, Auburn
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The Falcons need a great athlete with a taller, longer build that they can use as a project player at cornerback. Nick Marshall is an ideal fit for the Falcons' scheme and is a similar project concept to what Richard Sherman was coming out of college.
He's a tall, long cornerback with great short-area quickness and physicality that happened to play quarterback in college. His understanding of the offensive side of the ball should help him adapt to the NFL faster and make an impact as a depth and special teams player at the very least.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'1" Weight: 207 pounds
Arm Length: 32-1/8" Hand Measurement: 9-1/4"
40-yard dash: 4.54 sec. 10-yard split: 1.60 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.15 sec. Three-cone Drill: 6.96 sec.
Vertical Jump: 37-1/2" Broad Jump: 10'4"
Stats (from CFB Stats)
2014: 13 Games Played, 178-of-293 (60.8 percent), 2,532 Yards, 20 Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 153 Carries, 798 Yards, 11 Touchdowns, 2 Catches, 16 Yards
2013: 13 Games Played, 142-of-239 (59.4 percent), 1,976 Yards, 14 Touchdowns, 6 Interceptions, 172 Carries, 1,068 Yards, 12 Touchdowns, 1 Catch, 35 Yards
2012: Played at a Junior College
2011: 13 Games Played, 5 Tackles
Round 7, No. 249 Overall: DT Angelo Blackson, Auburn
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Atlanta needs some competition in camp behind Paul Soliai for the roster spot. Angelo Blackson may not be a better player than Tyson Jackson right now, but it's more about giving Jackson competition for the role within the defense. Blackson is a better athlete and should be a better fit for the nose tackle role.
Blackson is taller and stronger than the standard interior lineman is. He's also very quick and projects to either the 1-technique defensive tackle role or a 5-technique end role. He's likely never anything more than a reserve and special teams player, but those are important, cash-effective spots on the roster.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'4" Weight: 318 lbs
Arm Length: 33-3/4" Hand Measurement: 9-3/4"
40-yard dash: 4.99 sec. 10-yard split: 1.77 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.57 sec. Three-Cone Drill: 7.50 sec. Bench Reps: 20 reps
Vertical Jump: 31.0" Broad Jump: 8'5"
Stats (From CFB Stats)
2014: 13 Games Played, 17 Tackles, 5.5 Tackles for Loss, 3.0 Sacks, 4 QB Hurries, 1 Blocked Kick
2013: 14 Games Played, 16 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 0.5 Sacks, 6 QB Hurries, 1 Fumble Forced
2012: 12 Games Played, 26 Tackles, 7.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 3 QB Hurries, 2 Fumbles Forced, 2 Pass Deflections, 2 Blocked Kicks
2011: 13 Games Played, 6 Tackles, 1.5 Tackles for Loss, 1 Blocked Kicks, 1 Punt Return, 1 Yard
All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.
Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.
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