I know we went heavy on defense last year but aside from getting a LB, I would be perfectly happy if the Falcon brain trust spent the majority of this draft on rebuilding/restocking our O-Line. I think we’d all be pleasantly surprised how a few fresh bodies could rejuvenate our running attack (taking pressure off Matty Ice and the Defense).

I know O-Linemen aren’t the sexiest positions to spend draft picks on but, in my mind, they can not only have a greatly underrated impact on a team but they are also some of the safest picks to make.

I have been saying this for weeks. Spoon will be gone to the Giants and Mike Iupati is the best fit for more positions available.

I represented the Falcons again during our community mock draft on our sister sportsnation site mockingthedraft.com, and here are the results

+++++++The Falcons trade the 19th and 179 pick to the eagles for the 24th and 87th pick.

WITH THE 24th PICK IN THE 2010 NFL DRAFT THE ATLANTA FALCONS SELECT EVERSON GRIFFIN DE USC
 
After spending all morning trying to trade down with teams, I finally found a taker in the Eagles, the “points” worked out perfectly, and I was able to get an extra 3rd round pick. After signing CB Dunta Robinson, our biggest holes are pass rushing DE and OLB.

With fan favorites Brandon Graham and Sean Weatherspoon already off the board before my original pick, I trade down giving up DE Jean Pierre-Paul to the Eagles, before chosing Griffin over Dunlap.

+++++++++-Atlanta trades #83 and #87 in the 3rd round and its 4th round pick for the Rams 3rd and 4th.

WITH THE 65TH PICK IN THE 2010 NFL DRAFT THE ATLANTA FALCONS SELECT BRANDON LAFELL, WR LSU
 
In order for Matt Ryan to become a star in his 3rd year, we need to continue to add weapons like the Colts do for Manning. But after 6 yrs in the NFL, Michael Jenkins seems to have maxed out (his reception totals being 53, 50, and 50 the last three yrs) I decided I wanted to upgrade the 2nd WR opposite Roddy White.

LaFell may never be a true #1, but when he “LaFell-ed” to the 3rd round, I traded the extra 3rd round pick I obtained from Philly to move up. In the first round, I only moved down 5 spots, but exchanged that extra pick to move up 19 spots both in the 3rd AND 4th rounds.

WITH THE 96 PICK IN THE 2010 NFL DRAFT, THE ATLANTA FALCONS SELECT MATT TENNANT, CENTER, BOSTON COLLEGE
 
After reading a mock draft by a local beat reporter for the Falcons calling for Maurice Pouncey to be taken with our first round pick, I started thinking about our current starter, Todd McClure and the fact that although he is a solid player, he is also 33 yo. It may surprise people that I would go offense with two of my top three picks, but remember we drafted defense with our top 5 picks last yr, and both OLBs Dekoda Watson and Thadeus Gibson were both already taken in the early 3rd round.

Tennant is rated by everyone as either the #2 or #3 center, comes from a college known for producing quality offensive lineman, and I couldn’t resist the rare opportunity to pair Matt Ryan with his former college center. Getting him with the 96 pick makes me so happy I didn’t draft Pouncy with our 19th pick.

5th to be continued….

Sometimes a good defense is a great offense. Make sure Ryan stays protected because we see what happens if he gets injured and has to sit a few games. Then maybe release or trade Jenkins and get him another receiver or two to help spread the vertical field and open lanes for Turner, Norwood and all our backs. Afterwards, our defense will have a predictable situation and play their game once we are up 21-0 after the first three drives.

They have a Rob Bruggeman and Blake Schlueter (both 23) listed as Centers (probably practice squad). Blalock and Jose Valdez are the only guards listed (Dalh/Clabo/Quinn – tackle hybrid Restricted FA)
If the young Centers are any good, I think Guard may be more of a priority than center.