10 NFL Draft Prospects Every Atlanta Falcons Fan Should Know About

Atlanta needs some talent to rebound from it's horrible season in 2013. The top needs will be filled through the draft. However, there are a few guys who Falcons fans need to know about who they may not even know exist at this time.

When looking for these talents, people have to realize that Atlanta looks for a specific type of player. They also have to understand that Atlanta coaching the Senior Bowl will have a guy higher on the Falcons' board than on other teams just because they know what he can do first hand. 

The following players all fit what Atlanta likes to do as a team. More than that, they would all be excellent additions to help with toughness, explosion and any other Falcons buzzword you have ever heard them go with throughout the years.

RB Kapri Bibbs, Colorado State, 5'11", 205 Pounds

Say hello to the best running back in the 2014 NFL draft. Sure, the Falcons don't need to spend an early pick on a running back. However, if Kapri Bibbs is there in the fourth round and Atlanta has a compensatory pick, they could easily take Bibbs and throw him in their scheme.

Bibbs has shown that he's explosive as a pure running back and would be able to compete for a starting job after Steven Jackson is out of Atlanta. Worst-case scenario, he would take Josh Vaughan's job as a benchwarmer in every game.

Career Stats

2013: 14 Games Played, 281 Carries, 1741 Yards, 31 Touchdowns, 8 Catches, 59 Yards, 3 Tackles

2012: Spent at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colo.

2011: Spent at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colo.

WR Jeff Janis, Saginaw Valley State, 6'3", 220 Pounds

When it comes to the Falcons receiving corps, it's Julio Jones, Harry Douglas and Roddy White and then no one. So, a legitimately talented mid-to-late round receiving talent makes a ton of sense for the Falcons to add. Especially one they would coach at the Senior Bowl.

Jeff Janis from Saginaw Valley State is someone who could take the Senior Bowl and turn it into an audition for a job with the Falcons. At 6'3", he's got the same kind of length Julio Jones has. However, he doesn't have the same kind of speed or explosion. That being said, Atlanta could at least get Brian Finneran in his prime type of production out of him.

Career Stats

2013: 12 Games Played, 83 Catches, 1,572 Yards, 14 Touchdowns, 4 Carries, 49 Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 5 Kick Returns, 71 Yards, 1 Tackle

2012: 11 Games Played, 106 Catches, 1,635 Yards, 17 Touchdowns, 1 Carry, 15 Yards, 1 Touchdown

2011: 11 Games Played, 48 Catches, 968 Yards, 14 Touchdowns, 2 Carries, 17 Yards

2010: 10 Games Played, 9 Catches, 130 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 2 Carries, 16 yards, 2 Kick Returns, 40 Yards, 1 Tackle

2009: Redshirted

TE Gator Hoskins, Marshall, 6'2", 245 Pounds

Atlanta needs to replace Tony Gonzalez, but there's a couple thoughts on how to do that. The first is to go out and get a big free agent. The second is to use last year's fourth-round pick in Levine Toilolo and team him with a talented H-back.

The best H-back in the draft is Gator Hoskins. He is an adept blocker, but his best asset is his red-zone ability as receiving threat. Hoskins understands how to find holes underneath zones. On top of that, there isn't a linebacker who can really hang with him.

Career Stats

2013: 14 Games Played, 50 Catches, 821 Yards, 15 Touchdowns, 1 Tackle

2012: 11 Games Played, 35 Catches, 374 Yards, 10 Touchdowns, 1 Tackle

2011: 13 Games Played, 14 Catches, 123 Yards, 3 Touchdowns

2010: 1 Game Played

OG Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA, 6'3", 305 Pounds

When it comes to the biggest hole in the Falcons' offensive line, right guard is the first thing that comes to mind. Xavier Su'a-Filo was both a left guard and a left tackle for the UCLA Bruins. However, at 6'3", he doesn't have the length to set the width of the pocket at left tackle.

At guard, he could easily help set the depth of the pocket and not cave the way Peter Konz and Garrett Reynolds did in 2013. Su'a-Filo is nasty on the field, but his off-field activity was almost literally being a choir boy, as his only games missed were because he went on a Mormon mission from 2010 to 2011.

Career Stats

2013: 14 Games Played, 14 Games Started at Left Tackle or Left Guard, depending on injuries

2012: 14 Games Played, 14 Games Started at Left Guard

2011: Went on a Mormon mission

2010: Went on a Mormon mission

2009: 13 Games Played, 13 Games Started at Left Tackle

OT Billy Turner, North Dakota State, 6'6", 315 Pounds

When it comes to the Falcons' offensive line, tackle and guard are the two biggest holes. But a guy like Billy Turner could destroy opponents while playing either spot. He's got the feet and athleticism to be an effective left tackle in the NFL, but also the punch and power to play guard as a road-grading run-blocker.

There will be questions about Turner's level of competition. However, with the Falcons coaching the North squad in the Senior Bowl, they could fall in love with Turner's talent. Turner could wind up as the Falcons' second-round pick and would be a franchise left tackle taken there.

Career Stats

2013: 15 Games Played, 15 Games Started at Left Tackle

2012: 15 Games Played, 15 Games Started at Left Tackle

2011: 14 Games Played, 14 Games Started at Left Tackle

2010: 13 Games Played, 12 Games Started at Left Tackle

DT Ryan Carrethers, Arkansas State, 6'2", 330 Pounds

The Falcons need to upgrade their defensive tackle position no matter what happens in free agency with Jonathan Babineaux, Peria Jerry and Corey Peters. They allowed too many inside runs, and there's quite a few talented defensive tackles in the 2014 draft.

