2015 Atlanta Falcons' Potential Draft-Pick Profile: DL Arik Armstead

With the new defensive scheme, the Atlanta Falcons need to make sure they continue to bring in athletic freaks like Arik Armstead to help attack quarterbacks from the interior of the defense. The problem with taking someone like Armstead could be that there's too much investment into the position.

However, Armstead combined with Ra'Shede Hageman as the long-term options on the interior would be a tough defense to beat. Add in that the two of them could be starters sooner rather than later, and the pick of Armstead could make more sense. It will just depend on where he gets picked.

Arik Armstead

Position: Interior Defensive Lineman

School: University of Oregon

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 6'7 ⅛" Weight: 292 lbs

Arm Length: 33" Hand Measurement: 10"

40-yard dash: 5.10 sec. 10-yard split: 1.76 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.53 sec. Three-Cone Drill: 7.57 sec. Bench Reps: 24 reps

Vertical Jump: 34.0" Broad Jump: 9'9"

Stats

2014: 13 Games Played, 46 Tackles, 5.5 Tackles for Loss, 2.5 Sacks, 6 QB Hurries, 1 Fumble Forced

2013: 13 Games Played, 15 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 2 QB Hurries, 2 Pass Deflections

2012: 13 Games Played, 26 Tackles, 2.0 Tackles for Loss, 0.5 Sacks, 1 QB Hurry

Scouting Report

Strengths

Armstead is a big, strong and quick player for his size. He's one of the best interior pass-rushers in the draft this year and can line up in any technique from 0-technique—lining up over center—to the 5-technique—lined up heads up over the tackle—and be extremely effective at creating pressure.

He has good inside moves and can use his hands well stuffing the run. He is able to get off the line quickly and can topple offensive linemen with his solid leverage. At times, he even gets his hands up to knock away passes. His versatility and raw athleticism are worth looking into.

Weaknesses

When someone is as big as Armstead is, he shouldn't be playing off the edge the way Armstead was in college at times. He's not quick enough to play the 6- or 7-technique and shouldn't be asked to do that. He doesn't bend the edge well and is a purely interior defensive lineman.

As solid as he is with his hands stuffing the run, he needs work on his overall technique both against the run and the pass. He's more likely to rely on his natural athleticism to help cover up mistakes, but that's something that won't help him in the NFL when everyone is the same level of an athlete he is.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

Armstead was never arrested nor was he ever suspended. The Falcons would love him off the field, as he seems to have been a hard worker and leader for the Ducks. Bringing a positive influence into the locker room is never a bad thing, especially when it's someone with a varied athletic background.

Basketball was the primary sport that Armstead played for most of his upbringing. He could potentially translate some of the skills that he would have gained from basketball to be an effective run defender for a team. Varied skills are never a bad thing.

Overview

The Oregon defensive lineman is a unique fit for most defenses and could be an ideal fit for someone to play in the Red Bryant role of a Seattle-style defense or the 3-technique role in a 4-3 Tampa-style defense or a 5-technique defensive end in base packages.

He also is effective lined up inside a guard's shoulder attacking the A-gaps. NFL teams would have to make sure they use him properly. Likely, his team is going to have to move him to an interior rusher on every nickel situation attacking an A- or B-gap.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

If the Falcons want Armstead, they will have to hope that he falls to No. 42 the same way Hageman fell to their second-round pick in 2014. A combination of Hageman and Armstead starting inside would be big, strong and quick, and most teams wouldn't be able to effectively counter it.

Having the combination of Hageman and Armstead in there on passing downs could also help the edge-rushers because it would allow more one-on-one matchups from double-teams eaten on the interior of the defense. Atlanta could do much worse in the second round than Armstead.

All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, 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.

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