2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: EDGE Max Valles

The Falcons should be in the market for multiple edge defenders throughout the draft. One of these edge defenders that would make sense in Atlanta is Max Valles out of Virginia. Valles has the frame and quickness to project to multiple spots on Atlanta's line.

He has potential to be a good "Leo" defensive end or even strong-side end, but he needs to fill his frame out some more. Valles is a case of potential that needs to be realized after he has the proper coaching and some seasoning in an NFL weight-training program.

Max Valles

Edge Player

University of Virginia

Combine/Pro Day Measurements

Height: 6'4-5/8" Weight: 251 pounds

Arm Length: 32-5/8" Hand Measurement: 9-3/8"

40-yard dash: 4.83 sec. 10-yard split: 1.66 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.37 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.59 sec.

Vertical Jump: 36.5" Broad Jump: 10'1"

Stats (From CFB Stats)

2014: 12 Games Played, 55 Tackles, 12.5 Tackles for Loss, 8.0 Sacks, 4 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 3 Fumbles Forced, 8 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown

2013: 10 Games Played, 23 Tackles, 5.5 Tackles for Loss, 4.0 Sacks, 1 QB Hurry, 1 Fumble Forced, 4 Pass Deflections

2012: Played at Fork Union Military Academy (Junior College level)

Scouting Report

Strengths

Max Valles has great length for the edge position and has the quickness to be an impact player at the next level. He's very physical and has a great motor on both run and pass plays. His jump off the line is an asset to work with.

He's got good tackling form and understands how to wrap and lock his hands when he's taking someone down. He's also got long arms and understands how to get his hands up to tip passes at the line. He's got a very high ceiling that could be reached with the proper coaching.

Weaknesses

As high as Valles' potential is, he just doesn't have anything close to ready in his game. He pass rush moves are non-existent, and he tends to get stone-walled at the line due to his lack of ability to create open rushing lanes with his hands. He also could stand to max his frame out a bit more.

He doesn't have the ideal hips to play in coverage, nor does he play the run very well at this point. He is inconsistent with his technique and doesn't understand leverage at this point. He should have stayed in school to get the seasoning he needed to really make a difference at the next level.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

Valles has never been arrested nor has he ever been suspended. He's a hard-working player who can turn in high-motor efforts. The biggest questions from Valles comes from his inexperience at the college level, as he was just a redshirt sophomore.

He wasn't extremely productive in college despite being a great athlete for the college level. The Falcons could completely strike him from the board based on those two factors, as they haven't taken someone with as little experience as Valles has under general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Overview

At times, Valles has trouble wrapping bigger, stronger running backs and receivers. Teams would have to truly be able to teach him to reach his full potential. He seemingly has the motor, hard work and off-field personality needed to reach his final potential. 

Ideally, he should play more of a 4-3 defensive end role where he can line up in 5-technique, 6-technique and 7-technique most often. Valles could become a starting-caliber defensive lineman for whoever drafts him and should be given a shot early in a rotational role.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

The Falcons could likely get Valles on the third day of the draft due to his inexperience and poor combine. Atlanta would be a great fit for him scheme-wise and he would be an ideal long-term project as a potential rotational strong-side defensive end.

Valles should be inexpensive and good depth as someone who can get after the passer on third downs and in rotational sets. He's likely not going to start over any of the other Falcons edge players early on, but he has the athletic potential to become a very good starter eventually.

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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