NFL Draft 2011: 10 Draft Targets for the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons, under the management of Thomas Dimitroff, are all about developing young talent and taking shots on under the radar players.

Dimitroff, who worked his magic with a no name Super Bowl team in New England, has brought a blue collar culture to Atlanta that includes drafting character players over the most talented.

Mike Smith, the Falcons head coach, as well as a majority of the current players, fit that mold as well.

Heading into the NFL Draft, we can expect no more than for the Falcons to make some surprising picks yet again, especially considering they won't be drafting in the first few hours (like the franchise is accustomed to).

Here are 10 players who perfectly fit the Falcons needs and culture.

Mike Pouncey, Florida

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MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Mike Pouncey #55 of the Florida Gators reacts after a play against the Oklahoma Sooners in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Falcons current center Todd McClure, despite being one of the most tenured players in Falcons history, is heading towards the back end of his long and successful career.

Atlanta isn't afraid of taking players to build up over time, especially when they can learn from the best, which is why many think the Falcons will take a good hard look at drafting Mike Pouncey in the first round.

At 6'5", 303 pounds, Pouncey more than fits the mold, and he's a smart and athletic player. He had some considerable "trouble" starting at center at the beginning of 2010 with Florida, but he turned things around and impressed a lot of people.

He's possibly a project player, but he's a projected first rounder and could fill an area Atlanta will need to bolster up in the future.

Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 03: Kyle Rudolph #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks away from Quinton Rochardson #28 of the Washington Huskies after catching the ball on October 3, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Here's another scenario where the Falcons might take a project player and let him train with a great.

Tony Gonzalez, arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history, plans on starting for the Falcons at tight end again in 2011.

But, his career is past due. When Gonzalez leaves, Atlanta will need an impact tight end, considering Gonzalez has made it obvious that a game changing tight end completely opens things up for receiver (i.e. Roddy White).

Rudolph has an injury to sure up just coming into the draft, but there's no reason to overlook him. At 6'6", he's a huge target and could be a difference maker.

Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Dan LeFevour #13 of the Central Michigan Chippewas is tackled by Ryan Kerrigan #94 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 20, 2008 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

Atlanta has a nice duo of pass rushers with John Abraham and Kroy Biermann, however Abraham hasn't always been the healthiest player, and doesn't play a lot of downs in a row.

The Falcons have desperately needed a more solidified defensive end in their rotation. Sure, Abraham would be the designated starter, but with a defensive end like Kerrigan, the Falcons would have three very good defensive ends. Add in Chauncey Davis, and that's a beautiful rotation.

Torrey Smith, Maryland

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White evolved into the NFL's best receiver in 2010. However, many believe Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas don't fit well as compliments, as Jenkins has struggled with consistency and Douglas is a pure slot receiver.

Considering Torrey Smith has drawn many comparisons to Roddy White, taking this receiver in the first round could be a nice option.

Smith creates separation very well, just like White, and gets open thanks to crisp route running. He's physical and has a nice frame.

Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 5: Running back Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys carries the ball six yards as Rennie Curran #35 of the Georgia Bulldogs tries to stop him during the fourth quarter of the game at Boone Pickens Stadium on Septemb

Although Falcons running back Michael Turner had another all-pro season, many think the Falcons could have drastically benefited by having a more elusive, change of pace tailback in their offense.

Turner isn't a hole hitter like some more fluid tailbacks are. Nor does Turner have good change of direction ability.

Hunter possesses both of these things. He finds holes well and has a really crisp shiftiness to his running game. He'd also hold up a lot better physically than Jerious Norwood, who's seemingly built with cardboard hips.

Hunter is a surprisingly physical runner for his small size, and invites contact in most cases. 

DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G

If Atlanta were to take a chance on a more "Norwood" like running back who might be prone to injury, then DeMarco Murray might be a great pick.

Murray spent a lot of time on the trainers table while at Oklahoma, but when on the field he was a game changer. He's a taller, leaner running back with incredible explosiveness and straight line speed. He's a shifty runner, but he's always quick to make the cut gets him running north and south.

Fun to watch, and a dangerous weapon, Murray would definitely add some electricity to the Falcons' backfield.

Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Jerrell Powe #57 of the Ole Miss Rebels against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Although Atlanta has a few defensive tackle "draft busts" from the SEC West in Periah Jerry and Jamaal Anderson, it might not a bad move to pick up Jerrell Powe from Mississippi.

Unlike Jerry and Anderson, Powe is a space filler at 335 pounds. The Falcons defense was much more dominating between the tackles when Grady Jackson was there a few years ago, and when they had Rod Coleman.

Jonathan Babineaux is a great and underrated defensive tackle, but the other spot, which belonged to Corey Peters for the 2010 year, is full of youthful tackles who have yet to really stand out.

Maybe taking Powe would just make that race a bigger mess, but at his size, he could be the answer.

Terrence Toliver, LSU

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Terrence Toliver #80 of the Louisiana State University Tigers points to the crowd during pregame before playing the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Phot

The Falcons might not be able to get their hands on A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but if they are looking for a prototypical big play receiver, they might get one if Terrence Toliver from LSU falls into their lap in the second or third round.

Toliver is tall, lean, super fast, and a proven playmaker. While Michael Jenkins is just as tall, he's been considered a pretty "vanilla" receiver.

Toliver is more of a high energy player who maybe plays more aggressively and violently than he's good for, but who cares? He's a little raw, but overall he'd be a nice pick up if Atlanta is in fact looking to bolster their receiving group.

Casey Matthews, Oregon

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

Like his brother, Casey Matthews is considered a smart player who plays with an elevated intensity and motor at all times.

The Falcons are pretty stacked at linebacker, but Mike Peterson is growing old and will need to be replaced, either before 2011 is over, or the following year.

Atlanta has proven to do well with young, high-draft linebackers such as Curtis Lofton and Sean Weatherspoon. Matthews would fit perfectly into that linebacking corps. 

Weslye Saunders, South Carolina

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ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 12: Weslye Saunders #88 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Would Weslye Saunders be considered a Dimitroff-esque character pick?

Likely, no.

But, if Atlanta wants to attack the tight end needs in a later round, Saunders could very well become a steal. Aside from his NCAA rules violations regarding NFL scouts, Saunders wasn't known to be a distraction during his time at South Carolina.

And, Falcons fans would welcome him with open arms, considering how much he resembles former tight end Alge Crumpler.