What Positions Should the Atlanta Falcons Target in the 2015 NFL Draft?
Even if a team is leading a division like the Atlanta Falcons are, a 5-8 record is going to show positions that need to be targeted for the upcoming NFL draft. Atlanta has needs throughout the roster, but there are six spots that truly need some attention.
Assuming some players will be coming back, the biggest needs look to be at pass-rusher and linebacker on defense, while the worst needs on offense are a starting running back and tight end. Despite solid offensive line and nickel cornerback play, the Falcons could use someone to compete or be solid depth there as well.
Bell-Cow Running Back
1 of 6
Contracts Expiring/Potential Cuts After the 2014 Season: Steven Jackson, Antone Smith, Jacquizz Rodgers
With Steven Jackson looking highly likely to be cut after underperforming the past two seasons and being 32 years old, the Falcons will need to find a true workhorse back. Antone Smith and Jacquizz Rodgers are both talented players, but neither is under contract or a workhorse for the future. They are both change-of-pace running backs who provide specialties that other tailbacks don't as receivers and blockers.
But what the Falcons really need is a true runner. They need someone with great vision. They need someone with some power for those runs up the middle. They need someone who isn't afraid to take on a role as a blocker in the passing game. They need someone who can learn how to catch out of the backfield if they don't already have that asset in their repertoire.
Most of all, they need that primary running back who can give them a complimentary running game despite just average blocking up front. People will clamor for Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley in the first round, and they are excellent running backs, but the Falcons need to focus on more pressing needs early in the draft. If a guy like Ameer Abdullah or Jay Ajayi is available in the third, they should pick one of them at that point.
Atlanta could also decide to double-dip and take a guy late in the draft with the potential to be something special despite limited college production. A guy like Cameron Artis-Payne from Auburn would be an interesting fit for the Falcons on the early third day. However, Synjyn Days from Georgia Tech could be something special with the right opportunity.
Ideal Options
Round 1: Todd Gurley, Georgia
Rounds 2-3: Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Rounds 4-5: Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn
Rounds 6-7: Synjyn Days, Georgia Tech
Pass-Catching Tight End
2 of 6
Contracts Expiring/Potential Cuts After the 2014 Season: Bear Pascoe
After Tony Gonzalez retired following the 2013 season, it was obvious that the Falcons needed to find a way to replace him. While they did open up their offense a bit more with some more four-wide receiver sets, they have been unable to have a consistent threat to the middle of the field that they had with Gonzalez. They also haven't had a consistent third-down option without him over the middle.
Bear Pascoe's contract runs out after the 2014 season, but the Falcons have a long-term blocking tight end in Levine Toilolo. The Stanford graduate has been nothing like his former Cal-educated mentor. He's got just 24 catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns, which is ridiculously disappointing compared to the expectations set for him before the season started.
For Atlanta to have their best possible passing game, getting someone like Devin Funchess—who is basically a tight end in name only, as his blocking is atrocious—would be a great move. The Falcons don't need someone who is going to be an amazing blocker when they have Levine Toilolo to be that in-line guy. In fact, running with Funchess as a bigger slot guy and having Toilolo at in-line tight end could be helpful.
They'd have an ideal pass-catcher who could stretch the seam while having a blocking tight end lined up off the tackle. Other options that could make a ton of sense are guys like Clive Walford out of Miami, E.J. Bibbs out of Iowa State and quarterback convert Blake Bell from Oklahoma.
Ideal Options
Round 1: Devin Funchess, Michigan
Rounds 2-3: Clive Walford, Miami
Rounds 4-5: E.J. Bibbs, Iowa State
Rounds 6-7: Blake Bell, Oklahoma
Offensive Line Depth at Guard and Tackle
3 of 6
Contracts Expiring/Potential Cuts After the 2014 Season: Sam Baker, Gabe Carimi, Cameron Bradfield, Jonathan Scott, Mike Johnson, Harland Gunn
Atlanta currently has multiple guards, tackles and centers under contract in 2015 who should be competing or maintaining their starting roles. Sam Baker could be one of the few players cut next season, while Gabe Carimi, Cameron Bradfield, Jonathan Scott, Mike Johnson and Harland Gunn just have their contracts run out.
Atlanta has four of its five future starters, though. Jake Matthews is the franchise at left tackle. Ryan Schraeder has shown that he's worth starting at right tackle as well. Add in Joe Hawley at center and Jon Asamoah at right guard, and the Falcons have three starters who will be 27 at the start of 2015 in Hawley, Asamoah and Schraeder. Matthews is just 23 as well.
In fact, the only player who is scheduled to be on the Falcons roster in 2015 along the offensive line is Justin Blalock at 31. He's got a couple more good years, but the Falcons do need some depth along the offensive line behind him and Asamoah. Adding a swing tackle instead of just handing the job to Lamar Holmes wouldn't hurt either. James Stone is a solid backup center too.
