Atlanta Falcons 2012 Mock Draft: Buying or Selling Matt Miller's Latest Picks

Matt Miller is an excellent analyst here at Bleacher Report and knows his stuff when it comes to draft prospects. He has a mock draft that was recently posted here. In this, we'll take a look at the prospects he has the Falcons selecting as well as some prospects that he has them passing up on.

We'll be rating his picks based on how well they fit the Falcons' current needs as well as how they project towards the scheme fit for Mike Nolan. We'll also look into whether they will fit the character that Thomas Dimitroff is looking for.

For those unfamiliar with the buying and selling idea, the picks will be either bought, meaning we will stand behind Matt on this one, or they will be sold, meaning we will give some better options based on who is available and the Falcons' needs.

The Falcons have quite a few free agency situations going on right now that could shape the draft in many ways. The most important of these are middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and cornerback Brent Grimes. The Falcons do have a lot of current needs. Going over the needs situation again:

Quarterbacks - Matt Ryan and John Parker Wilson

The Falcons need a true backup quarterback. They could look at veteran options like David Garrard or bring back Chris Redman.

Running Backs - Michael Turner, Jacquizz Rodgers and Dmitri Nance

The Falcons have a few good running backs here but a Jason Snelling, FB/RB type who can catch out of the backfield would be great.

Fullbacks - Ovie Mughelli and Mike Cox

Between Mughelli and Cox, the Falcons are set at FB.

Wide Receivers - Roddy White, Julio Jones, Kerry Meier, Kevin Cone and Drew Davis

The Falcons could use a true slot WR, a No. 4 WR and a return man here.

Tight Ends - Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Winterswyk and Tommy Gallarda

The Falcons need a good No. 2 TE who can create matchup issues and learn from Tony Gonzalez to be the long-term starter.

Offensive Tackles - Tyson Clabo, Will Svitek, Sam Baker and Kyle Jolly

The Falcons need a starting left tackle or a guy who can learn how to be one while Svitek starts for a year.

Offensive Guards - Justin Blalock, Mike Johnson, Garrett Reynolds and Andrew Jackson

Right guard is a huge need going into the 2012 season.

Centers - Joe Hawley, Corey Adams and Scott Albritton

Hawley could be the long-term answer but someone to compete with him immediately is needed.

Defensive Ends - Ray Edwards, Lawrence Sidbury and Cliff Matthews

The Falcons need a starting RDE and pass-rusher. No questions asked.

Defensive Tackles - Jonathan Babineaux, Corey Peters and Peria Jerry

Safe to say outside of depth the Falcons are set at DT.

Outside Linebackers - Sean Weatherspoon, Stephen Nicholas, Spencer Adkins, Robert James and Matt Hansen

Falcons are set at OLB outside of a depth/ST guy.

Middle Linebackers - Akeem Dent

The Falcons need to re-sign Curtis Lofton here.

Cornerbacks - Dunta Robinson, Dominique Franks, Chris Owens and Darrin Walls

The Falcons need to re-sign Grimes here, but after they do that it’s hard to tell how much Nolan likes the other guys.

Safeties - William Moore, Shann Schillinger, Suaesi Tuimaunei

The Falcons need a starting FS and a depth S. Ideally they draft a good backup and re-sign Decoud.

Specialists - K Matt Bryant and P/KOS Matt Bosher

Falcons are set here. Can bring in a street FA for long snapper or bring back Zelenka.

Sell: Pick 55, Atlanta Falcons: Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State

Sell! Sell! Sell!

This isn't a great pick considering the current situation that is going on with Brent Grimes and the ability of Mike Nolan to bring the potential out of his corners. The Falcons will not be letting the Pro Bowl corner leave Atlanta this offseason, and Nolan could see a lot of potential in Dominique Franks and Chris Owens, especially in his scheme where it's more about their physical mentality than their physical attributes. A couple of picks that will make more sense:

Kevin Zeitler, Guard, Wisconsin

Zeitler has all the talent in the world to be a starter in the NFL. He would make the perfect left guard in Koetter and Hill's new scheme.

Ben Jones, Center, Georgia

Jones would be the instant starter at center and would allow Hawley to take back his spot at right guard this year and learn from Hill.

Jared Crick, Defensive Tackle/End, Nebraska

Crick could be an interesting pick as a hybrid defensive tackle and defensive end for the Falcons in a Justin Tuck type role.

Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

Fleener could be too good to pass up for the Falcons. Gonzalez is done after this year and the Falcons would be best served to get his replacement.

Buy: Pick 86, Atlanta Falcons: Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami (FL)

Now this is a pick that is easy to get behind.

Vernon is a great pass-rusher and has the physical tools to be a good all-around defensive end in the NFL. However, starting out, the best fit for him is the pass situation rotational defensive end. He would rotate with Sidbury, Edwards and Matthews to begin with and could really give Atlanta some versatility scheme-wise as he could be a good fit for both a 3-4 and a 4-3.

Sell: Pick 150, Atlanta Falcons: Tauren Poole, RB, Tennessee

Now this is one that is a bit confusing. The Falcons already have a guy with 4.5 speed who is that all-around receiver and rusher in Jacquizz Rodgers. They have quite a few other needs and options they can go with here especially on the offensive line. The guys that make more sense:

David Molk, Center, Michigan

Would allow Hawley to slide to the RG spot and give Atlanta a center who has the strength and intelligence to be the starter for a long time.

Andrew Datko, Offensive Tackle, FSU

Before getting injured this past year, Datko had first-round talent at the left tackle spot. This could be a true steal and a guy who could be a long-term left tackle after learning from Svitek and Hill for a year.

Buy: Pick 183, Atlanta Falcons: Demario Davis, OLB, Arkansas State

Demario Davis is an interesting pick. He could be a long-term special teams guy along the lines of what Ike Reese was for the Eagles. He's a good backup for Sean Weatherspoon long term and could be the special teams captain because of his leadership and fire.

He fits the Dimitroff's mold and can be the guy who backs up both the SLB and WLB spots in the long term. Buy.

Sell: Pick 214, Atlanta Falcons: Cody Johnson, FB, Texas

SELL!!!

Hard to think that a fullback would be the pick here. The Falcons are switching offensive schemes to a new one that places much less emphasis on the fullback and the power scheme. Not to mention the Falcons have Mike Cox and Ovie Mughelli under contract and both guys are good NFL fullbacks. The Falcons could go many ways with this draft but fullback doesn't make any sense at all. Better options:

Darron Thomas, Quarterback, Oregon

Thomas is a good fit for a long-term option at backup QB. He played in a spread offense in college and has good leadership, bringing Oregon to a pair of Pac-10/12 titles.

Lance Lewis, Wide Receiver, East Carolina

Lewis is a good fit for a No. 4 wide receiver and Brian Finneran type third-down possession option.