2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: WR/TE Devin Funchess

The Atlanta Falcons got to see Jimmy Graham line up across from them every year from 2010 to 2014 and beat them easily to find holes and soft spots in either the zone or man coverages that were being run. They didn't have anyone who could cover him.

In order to create that same dynamic within the Falcons offense, they need to take a look at Devin Funchess out of Michigan. The tall, athletic tight end would look excellent inside the constraints of a Kyle Shanahan offense that allows the tight end to be essentially the second-most targeted receiving target.

Devin Funchess

Wide Receiver/Tight End

University of Michigan

Combine/Pro Day Measurements

Height: 6'4-1/4" Weight: 232 pounds

Arm Length: 33-1/2" Hand Measurement: 9-3/4"

40-yard dash: 4.48 sec. 10-yard split: 1.55 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.48 sec. Three-cone Drill: 6.98 sec. Bench Reps: 17 reps

Vertical Jump: 38.5" Broad Jump: 10'2"

Stats

2014: 11 Games Played, 62 Catches, 733 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Carries, -11 Yards, 1 Tackle

2013: 13 Games Played, 49 Catches, 748 Yards, 6 Touchdowns, 6 Carries, 34 Yards, 1 Tackle

2012: 12 Games Played, 15 Catches, 234 Yards, 5 Touchdowns

Scouting Report

Strengths

Funchess is a monster in terms of his size, speed and overall athleticism for the tight end position. He's built a lot like Calvin Johnson was coming out of college, and he has extremely good short-area quickness to combine with his already terrific long speed.

He's also an exceptional receiver, as he can find soft spots in zones and exploit them. He also has the speed to burn the interior of a defense on seam routes the way that Tony Gonzalez did in his prime. If a team uses him properly, he could easily be a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown type of tight end.

Weaknesses

As good as he is as a receiver, Funchess is a terrible blocker. He does show willingness, but his poor technique combined with his inability to create leverage on blocks has him failing to neutralize his men effectively when he goes against linebackers and linemen.

As a receiver, he could use some more refinement on his route running as well. But the biggest weakness in his game is the large amount of drops that occur. Most of them look like they are concentration drops more than anything else, but without hard work, they won't improve.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

Funchess is an exceptionally hard worker off the field, and he tries to work out his issues with film study and through receiving coaching. He has been on the path of fixing his drops issues but still has to refine his game. He has the work ethic to learn effectively under someone like wide receiver Roddy White.

He also has a clean track record off of the field, having never been arrested or suspended. The Falcons would love to see how he fits into the brotherhood that is the receiving corps. Atlanta could use him in the locker room as yet another positive influence.

Overview

The biggest mismatch creator in the draft is Funchess. He compares favorably to Marques Colston as a receiver but has a bit more speed and strength than the Hofstra graduate did coming out of college. Funchess can be a fun chess piece for whoever selects him.

He has the talent to help someone like Matt Ryan take their game to the next level because he could wind up being better than Tony Gonzalez was late in his career in Atlanta. The Falcons should definitely consider Funchess as a candidate for their second-round pick.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

The Falcons would likely have to take Funchess in the early part of the second round in order to get him on the roster. It would be a great value pick if he were to slip to the early part of the third round, and he could make a ton of teams feel stupid for passing on him.

Atlanta would use him early on as a second pass-catching tight end in the offense as well as an H-back and big slot receiver. The big question is, how do you take someone who creates the kind of matchups that Funchess will in the NFL off the field?

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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