NFL Combine 2012: Defensive Prospects Who Improved Their Stock for Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons have quite a few holes this offseason.

There are a few prospects that were already good scheme fits for the Atlanta Falcons but had questions that needed to be answered before the Falcons could make the selection a good fit for the team.

The Falcons' biggest needs before any re-signings or free agency on defense are defensive end, reserve outside linebacker, middle linebacker, cornerback and free safety. The candidates that make the most sense to fill these holes, and who raised their stock with the combines, are DE Jake Bequette, OLB Demario Davis, MLB Chris Galippo, CB Jamell Fleming, and S Justin Bethel.

DE Jake Bequette, University of Arkansas

6’4-5/8” 274 pounds, 32” arms and 9-1/4” hands

40 yard - 4.82, Vertical Jump - 34”, Broad Jump - 9’5”, Short shuttle - 4.07, 3-cone drill - 6.90

Bequette was a highly productive defensive end in the 4-3 at Arkansas. The biggest questions coming in though were his speed and his ability to stunt. His ability to stunt inside will still be a question.

That being said, he proved he has the speed and explosion off the line to be a good pass rusher in the NFL. He would fit best for the Falcons as the starter at LDE and allow Ray Edwards to slide over to the RDE spot. 

OLB Demario Davis, Arizona State University

6’2” 235 pounds, 32” arms and 9” hands

40 yard - 4.61, Bench Reps - 32, Vertical Jump - 38.5”, Broad Jump - 10’4”, Short shuttle - 4.28, 3-cone drill - 7.19

Davis started out as an undrafted free agent type of player from the get go, but he answered the questions about his natural athletic ability at the combine.

He proved he has the quickness for the NFL and the strength needed to shed blocks.

Now he is a potential 5th rounder. He fits best as a long term ST guy and backup to Spoon.

MLB Chris Galippo, University of Southern California

6’1-1/2” 241 pounds, 30-1/2” arms and 9-1/4” hands

40 yard - 4.81, Bench Reps - 19, Vertical Jump - 29.5”, Broad Jump - 8’11”, Short shuttle - 4.10, 3-cone drill - 6.90

Galippo is a guy that had to answer questions about his straight line speed as many only projected him to a 5.0 40 yard dash.

Coming in a full .2 seconds lower helps his stock and should allow a lot more teams to see that he can play in the 4-3 and the 3-4. His best fit would be as a backup ILB and he could be a good fit for special teams in that time as well.

CB Jamell Fleming, University of Oklahoma

5’10-5/8” 206 pounds, 31-1/4” arms and 9-1/2” hands

40 yard - 4.53, Bench Reps - 23, Vertical Jump - 34”, Broad Jump - 10’5”, Short shuttle - 3.97, 3-cone drill - 6.71

Very productive corner from Oklahoma, he was a 5th or 6th round prospect but had questions about his straight line ability and his change of direction skills. He answered those questions with some of the best agility numbers for any corner in the draft.

Fleming would be a great fit as someone to compete for the nickel spot. 

FS Justin Bethel, Presbyterian University

5’11-5/8” 200 pounds, 32-3/8” arms and 9-3/4” hands

40 yard - 4.58, Bench Reps - 19, Vertical Jump - 39.5”, Broad Jump - 10’11”, Short shuttle - 4.30, 3-cone drill - 6.79

Bethel is a guy who can play FS, SS and CB. Had questions coming in about his versatility, but proved that he has the quickness and the drive to play CB, FS or SS.

He will fit best in Nolan's defense as a FS/SS and ST player. Best draft position is the 6th round.