Best Case Scenario: Defensive Tackle Corey Peters

Part One: Shann Schillinger
Part Two: Kerry Meier
Part Three: Dominique Franks
Part Four: Joe Hawley
Part Five: Mike Johnson

Part six of our seven-part series detailing the best case scenarios for the Atlanta Falcons’ 2010 draft picks continues with their third round draft pick: Defensive Tackle Corey Peters.

Using data from the last 10 NFL drafts (2000-2009), I focused on defensive tackles drafted in the third round to give us an idea of what Peters’ ideal rookie season might look like. What have players, who play his position and were drafted in the same round, done in the last 10 years?

Hit the jump for the comparison.

Top rookie campaigns for third round Defensive Tackles since 2000.

Player	Team	Year	Stats
Darnell Dockett	Cardinals	2004	Started 15 games for a 6-10 team. Recorded 3.5 sacks, one interception, three pass defenses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 35 tackles.
Terrance Knighton	Jaguars	2009	Started 16 games for a 7-9 team on the #10 ranked defense. Recorded 1.5 sacks, one pass defenses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 34 tackles.
Brandon MeBane	Seahawks	2007	Started 10 games for a 10-6 team. Recorded two sacks, two fumble recoveries and 23 tackles.

With Peria Jerry’s knee becoming more of a concern everyday, Peters could find himself in the starter’s role alongside Jonathan Babineaux. Peters is listed at 6’3″ and 300 lbs. and, if he starts, would be the biggest body on the defensive line.

If he has a rookie season that parallels any of the guys from the above list, the Falcons brass – and the fans – would be ecstatic. Hopefully, Peters doesn’t have any public showering escapades like the number one man on this list.

Will Peters be a starter in week one? If not, will he crack the starting lineup during his rookie year? What constitutes a successful rookie season in your eyes?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments or continue the conversation on Twitter.

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