May 12, 2012; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi goes through a drill during Falcons rookie camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

In looking around the internet for reports on new NFL rookies, I stumbled upon this article from Yahoo! which spoke specifically to 5th round picks. The article talks about 5th round draft picks who were terrific values– players who when graded on skill set had the possibility of being drafted higher, but fell to later rounds. Only five players were in the piece, and one of them was the Falcons’ Jonathan Massaquoi.

The Yahoo reporter spoke very highly of Massaquoi. As a matter of fact, back in February there was another Yahoo piece ranking Massaquoi as the 50th best prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft. Granted, this guy is not a professional scout and is not currently in the front office of an NFL franchise, so there is a reason Massaquoi was drafted in the 5th rather than the 2nd round. However the point must be acknowledged that the Falcons drafted a Defensive end who has the size to potentially play Outside Linebacker in a 3-4 front, and to play at a high level.

While he may have a great burst off the line, tremendous agility, a good bull-rush for his size, and a tremendous motor, Massaquoi is not without his flaws. He is raw, and since he had success against less than elite competition hasn’t had to develop a very big pass-rushing repertoire of moves which is something that is absolutely necessary from a pass rushing specialist in the NFL today.

The good news is that there are multiple sources who feel that the Falcons got a tremendous value pick in the 5th round, and have a player who could develop into a stater at DE in the future. While he will only be a situational pass rusher or a DE in a rotation with John Abraham, Ray Edwards and Kroy Biermann, it is positive that there is so much potential and upside to Massaquoi. All that is needed is for him to be developed properly, something the Falcons have already begun to work on.

Jonathan Massaquoi: Atlanta Falcons 5th Round Steal? - Blogging Dirty - Blogging Dirty - An Atlanta Falcons Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

December 26, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks the field before their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

After this past weekend’s Rookie Mini-camp during which Peter Konz, Travian Robertson, Bradie Ewing and Charles Mitchell all signed their rookie contracts, and three tryout players were signed, the Falcons 2012 Rookie Class will undergo a rookie orientation today, something the Falcons call ‘Falcons U’.

The point of the event is similar to the NFL’s rookie symposium. It is designed to impress upon the rookies the importance of being humble, adjusting to life in the NFL, and emphasize the values of the individual franchise. The Falcons invite a number of speakers within the organization and from other places to speak to the rookies. Arthur Blank, Thomas Dimitroff, and several others will speak to the rookies and field questions they may have about any life or on the field adjustments they will have to make.

The great thing about this event is that its primary focus is on off-field life. Obviously as fans we are looking out for the bottom line, which for the fans comes in the form of wins. There were a couple items such as Mr. Blank saying that “every rookie has told me the season is longer, and the game is faster.” There has also been items mentioned such as that the Falcons expect a 100% commitment during the Monday-Saturday period of the week and not simply on Sundays. But there have been other things mentioned. Seizing every opportunity, not settling for playing backup, working your hardest, putting the team before yourself.

The Falcons are also doing their part to help the players make the adjustment easy. Mr. Blank mentioned three things that were truly striking. First, every person needs to have balance in their lives, that it is important to spend time with your family, on religion, and being the best person you can be. Secondly, the Falcons organization made themselves available. Mr. Blank’s words were that “We care about you as more than just football players. We will do everything we know how to do to help you.” The third thing he mentioned was that without the fans, the NFL would simply be teams of 11 guys going out and playing Sandlot football. He emphasized that each player remember this when asked for autographs or when interacting with fans.

I think this effort made by the Falcons to be there in every capacity for each player is excellent. The Falcons clearly are asking for quality people and quality family men for their organization; I think that is only right. The realization that the players must do everything they can to help the team is obvious, but the team also must do everything they can to make help the player. Also emphasizing the importance of the fan for the team is crucial. It is something that all Falcons fans should take pride in: we have a team that really appreciates us and is doing everything to make our experience better for us. The Atlanta Falcons care about the people who are playing the game, and they care greatly for the fan that consumes their product.

Falcons University Preps Rookies for Life in the NFL - Blogging Dirty - Blogging Dirty - An Atlanta Falcons Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Replacing John Abraham will doubtless be the prime subject of the Falcons 2013 Draft process. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

Its very early to be thinking about such things, but I’m very curious as to what position/s the Falcons will target highest in the 2013 NFL Draft. It’s probably a result of just having done so much draft preparation and draft recap, but I am fully locked into prospects for the 2013 season.

I think it is obvious that the Falcon’s most dire need will be to augment the pass rush. As has been chronicled in a multitude of locations, John Abraham is not getting any younger, Ray Edwards may not be the player we signed him to be, and all indications are that Kroy Biermann, Lawrence Sidbury and Jonathan Massaquoi are not much more than role players at this point. All of that is subject to change, but I think we all have a pretty good idea of what all of these players are capable of.

Defensive tackle also needs to have talent added to. Peria Jerry can’t be tossed aside quite yet, but the production that was expected when we drafted in the 1st round in 2009 simply hasn’t been there. Jonathan Babineaux was once the best DT in the NFC South, but like Abraham he is also aging. The brightest spot at the position is third year player Corey Peters. He truly came into his own in 2011, and while he wasn’t statistically a monster, he made his presence felt on every play and allowed his teammates to make the plays.

There are other positions that will certainly need to be addressed on the other line. We have answers at Right Tackle, Left Guard, Right Guard and Center this season with the addition of Peter Konz in the 2012 Draft, but there are question marks for the present and future. In 2012, we will need to see how well a healthy Sam Baker plays. If he is serviceable like he was from 2008-2010, the Falcons may not have to address the LT position immediately. If he can’t do any better, LT may be the number one need in the 2013 Free Agency period/Draft. In 2013 another interior line position will also need to be addressed. Todd McClure will almost certainly retire after the 2012 season, meaning Peter Konz will shift to center and the Falcons will need to look for a Right Guard, or Konz will stay at RG and the Falcons will have to find themselves a Center. I’m not completely ready to give up on Joe Hawley playing Center in the future, but we will have to see how it plays out.

There is also the matter of the TE position. After this past draft we can see that the TE position does not need to be targeted in the 1st round, but good quality players can be had in the 3rd and even 4th rounds. Tony Gonzalez certainly needs a replacement who is an excellent pass catcher, and the Falcons will almost certainly deal with the TE position in 2013. Someone needs to stretch the field up the seam of the defense.

There are some other positions that have some need for depth, but they are not nearly as glaring as other positions at this current time. The truth is, this is where the weaknesses appear in the Falcons roster in the offseason before the 2012 season; what seems a weakness now may become a strength as the season begins, or a strength may end up being one of the blatant weaknesses. Only time and actual game experience will show exactly what the Falcons’ needs in 2013 will be and where the need to patch up positions, of do a wholesale gutting of the depth chart at that position.

What do you think are the Falcons greatest needs to address in the 2013 NFL Draft?

What Will the Falcons’ 2013 Draft Needs Be? - Blogging Dirty - Blogging Dirty - An Atlanta Falcons Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.