Report: Falcons Work Out Two Miami Cornerbacks

by Dave Choate on Mar 31, 2011 12:30 PM EDT in Falcons News

Well, this certainly qualifies as a mild surprise.

I didn't think the Falcons would consider a cornerback at all before the fourth round or so, but here they are working out highly-regarded cornerback Brandon Harris. Though he wasn't as productive in college as you would hope for—three interceptions ain't a lot—Harris is widely considered a first or second day pick.

I still can't imagine this is anything more than the Falcons doing their due diligence, because I'm a believer that Harris is not the answer if the question is "how do we further improve the secondary?" He's got loads of talent, but I've yet to see anything that suggests he could beat out Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes for a starting job anytime soon. If he can't, he's not worth the pick. Pretty simple.

Honestly, the second guy they worked out is more intriguing to me. DeMarcus Van Dyke is 6 feet and only 174 pounds soaking wet, but he ran the fastest 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine (4.28 seconds) and posted identical interception numbers to Harris. He's a big-time project, but the speed and height make him extremely interesting, especially given his likely late-round draft status.

What do you guys think?

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Pass on both...

We have two solid starters, a capable nickle corner, and a project corner already on the roster. At best, we bring in a low-priced veteran to give us five-deep. Two projects at corner would be pushing it, and spending a first round pick would be a waste on a guy who likely wouldn’t start anytime soon. Bigger needs on the team right now.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 31, 2011 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

Who is the capable nickle CB again?

The injury prone old guy or the guy who got torched after the old guy started missing time? You can never have enough CBs.

I think Brandon Harris can ball, but I’d prefer Jimmy Smith over him if I had a choice. Of course, I’d prefer a DE over both of them.

by ndnpride8806 on Mar 31, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

The guy who started for us most of the season before Dunta came to Atl.

You can’t judge a guy’s entire career by one game against one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL while he is playing at the top of his game and said cornerback has gotten little playing time all year and might be a little rusty.
I admit that I think highly of both corners you mentioned, but I feel there are better uses for our first round pick. Unless you are confident that the guy being drafted will come in and start immediately, it would be better spent on another position.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 31, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Speed

After round five, I really like the idea of drafting pure speed. Speed covers up a lot pf shortcomings.

by Chris Smooch Moncrief on Mar 31, 2011 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Defending modern NFL offenses requires more than just two starter-quality corners.

After that Packers game, I’d be fine with the team taking a cornerback high and another in the later rounds.

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by Jason Kirk on Mar 31, 2011 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

I'd argue we have at least three

But then you’d ask me for proof that Franks can be that guy, and I couldn’t provide it, and there’s that.

by Dave Choate on Mar 31, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

No love for Owens?

After everything he did his rookie year? I am disappointed in you.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Mar 31, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I do love Owens

But in the here and now, I’d think he’s going to need a confidence boost before he rolls back up the depth chart.

by Dave Choate on Mar 31, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think we NEED another big investment into CB

But I like Brandon Harris, and wouldn’t be upset if he was the guy (if there was a big run on DE’s before #27).

All the Scouting Reports I’ve seen on Van Dyke say speed… and nothing else. He definitely wouldn’t be a big contributor in 2011, and maybe not in 2012, either. But we could use another body if Williams doesn’t come back, and I wouldn’t mind a lottery ticket as long it’s a late-rounder.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Mar 31, 2011 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

Jason Kirk is right; you need a lot of CBs in today's NFL. But there are cheaper means of acquiring them.

We have a #2 Corner who many fans think is better than our #1 CB and we didn’t have to spend a single draft pick or fat Free Agent contract to get him. It did take patience and foresight, but thankfully those are cheap.

Developing talent is a beautiful thing as our mighty mite B. Grimes can attest. Especially when it comes to back ups and occasional starters. The high draft picks can be better spent somewhere else.

Besides 99% of every thing a team says and/or does prior to the draft is complete and utter bull****. Dimitroff is just in Cold War mode right now.

by Leon07 on Mar 31, 2011 7:11 PM EDT reply actions

Dont like drafting CBs high

an thats why we havent had a impact CB since Deion. Id take a shot on harris cause the DEs left for us are 2nd rd picks at best or fit a 3-4. Who else would we take? Acho in the 1st? Torrey Smith? I know TD likes to draft for need but if you can get a better player any position could be a need. I would like to see defense address early cause I believe its a higher % to get a gem on offense later in the draft than a defensive prospect.

P.S. Grimes is to short to be a #2 corner. He would be a monster at nickel guarding players more his size.

by pierre02 on Apr 1, 2011 12:41 AM EDT reply actions