Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft: Instant Contributors They Can Find in Every Round
When it comes to the NFL draft, teams will always look for the long-term impacts. However, with the Atlanta Falcons trying to improve from a 6-10 season, they need some instant impacts 2014 just didn't provide. New head coach Dan Quinn will help general manager Thomas Dimitroff sort through talent.
They need talent all over the team, but more playing time might be found on the offensive side of the ball. The Falcons could use a pair of running backs, a tight end, a starting left guard, a starting free safety, a nickel corner and some depth all over. Not all of this will be found this year, but at least some of it will be.
Round 1, No. 8 Overall: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
1 of 8
Atlanta needs to spend its No. 8 overall selection on someone who can instantly impact the team as the starting Leo defensive end. Despite what looks like a couple of off-field issues for Randy Gregory, he would be an ideal fit on the field for the Falcons if they feel he checks out.
If he checks out, the Falcons could start Gregory as the Leo defensive end and have him attack the edge on both run and pass downs. He'd be solely responsible for an outside gap every play and could do well in a 1-gap edge-setting role in the run game.
His biggest benefit both short and long term is his ridiculously good first step combined with an ideal speed rush off the edge. He's similar to either John Abraham or Simeon Rice, and if he can give the Falcons even two-thirds of the results those two gave their teams, they would feel like geniuses.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'4-7/8" Weight: 238 pounds
Arm Length: 34" Hand Measurement: 10"
40-yard dash: 4.64 sec. 10-yard split: 1.60 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.16 sec. 3-cone Drill: 6.79 sec. Bench Reps: 24 reps
Vertical Jump: 36.5" Broad Jump: 10'5"
Stats
2014: 11 Games Played, 54 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for Loss, 7.0 Sacks, 10 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Forced, 3 Pass Deflections, 2 Blocked Kicks
2013: 13 Games Played, 65 Tackles, 16.0 Tackles for Loss, 9.5 Sacks, 15 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Forced, 1 Fumble Recovered, 1 Pass Deflection, 1 Defensive Touchdown
2012: Redshirted at Arizona Western Community College
2011: Played at Arizona Western Community College
Round 2, No. 42 Overall: OG Ali Marpet, Hobart
2 of 8
Mike Person, Jacob Smith, Harland Gunn and Sam Baker look like the top left guards in Atlanta's offense right now. That screams need to anyone just giving a cursory glance to that list. The Falcons could solidify their left guard spot for the next 10 years if they took Ali Marpet at 42.
Much like Justin Blalock back in 2007, Marpet could come right in and start and be a perfect fit for the offensive scheme. Unlike Blalock, Marpet is ideal for the zone-blocking scheme with his size and athleticism. His only real drawback comes from his lack of playing major competition.
However, that's nothing that should be held against him. He dominated at the Division III level and didn't look to miss a beat when he was at the Senior Bowl. Atlanta could use someone with his on-field talent locking down a spot in between Joe Hawley and Jake Matthews in 2015 and beyond.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'3-7/8" Weight: 307 pounds
Arm Length: 33-3/8" Hand Measurement: 10"
40-yard dash: 4.98 sec. 10-yard split: 1.74 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.47 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.33 sec. Bench Reps: 30 reps
Vertical Jump: 30.5" Broad Jump: 9'0"
Stats
2014: 13 Games Started at Left Tackle
2013: 11 Games Started at Left Tackle
2012: 13 Games Started at Left Tackle
2011: 6 Games Started at Guard and Tackle
Round 3, No. 73 Overall: TE Clive Walford, Miami
3 of 8
Levine Toilolo was terrible in 2014, so the Falcons went out and signed Jacob Tamme to be a mentor for him and Tony Moeaki to compete with him. They shouldn't stop there, though. Clive Walford from Miami could be a much better pro than he was a college player.
He fits in well as an in-line tight end who could come in right away and compete for the starting role. He's a good blocker and above-average receiver with potential to be a star as a receiver. The Falcons would have someone who would fit into their offense perfectly and be a big target over the middle.
