2009 NFL Mid-Offseason Mock Draft

by Jake on Mar 27, 2009 10:34 AM EDT

Hey Atlanta fans, my name is Jake and I am one of the writers for BattleRedBlog, the SB Nation site devoted to the Houston Texans. I’m sure I’m not the first blogger from another team to visit your site and post something arbitrary because it happens regularly at BRB. Sometimes it is relevant to either the Texans or the NFL at large and worth reading, and other times it can be the opposite.

I just completed a Mid-offseason Mock Draft, and wanted to share who I selected for your team for you. I hope this isn’t a waste of your time and welcome feedback whether it is negative or positive. Below is the excerpt of who I thought the Falcons would take and why, as well as possible alternatives. If you would like to view the entire Mock Draft to see how I got to your pick, simply follow the link above in the beginning of this paragraph.

24. Atlanta Falcons: Robert Ayers/DE/Tennessee (Previous Pick: Jared Cook) – Jamaal Anderson has all of 2 sacks in as many seasons, so it’s time for Atlanta to start considering other options at DE. With all of the LB losses the Falcons suffered during free agency, they are probably looking to fill that need as well but they can either settle for the 5th or 6th rated LB on their board or Ayers whom some consider as the best true DE in the Draft. Supposedly Atlanta is smitten for Michael Johnson who is a possibility if he’s still on the board, but I would personally think that Atlanta would be leery of a pick like that after getting burnt by Anderson.

Thanks for your time, good luck in the Draft.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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Comments

Yikes ...

I’ve never done a mock draft on my own, so I have to give you props for putting this together.

Nevertheless, TD isn’t going to draft a DE in the first round. Yes, we need more production out of every DE not named Abe, but a platoon of Davis (on passing downs) and Anderson (on running downs) should get the job done for now.

We have glaring holes at DT/LB/S which will be filled before TD even looks at a DE.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)

by FrankyWren on Mar 27, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t think that’s necessarily true at all. I expect he’ll give a good solid look at DEs. He’s already brought Michael Johnson in for a workout, so it’s a little unnecessarily declarative to categorically reject DEs as a first round option. ::shrug:: I don’t think he will, but that’s a long distance from he’s not going to.

Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.

by iRonin on Mar 27, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Factual Discrepancy

My understanding was that he attended GT’s pro day. If you can produce a link showing something to the contrary, I’d love to see it.

I mean, it’s a possibility (I guess). I should have clarified. Given our needs at DT/LB/S, I’ll be one of several angry Birds fans if he goes DE in the first round.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)

by FrankyWren on Mar 27, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Also,

I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but I don’t think ‘smitten’ would be the term the Falcons would use for how they are viewing Michael Johnson. The only information regarding him and the organization that I know of is that they went to his pro day at GT and interviewed him. That’s pretty much it and I think they did it for all of the obvious reasons, i.e. it was local, he’s being projected high, DE is somewhat of a concern.

I agree with Franky here that I just don’t see us going after a DE with the first pick. LB is of a greater concern in my eye and there is the talent available to support. Plus I think Johnson is going to get snagged earlier than most think.

by Jesse28 on Mar 27, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t know about you guys but I want Pettigrew outta Oklahoma State. We need a tight end and he is going to be really good. Ryan can’t just throw to Roddy White all day he needs other options. Douglas is getting better and Jenkins is mediocre but with Pettigrew that would turn a good to solid offense into a very dynamic one IMO.

"The only time the Mets win is in the offseason"

by Falconzfan284 on Mar 27, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

Not at 24 ...

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)

by FrankyWren on Mar 27, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

It would

But I think if we build a dynamic offense at the expense of the defense, we’ll end up more like the Chiefs (back when Larry Johnson was good) than a team capable of long-term success. If the team were making a bigger splash in free agency, I think I’d be more comfortable with going after a tight end.

by Dave Choate on Mar 27, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

TE is not a need, but more like something that sounds tasty at first before you realized you really should have had the something much healthier and better for you. That position just does not warrant a first round pick. Picking a LB would better serve us in the long run followed by S/DT then CB/DE. We could really probably do with Anderson for another year, picking someone up in the mid rounds to take over for him.

Of course, I would think the natural caveat to all of this would be that if something extremely talented in a position of relative need drops in our lap, you take it.

by Jesse28 on Mar 27, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

i think we should put anderson on thin ice

try him out in preseasonat DE and give him a number to reach like at least 2-3 sacks in preseason or he’s moved in to DT i mean he’s 280 pounds he’s not the best tackle but he would sorta be a pass rushing tackle when you think about it and next year first round get ricky sapp

by mistab50 on Mar 28, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions

hello

ricky sapp warren sapp wow isn’t that a cowinkedink

by mistab50 on Mar 29, 2009 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

Sean Smith

Sean Smith will be marvelous on the Falcons…
A versatile player CB/S at 6’3.
We would most likely but him a Safety which is more of a need then DT or LB.
Then next round take Herman Johnson, then in third Dannel Ellerbe

by FlyYouFalcons on Apr 13, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions