Projecting Roles for Each Atlanta Falcons Rookie Draft Pick

The Atlanta Falcons had a small draft class this year with just a few picks. However, this class should be extremely productive, with the likes of Peter Konz, Lamar Holmes, Bradie Ewing and Jonathan Massaquoi all looking to impact early.

The Falcons will wind up with one of the better classes from the 2012 draft, and while it won't be the impact players at skill positions like wide receiver and running back, the Falcons will benefit all around from the blue-collar positions they drafted.

2nd-Round Pick: OL Peter Konz

Projected Role All Season: Starting Right Guard

Peter Konz was selected in the second round. Most outlets have claimed for him to be a center, but the Falcons have been working him at both center and guard with the intention of him to start at right guard and be an emergency center. Konz has a large frame, and his height (6'5") could make it prohibitive for him to be a long-term center in the NFL.

However, he has excellent size for a guard at 6'5", 315 lbs and has the frame to get even bigger and stronger than he is. The Falcons have the long-term ability to have a pair of guards in Konz and Blalock that will be near the top of the league at their position.

3rd-Round Pick: OT Lamar Holmes

Projected Role Opening Day: Versatile backup at both tackle spots

Projected Role Midseason and Beyond: Starting Left Tackle, depending on Sam Baker's production

Lamar Holmes hasn't been able to practice since being selected in the third round of the 2012 draft.

However, he is still one of the better prospects for the Falcons' long-term left tackle problem. Sam Baker has been a complete disappointment for Atlanta and has been one of the worst pass-blocking left tackles in the NFL since he was drafted.

Holmes will start the season backing up both the left and right tackle spots, and depending on how well he picks up the new scheme and how poorly Baker does, Holmes could end up as the starter at left tackle.

Holmes is very similar to Andrew Whitworth of the Bengals and comes in as an effective, yet raw, pass-blocker with a huge frame (6'6", 330 lbs) and long arms (35.25") to keep defenders away from his body.

5th-Round Pick: FB Bradie Ewing

Projected Role All Season: Starting Fullback

With Ovie Mughelli about to cost $3 million towards the 2012 cap and coming off of an ACL and MCL injury to his right knee, it was time to replace him.

The Falcons decided to reach back into the Wisconsin pot and bring in Bradie Ewing, the paving lead blocker of the Badgers. However, unlike Mughelli, Ewing has receiving skills and the ability to be used as an H-back in the offense as well.

Ewing should end up beating out Mike Cox for the starting fullback role, and he could end up being the only true fullback carried on the roster. With Snelling also able to play fullback, the role for Ewing will be diminished early on. However, he should still see his fair share of snaps his rookie season.

5th-Round Pick: DE Jonathan Massaquoi

Projected Role Opening Day to Mid-season: Rotational Defensive End, fifth in rotation

Projected Role End of Season: Rotational Defensive End, fourth in rotation

Jonathan Massaquoi is a top-level pass-rusher from the college ranks who will come in and compete for playing time right away.

He had bulked up to around 275 pounds before his redshirt junior year, and it led to a decrease in production. Now, he has lost weight and slimmed down to the more productive weight of 260 from his redshirt sophomore year, when he had 12 sacks.

He will be competing with Biermann, Sidbury and Matthews for playing time in the 2012 season and should be able to earn at least the fifth spot in the rotation over Matthews.

However, as the season progresses, it wouldn't shock to see Massaquoi end up moving up in the rotation over Biermann or Sidbury due to scheme versatility.

6th-Round Pick: S Charles Mitchell

Projected Role Opening Day: Primary reserve at free safety and special teams player

Projected Role Mid-season and Beyond: Primary reserve at both safety spots and special teams player

Mitchell is one of the quicker, more intelligent safeties from the 2012 draft. While he wasn't going to be an NFL starter any time soon, the Falcons took him with the intention of using him as a backup for both the free and strong safety spots long-term. He will come right in and back up the free safety spot and be an asset on special teams.

With his intelligence, Mitchell will likely stick best as a free safety over a strong safety because it is one of the more intellectually demanding spots. As a team captain in college, he also has the leadership needed to be the man who makes sure everyone is set properly in the defense.

7th-Round Pick: DT Travian Robertson

Projected Role Opening Day: Practice squad

Projected Role Mid-season and Beyond: Depending on injuries, will end up either in the fourth rotation spot at defensive tackle or still on the practice squad.

Travian Robertson was drafted very late in the 2012 draft and isn't expected to come right in and be a contributor.

He has been impressing the coaching staff with his strength and size combination, and he will be in a battle for a roster spot with Vance Walker. Robertson should end up in the rotation by the end of the year, but expect him to start the year out on the practice squad.