With Tamme and Moeaki signed to short-term deals, the Falcons need a true tight end of the future to learn and grow with Matt Ryan. Walford can be that guy and more. He has potential to turn into the next Alge Crumpler if he's given a legitimate shot within the offense.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'4" Weight: 251 pounds
Arm Length: 34" Hand Measurement: 10-1/4"
40-yard dash: 4.79 sec. 10-yard split: 1.66 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.57 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.32 sec. Bench Reps: 20 reps
Vertical Jump: 30.5" Broad Jump: 10'0"
Stats
2014: 12 Games Played, 44 Catches, 676 Yards, 7 Touchdowns, 1 Tackle
2013: 13 Games Played, 34 Catches, 454 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
2012: 12 Games Played, 25 Catches, 451 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles
2011: 12 Games Played, 18 Catches, 172 Yards, 1 Touchdown
2010: Redshirted
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Round 4, No. 107 Overall: S Gerod Holliman, Louisville
4 of 8
With the Falcons not having a set starter at free safety, adding a playmaking, intelligent athlete to the spot wouldn't hurt at all. Gerod Holliman is a very intelligent, playmaking safety who has great athleticism. Even fighting an injury, he posted the measurables below.
To start out 2015, he would compete for the starting role with Dezmen Southward and Charles Godfrey. Ideally, he'd be able to play on special teams at the absolute worst. He could come right in and add another safety who could make plays for the Falcons.
His long-term fit would be as a starter at either safety spot. Patrolling center field and making plays on the back end would be a nice fit for him, but so would playing the underneath robber role, and with his high football intelligence the Falcons could easily use him in either spot.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 5'11-3/4" Weight: 218 pounds
Arm Length: 32" Hand Measurement: 9-1/2"
40-yard dash: 4.65 sec. 10-yard split: 1.64 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.45 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.08 sec. Bench Reps: 17 reps
Vertical Jump: 27.0" Broad Jump: 9'1"
Stats
2014: 13 Games Played, 44 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sacks, 14 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Forced, 3 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown
2013: 11 Games Played, 16 Tackles, 1.0 Tackles for Loss, 3 Pass Deflections
2012: 3 Games Played, 2 Tackles, Played in just three games before redshirting due to a shoulder injury.
Round 5, No. 146 Overall: RB Zach Zenner, South Dakota State
5 of 8
Atlanta needs a true all-around tailback with some power to complement Devonta Freeman within the confines of new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's offense. Zach Zenner is an experienced running back from South Dakota State who plays well within a zone scheme.
Starting out, Zenner should be the short-yardage and goal-line back who complements Freeman in the same way T.J. Duckett complemented Warrick Dunn back in the mid-2000s. The Falcons could combine Zenner and Freeman to have a running game that gains more than 2,000 yards a year.
Zenner's long-term fit comes potentially as either a running back or a fullback on primary downs. A fullback in Shanahan's offense still gets some burn as both a receiver and runner, but if Freeman proves he's the closest thing to Dunn since Dunn retired, the Falcons would be best using Zenner in Duckett's role.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 5'11-1/2" Weight: 223 pounds
Arm Length: 32" Hand Measurement: 9-5/8"
40-yard dash: 4.60 sec. 10-yard split: 1.64 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.14 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.08 sec. Bench Reps: 25 reps
Vertical Jump: 41.0" Broad Jump: 10'1"
Stats
2014: 14 Games Played, 337 Carries, 2,019 Yards, 22 Touchdowns, 28 Catches, 331 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles
2013: 14 Games Played, 351 Carries, 2,015 Yards, 23 Touchdowns, 21 Catches, 251 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
2012: 12 Games Played, 285 Carries, 1,988 Yards, 13 Touchdowns, 27 Catches, 183 Yards, 0 Touchdowns
2011: 11 Games Played, 107 Carries, 470 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 18 Catches, 130 Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 31 Kick Returns, 754 Yards, 7 Tackles
2010: Redshirted
Round 6, No. 185 Overall: WR DeVante Davis, UNLV
6 of 8
The Falcons need someone to be a short-term complement to Roddy White and Julio Jones while also developing into a good possession No. 2 to take pressure off of Jones in the red zone. DeVante Davis could be all of that and has the potential to be more.
