Best-Case Scenario for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2012 NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons have six picks in this year's draft, and the best-case scenario at every pick would be to get someone who fits the schemes and is a true steal at the spot.

Atlanta had that situation happen in 2008 with Curtis Lofton, a projected first-rounder slip. They also had it happen in 2009 with both William Moore and Lawrence Sidbury slipping to their second and fourth-round picks, as they were both projected as early second-round picks.

Very rarely do these situations occur, but the following would be the absolute best situation.

2nd Round Pick (No. 55 Overall)

Kelechi Osemele

Left Tackle

Iowa State University

Falcons fans are looking for that left tackle to be the franchise tackle and Atlanta could surprise at the pick. Osemele has played left tackle, both guard spots and right tackle for the Cyclones for four years and has been a co-captain.

He's the typical Thomas Dimitroff character selection and will remind a lot of people of a quicker Tyson Clabo, but he has the versatility to play four spots on the line and could be the starter at left tackle. Osemele is being rumored as a lower first to early second-round selection at this point in the process.

3rd Round Pick (No. 84 Overall)

Dwayne Allen

Tight End

Clemson University

Dwayne Allen is a beastly tight end who could slip to the third round because of a poor combine performance. However, he is easily an early second-round talent and should remind a lot of Falcons fans of another 6'3" 255-pound tight end the Falcons have had at one time: Alge Crumpler.

He's a good blocker all around and can also run the seam routes with ease and effectiveness. Allen also has a tendency to catch everything thrown his way and should be able to be moved around the formation as a TE, FB and H-back in multiple situations.

5th Round Pick (No. 157 Overall)

Antonio Allen

Safety

University of South Carolina

The South Carolina safety has been rumored as anywhere from a third to a fifth-round pick. With left tackle and tight end being taken care of earlier in the draft, it wouldn't be surprising to see Antonio Allen as the pick in the fifth if he is there.

Allen is a great fit for the big nickel role as he has played a very similar role for the Gamecocks. He would step right in and take on the bigger wide receivers and even some tight ends. Allen would also provide solid depth behind William Moore.

6th Round Pick (No. 192 Overall)

Tommy Streeter

Wide Receiver

University of Miami

Tommy Streeter could go as high as the second or as low as the seventh. It just depends on who will end up taking him. The Falcons would be a good fit for him as he could come right in and be the player who finally fills the role Brian Finneran left in his retirement.

Streeter is 6'5", 219 pounds and one of the fastest players in the draft running a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash. However, he has issues with his route running and consistency. Should he get selected by the Falcons he would be a true steal this late and would add another element to the offense.

7th Round Pick (No. 229 Overall)

Tyler Nielsen

Linebacker

University of Iowa

The Falcons need some depth at the outside linebacker spots. Nielson can play all three linebacker spots and is expected to be selected anywhere from the fourth round to the seventh round. Nielson has all the tools to be a long-term depth player and should contribute on special teams.

7th Round Pick (No. 249 Overall)

Nicolas Jean-Baptiste

Defensive Tackle

Baylor University

Jean-Baptiste is one of the few guys who could go anywhere in the draft. He's a 6'2" 335-pound player who can play in the 4-3 and the 3-4, and he would allow the Falcons to play both schemes very easily. Nicolas is a penetrating defensive tackle with a ton of bulk and his versatility is something Nolan will want to see in his defense.