Might the Falcons draft Thaddeus Gibson in the 3rd round ?

Even if Sean Weatherspoon has already been taken, or the Falcons draft another position with their first round pick, they still may get a good OLB  in the 3rd or 4th round.

Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Combine 40 Time: 4.71.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.58.
Benchx225: 32. Vertical: .
Projected Round (2010): 3-4.

www.walterfootball.com

3/15/10: Thaddeus Gibson ran a blazing 4.58 at his Pro Day. He's a late Day 2/early Day 3 rush linebacker prospect.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Gibson played some outside linebacker at Ohio State but eventually transitioned to defensive end and came on strong during Big Ten play in 2008. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors this fall after leading the Buckeyes with 13 tackles for a loss and ranking second in sacks with four. Gibson also had two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

*Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State, 6-2, 243

www.cbssports.com

As a college defensive end he had 10 career sacks and 25 tackles for a loss, but he may be more productive as an outside rush linebacker in the pros. When the NFL Advisory committee projected him as a second-round prospect in January he said he opted to enter the draft in order to help pay family medical bills. His natural athletic ability is obvious, but scouts wonder how quickly he will be able to diagnose and react properly when confronted with complex NFL offenses. His strong point is as a fluid, hard-to-hit athlete in open space as a pass rusher, but needs to show the ability to disengage when a blocker gets on him.

www.scout.com

Thaddeus Gibson, DE/OLB, Ohio State

Just like Worilds, Gibson decided to leave school early and show NFL scouts that he has what it takes to be successful at the next level. The 6-foot-2, 243-pound Gibson is an athletic defender who possesses great versatility and upside. He was a standout during drills and was fluid throughout, moving well laterally and upfield. Scouts knew that Gibson was fast, and the 4.71 he recorded in the 40 wasn’t a huge surprise, but the 32 reps he posted in the bench was a pleasant surprise. 

www.cnnsi.com

Thadeus Gibson/DE-OLB/Ohio State: Gibson also completed 32 reps on the bench after tipping the scales at 243. His 40 times ranged in the low-to-mid 4.7 area. Gibson really showed his stuff during the practice session. He was terrific in all the defensive line drills and looked incredibly athletic. Then, like many of the players who worked out this morning, Gibson was put through a battery of linebacker drills and was brilliant. There's little doubt that the college defensive end has the talent to make the immediate transition to outside linebacker in the NFL.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/03/01/combine.dl/index.html#ixzz0iMI8DrMT
Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription