Extra Target Or Shutdown Lineman? Falcons Draft Options

The Atlanta Falcons defense finally wore thin. The season's physicality and emotion took its toll on the defensive veterans. Consensus often states that Brooking, Milloy, and Abraham have valuable years left in the tank.

On the other hand, a formidable offensive line during the season from Atlanta finally got de-feathered by Berry and Dockett. If you listen closely, you can hear the Falcon's quarterback whisper the snap count. Alas, the team exceeded expectations and provided Coach Smith with an NFL honorary award. Where does the organization move from here with the 2009 draft?

Assuming we employ the most recent list of declarees combined with the suspected Atlanta draft position, we shall attempt to determine the feature picks for the Dirty Birds of the Dome. Atlanta will most likely have the 25th pick since they exited early in the playoffs. Obviously, the previous picks will cause a trickle-down effect on the subsequent ones, but we can perceive that the Falcons' primary needs are defensive line and tight end. Considering the lack of depth along the defensive line with Babineaux and Grady toting the bill, we see many projections featuring BJ Raji from Boston College, Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska, and Terrence Cody from Alabama .

Brandon Pettigrew from Oklahoma State could also be an option to deepen Ryan's passing options. First, Ryan needs an offensive line to deliver comfort in the pocket if he is going to give up the tight end block. Jermaine Gresham has played with talent, and he is available at other positions. Such size and speed creates exhausting match-ups against confused defenses. Tight end is a need, but I am not sure if I want to trade BJ Raji, granted he falls he even near to the Falcons pick.

Could the Falcons find a free agent tight end that succeeds? Should they breed the talent of a young rookie looking to make a name for himself? After Brooking and Malloy and other veterans, the team needs to think development. Mr. Blank should keep investing his energy into Smith, Dimitroff, and young players that the organization hand picks with the upper-level thinking. Dimitroff's initial draft wasn't so bad...

In my opinion, especially after watching Oklahoma, the Falcons could use Gresham as a perfect trifecta with White and Jenkins. Raji would be, OH, so nice, but he may be gone.

Might I add, that this draft is quite loaded with talent at every position. Dimitroff coulnd't make a wrong move with the majority of these players. Let's take a look at the players that 'pros' rank their talent.

Atlanta will most like get 25; therefore; Lauranitis is out due to Lofton's sturdiness and youth. Tyson Jackson would be a quality addition to the Babineux-Grady run stop. Then again, Everette Brown could assist John Abraham on the pass rush.

The defensive line should be addressed unless there lay a talent like Gresham or Pettigrew. They ran offenses where they were targeted every drive.

We should also remember the 'diamond in the rough' pick. Dimitroff is a savvy general manager, and his peers realize that he could have something up his sleeve with a quality choice at a lower pick in the draft to boost the team.

Of course, they could always trade up and grab Gerald McCoy...

My money's on the Raji the Eagle.