Falcons' Draft Analysis

Allright, well I blogged earlier on what I felt the Falcons needed to address in the draft. Here's the shortened version of that:

1. Secondary
2. Offensive line
3. Outside linebacker
4. Defensive tackle
5. Receiver
6. Running back
7. Quarterback
8. Place kicker

With Atlanta's first pick in the second round, they got themselves a first-round player in cornerback Jimmy Williams of Virginia Tech. The selected the quickest tailback in the draft in Jerious Norwood of Mississippi State in round three. Syracuse offensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka is who Atlanta drafted with their 5th round pick. They selected Fresno State's receiver and special teams' stud Adam Jennings in the 6th round. With their fifth and final selection, Atlanta drafted Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley. With all five picks, the Falcons addressed a need: #1, #2, #5, #6, and #7. The only three needs they didn't address were that of an outside linebacker, defensive tackle, and place kicker.

Atlanta has a couple very quick and athletic young OLB's, but again, they're very young and DeMorrio Williams was very inconsistent against the run a year ago. It'll be interesting to see if either he or Michael Boley are able to step up this season. The same is true of their defensive tackle alongside pro-bowler Rod Coleman. Chad Lavalais or Jonathan Babineaux will have to step up this year, especially against the run. Atlanta was 22nd in defense a season ago, due to injuries, youth, and inconsistency. Middle linebacker Ed Hartwell will be back this year. Johnathan Abraham will be playing opposite Patrick Kierney. Keith Brooking will be back at OLB. Todd Peterson is an effective place kicker, but is not getting any younger, so he's limited in his range.

With the selection of D.J. Shockley, Atlanta losing Matt Schaub next year to free agency might not be as big of a blow, especially if they decide to revolve the offense around Michael Vick. If Schaub leaves, then D.J. Shockley and Bryan Randall would be the backups and they both possess the same dual threat ability as Vick.

Atlanta may have the #1 rushing attack with DVD (Dunn, Vick, Duckett), but Dunn's numbers faded some down the stretch last season and Duckett has been inconsistent. The addition of Jerious Norwood could help Atlanta stretch Dunn some for sixteen games. Norwood is quick, but very much a north-south type runner that will fit in with the Falcons' rushing scheme perfectly.

Ojinnaka may not be a starter during his career, but he will provide depth to the Falcons' offensive line. Atlanta may have lost tackle Kyle Shaeffer in the off-season, but they replaced him with veteran Wayne Gandy and added backup Quinn Ojinnaka.

Allen Rossum won the fastest man competition in Hawaii a couple years ago, but had an injury-filled season just a year ago and never got on track with his returns. Corner DeAngelo Hall helped some in the return game last year, but he's too important to the defensive makeup to leave out there on punt returns too regularly. So, picking up Adam Jennings is a smart move. Rossum won't feel as much pressure and if he isn't effective again this season, then Jennings can fulfill the role adequately.

Overall, as a Falcons fan, I'm quite satisfied with their draft. What isn't shown in the draft are Atlanta's inclusions of defensive end standout Johnathan Abraham and veteran tackle Wayne Gandy. I would've liked to have seen Atlanta draft an OLB, but perhaps they know something I don't know about the maturing of DeMorrio Williams or Michael Boley. The only question marks I have for the Falcons this year is their run defense up the middle, their run defense to the side of their inexperienced OLB, their pass defense to the opposite side of DeAngelo Hall, pass blocking, special teams (place kicking and returns), and Vick building chemistry with his two young receivers (Michael Jenkins and Roddy White).

Things are looking good (or better) in Falconland. They've improved in their pass defense (Milloy, Crocker, Williams), in their rush defense (Hartwell and Abraham), in their running game (Norwood), in their blocking (Gandy), and special teams (Jennings). Hopefully, all the injuries from last season will help aid Atlanta's youngsters this year, especially Boley, Babineaux, and Chauncey Davis. If the defense holds up health wise, Atlanta should be in the top half of the league in most defensive categories and if Vick can connect more to his two young wideouts, the offense should be ranked in the top 10 (12th last year).