Ideally, the Falcons take a mid- to late-round guard and a mid-late round tackle. Shaq Mason from Georgia Tech in the fifth round would be a great fit for a long-term solution at left guard. Bobby Hart from Florida State is the kind of guy who's a great prospect despite having a middling college career.
As a former 5-star talent, per Scout, he'll be just 21 when the season starts in 2015 and has all the tools for offensive line coach Mike Tice to work with.
Ideal Options
Round 1: La'El Collins, Louisiana State
Rounds 2-3: Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M
Rounds 4-5: Shaq Mason, Georgia Tech
Rounds 6-7: Bobby Hart, Florida State
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Dynamic Pass-Rusher at Either Defensive End or Outside Linebacker
4 of 6
Contracts Expiring/Potential Cuts After the 2014 Season: Osi Umenyiora and Kroy Biermann
Osi Umenyiora should be retiring after his career has spanned a decade of excellent play in New York followed by a pair of mediocre seasons in Atlanta. Kroy Biermann has been mediocre for the Falcons in 2014 after missing the majority of the 2013 season. He should be allowed to walk after the season ends.
That means the Falcons would have just Jonathan Massaquoi, Stansly Maponga and Tyler Starr under contract with a likely addition of Jacques Smith from the practice squad. However, Atlanta needs to add a pair of monster pass-rushers. The biggest need on defense is definitely pass-rusher as the Falcons have one of the worst pass rushes in the entire NFL.
They have the least amount of sacks in the NFL this season at just 15. They also need to hit the quarterback a lot more than they have been. The best way to improve the Falcons pass rush would be to add a dynamic monster pass-rusher like what John Abraham was. They need multiple to team with Massaquoi and whomever makes the roster out of the Maponga, Starr and Smith grouping.
If Atlanta can get two of the following, it could have a rotation on the edge that wouldn't just be able to stuff the run, it could finally get after the passer. The only real question is whether the Falcons need a 4-3 defensive end pairing with a potential free agent or whether they need a 3-4 outside linebacker who can pair with Massaquoi.
Ideal Options
Round 1: Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Rounds 2-3: Bud Dupree, Kentucky
Rounds 4-5: Preston Smith, Mississippi State
Rounds 6-7: Xzavier Dickson, Alabama
Coverage Linebacker
5 of 6
Contracts Expiring/Potential Cuts After the 2014 Season: Nate Stupar, James Anderson, Sean Weatherspoon
Paul Worrilow has been a solid starting linebacker, but the Falcons are asking him to do way too much. With Marquis Spruill coming off injured reserve next season and Joplo Bartu and Prince Shembo also returning, the Falcons have some young linebackers to build off of.
However, they need someone to help with coverage. They haven't had a great coverage linebacker since the early 2000s when Keith Brooking was in his prime. They need to bring in someone who can cover tight ends and running backs effectively and take some of the pressure off of Worrilow in the middle.
Ideal options will be smart linebackers who understand how to play the run and play with leverage against receivers. Hopefully, the Falcons will decide to bring back Sean Weatherspoon and the veteran linebacker returns to full health and strength and stays there.
But don't hold your breath for that to happen. Atlanta needs to take a look at some of the following options, as they are playmaking coverage linebackers who would come in and compete with Spruill, Shembo and Bartu for playing time.
Ideal Options
Round 1: Shaq Thompson, Washington
Rounds 2-3: Jake Ryan, Michigan
Rounds 4-5: Paul Dawson, Texas Christian
Rounds 6-7: Michael Orakpo, Texas State
Nickel Cornerback
6 of 6
Contracts Expiring/Potential Cuts After the 2014 Season: Robert McClain, Javier Arenas, Josh Wilson
Nickel cornerback isn't a huge need for teams. However, the Falcons will be losing all three of their current nickel corners due to their contracts expiring. With just Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant under contract for 2015 and beyond, the Falcons need someone to team with them.
They could easily re-sign a couple of the corners who have expiring contracts, but they would be better off drafting one or even two cornerbacks to learn the role long term and compete with the guy they drafted this year in Ricardo Allen.
Nickel cornerback has become a starting role for the Falcons defense under Mike Nolan as they run nickel over 65 percent of plays. Ideally, the Falcons will have a playmaking nickel corner who can add to the turnover-creating potential that the rest of the secondary has.
This isn't a spot the Falcons need to spend their first-round pick on, though. The most ideal selection for this would be make in the fourth round or later. Atlanta getting someone to develop and add to its depth is always essential, and this year's cornerback class provides a ton of those nickel options.
Ideal Options
Round 1: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Rounds 2-3: Senquez Golson, Ole Miss
Rounds 4-5: DeShazor Everett, Texas A&M
Rounds 6-7: Damian Swann, Georgia
All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. 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, the NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