However, the best fit for the Falcons is Arkansas State 1-technique Ryan Carrethers. He's a wide-bodied tackle who can take on double teams in the run game to help keep Paul Worrilow clean in the middle. On top of that, he provides some pocket-collapsing ability that would help Peters and Babineaux improve their sack totals.

Career Stats

2013: 13 Games Played, 93 Tackles, 8.0 Tackles for Loss, 4.0 Sacks, 3 QB Hurries, 2 Blocked Kicks, 1 Carry, 1 Yard, 1 Touchdown

2012: 13 Games Played, 68 Tackles, 3.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sacks

2011: 13 Games Played, 29 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.5 Sacks, 1 QB Hurry

2010: 10 Games Played, 6 Tackles

2009: Redshirted

DE/LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo, 6'3", 250 Pounds

A guy who could be the surprise pick for the Falcons in the first round is Khalil Mack. He's an exceptional pass-rusher who can play outside linebacker and line up at defensive end. He's an ideal fit for the Falcons' multiple-front schemes that Mike Nolan runs.

Mack can also play solid in coverage and make plays on the ball while in zones. The best part of his game is against the run, though. He's a natural edge-setter who would be a great fit for Mike Nolan's schemes as a starting strong-side linebacker in base sets and a pass-rusher in sub packages.

Career Stats

2013: 13 Games Played, 100 Tackles, 19.0 Tackles for Loss, 10.5 Sacks, 6 QB Hurries, 3 Interceptions, 5 Fumbles Forced, 7 Pass Deflections, 2 Defensive Touchdowns

2012: 11 Games Played, 94 Tackles, 20.0 Tackles for Loss, 8.0 Sacks, 4 QB Hurries, 4 Fumbles Forced, 2 Pass Deflections, 1 Blocked Kick

2011: 12 Games Played, 65 Tackles, 20.5 Tackles for Loss, 5.5 Sacks, 13 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 5 Fumbles Forced, 2 Pass Deflections, 1 Blocked Kick

2010: 12 Games Played, 68 Tackles, 14.5 Tackles for Loss, 4.5 Sacks, 8 QB Hurries, 2 Fumbles Forced, 10 Pass Deflections

2009: Redshirted

LB Telvin Smith, Florida State, 6'3", 220 Pounds

Atlanta needs another linebacker. Now, yes, they have Sean Weatherspoon, Paul Worrilow and Joplo Bartu, but adding a guy who can cover a tight end and stuff the run effectively would be the wisest decision that they could make.

Telvin Smith is a great fit for the Falcons, both on and off the field. His ability to snuff out runs on the edge would be an upgrade over what Bartu can do, but his overall abilities would make him a perfect backup for Weatherspoon if there's another injury to the star linebacker.

Career Stats

2013: 13 Games Played, 75 Tackles, 9.5 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 3 Interceptions, 1 Fumbles Recovered, 4 Pass Deflections, 2 Defensive Touchdowns

2012: 14 Games Played, 54 Tackles, 9.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 1 Fumble Forced, 3 Pass Deflections

2011: 12 Games Played, 42 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for Loss, 3.0 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Forced, 3 Pass Deflections

2010: 14 Games Played, 18 Tackles, 1.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sacks

CB Bashaud Breeland, Clemson, 6'0", 185 Pounds

Normally, when a guy declares, he should be in that draft class and should be picked high. Bashaud Breeland isn't that guy who should be picked very high. In fact, Breeland might even be a late-Day 3 selection when all is said and done.

While Breeland does have a suspension on his record, it's only because of a targeting penalty and the NCAA's insane rules about that particular penalty. The Clemson product would easily fit into Mike Nolan's defense as a Nickel corner and could be a unique fit in a "Wolverine" role that Nolan has run in previous stops.

Career Stats

2013: 13 Games Played, 56 Tackles, 5.0 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 1 QB Hurry, 4 Interceptions, 2 Fumbles Forced, 10 Pass Deflections

2012: 10 Games Played, 33 Tackles, 2.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sacks, 3 Pass Deflections

2011: 14 Games Played, 47 Tackles, 1.0 Tackles for Loss, 2 Interceptions, 4 Pass Deflections

2010: Redshirted

S Dion Bailey, Southern California, 6'0", 200 Pounds

Dion Bailey is the kind of player who Mike Nolan would fall in love with. He's not just a guy who can play safety. He's played linebacker, as well as Nickel corner, during his time with the Trojans. Nolan would be able to use him as an ideal candidate for his Nickel packages.

Bailey would also provide excellent depth behind William Moore and Thomas DeCoud in 2014 as someone who could legitimately challenge DeCoud for the starting job at free safety. He's likely a mid-round pick who could make an impact in some way early.

Career Stats

2013: 14 Games Played, 62 Tackles, 6.5 Tackles for Loss, 0.5 Sacks, 5 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Forced, 6 Pass Deflections

2012: 13 Games Played, 80 Tackles, 8.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sacks, 4 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Forced, 5 Pass Deflections

2011: 11 Games Played, 81 Tackles, 2.0 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 2 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Forced, 2 Pass Deflections

2010: Redshirted

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, College Football, NFL and NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.

Follow @ScottCarasik