While Davis isn't going to be relied on early as a starter, he does need to come in and prove he can play in the red zone and off the edge so either Jones or White can line up in the slot in three and four wide receiver sets. He's got the potential to be a top possession receiver in the NFL.
As a long-term fit, Davis can be the perfect possession foil to Jones. He's someone who can work the intermediate parts of the field. He's a big body to target and could be an ideal red-zone wide receiver in sets with Jones and White for Ryan to target.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'2-7/8" Weight: 220 pounds
Arm Length: 32-3/8" Hand Measurement: 9-1/2"
40-yard dash: 4.53 sec. 10-yard split: 1.58 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.12 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.25 sec. Bench Reps: 16 reps
Vertical Jump: 35.5" Broad Jump: 10'1"
Stats
2014: 8 Games Played, 34 Catches, 599 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles
2013: 13 Games Played, 87 Catches, 1,290 Yards, 14 Touchdowns
2012: 13 Games Played, 61 Catches, 854 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles
2011: 11 Games Played, 4 Catches, 42 Yards
Round 7, No. 225 Overall: CB Nick Marshall, Auburn
7 of 8
The Falcons need a nickel cornerback. They need someone who can come right in and compete with Phillip Adams and Ricardo Allen while also espousing the same kind of traits most Dan Quinn-style cornerbacks have—tall, long, quick and physical.
Nick Marshall is a great fit for all of that, even if he doesn't help the defense instantly. He should be a great special teams fit early on, and as a quarterback in college he shouldn't have the same kind of abuse on his body most cornerbacks have when they get to the NFL.
If he can develop to his full potential, Marshall could project as a similar player to Byron Maxwell or Brandon Browner. His length, physicality and quickness will only help him stand out once he gets to the NFL. He may not have the recovery speed of Robert Alford or Desmond Trufant, but he could be just as good.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'1-1/2" Weight: 207 pounds
Arm Length: 32-1/8" Hand Measurement: 9-1/4"
40-yard dash: 4.54 sec. 10-yard split: 1.60 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.15 sec. 3-cone Drill: 6.96 sec.
Vertical Jump: 37.5" Broad Jump: 10'4"
Stats
2014: 13 Games Played, 178-of-293 (60.8 percent), 2,532 Yards, 20 Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 153 Carries, 798 Yards, 11 Touchdowns, 2 Catches, 16 Yards
2013: 13 Games Played, 142-of-239 (59.4 percent), 1,976 Yards, 14 Touchdowns, 6 Interceptions, 172 Carries, 1,068 Yards, 12 Touchdowns, 1 Catch, 35 Yards
2012: Played at a Junior College
2011: 13 Games Played, 5 Tackles
Round 7, No. 249 Overall: RB Synjyn Days, Georgia Tech
8 of 8
Yes, this would be the second running back selected in the draft for the Falcons. However, they do need to add two running backs to their current stable that includes Devonta Freeman, Antone Smith and Jerome Smith. Synjyn Days is more of a fullback/tailback hybrid based on his role from college.
From the start, he'd be a core-four special teams player (one who plays on kickoffs, punts, punt returns and kick returns) just like Jason Snelling was coming out of Virginia. And much like Snelling, Days could be a power inside runner for the Falcons in goal-line situations early in his career.
His long-term fit could be as high as the starting running back. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shananan doesn't discriminate against late-round drafted running backs and could turn Days into the next Alfred Morris if the Falcons select the hometown product.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
Height: 6'0-1/2" Weight: 235 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.63 sec. 10-yard split: 1.60 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.33 sec. 3-cone Drill: 6.99 sec. Bench Reps: 22 reps
Vertical Jump: 31.0" Broad Jump: 9'8"
Stats
2014: 14 Games Played, 157 Carries, 924 Yards, 9 Touchdowns, 3 Catches, 33 Yards, 1 Touchdown
2013: 13 Games Played, 0-of-1 (0.0 percent), 27 Carries, 93 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 4 Catches, 48 Yards
2012: 14 Games Played, 0-of-1 (0.0 percent), 1 Interception, 23 Carries, 142 Yards, 1 Touchdown
2011: 6 Games Played, 8-of-12 (66.7 percent), 198 Yards, 48 Carries, 237 Yards, 4 Touchdowns
2010: Redshirted
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.
Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
