2011 NFL Mock Draft: How Do the Atlanta Falcons Amp Up Their Pass Rush?

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Justin Houston Produces Quite a Stir In 2011 NFL Mock Draft

There are concerns about Georgia's Justin Houston.

For one, he was suspended back in 2009. And he was an 3-4 outside linebacker last year, a 4-3 defensive end the year before.

Still, he is unbelievably talented and athletic and versatile.

Mel Kiper recently said that Houston is an ideal 4-3 defensive end, not a 3-4 outside linebacker. With more and more teams (especially the ones who are looking for backers) switching to 3-4 defenses, Houston will slide down a bit.

So for the Atlanta Falcons to draft him would be more than just a "good local story." They need more strength and power on their front four. John Abraham won't be around forever, and they're somewhat thin in terms of defensive end depth.

They're a 4-3 team so he'll fit right in. And since he is coming off a full season in the 3-4 at Georgia, he does have some abilities in pass coverage. The Falcons can take advantage of that, using creative blitzes from their outside linebackers while dropping Houston into coverage.

**For More Draft Coverage, Check Out Our 2011 NFL Draft Page.**
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB 2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT 3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB 4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR	17. New England Patiriots: Anthony Castonzo, OT 18. San Diego Chagers: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB 19. New York Giants: Mike Pouncey, OG 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB 6. Cleveland Browns: Von Miller, OLB 7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB 8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT	21. Kansans City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers, OLB 22. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, OT 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB 24. New Orleans Saints: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT 10. Washington Redskins: J.J. Watt, DE 11. Houston Texans: Robert Quinn, DE 12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan, DE	25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB 26. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Rudolph, TE 27. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Houston, OLB 28. New England Patriots: Adrian Clayborn, DE
13. Detroit Lions: Nate Solder, OT 14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR 15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram Jr.,RB 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE	29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod, OT 30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, DT 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Harris, CB 32. Green Bay Packers: Cameron Heyward, DE