January 2, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Brandon Boykin (2) runs back a kick off for a touchdown during the first half of the 2012 Outback Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

George Iloka-Free Safety-Boise State. Iloka is a good free safety, who played in a Boise State program who won a whole heck of a lot, and played in their fair share of big-time games. Iloka is a good matching up against tight ends in coverage, and also can play well when covering receivers in coverage. He is very good at knocking the ball down out of the air and separating the ball from the receiver, but he struggles to come up with big time interceptions, or ball-hawking plays. He has the size and strength to come up and play the run effectively, but he often struggles wrapping up and bringing the ball-carrier down–he often requires his teammates to make the tackle. That being said, he would  be excellent at covering the tight end, something that is necessary in today’s NFL.

Brandon Boykin-Cornerback-Georgia. At one time, I thought Boykin was a can’t miss prospect for the Falcons–they had a need in the defensive secondary, and Boykin was a ball-hawk who would do a good job filling a need at cornerback. After the trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for Asante Samuel, I couldn’t disagree more with this potential pick. It would be foolish for the Falcons to use a 2nd or 3rd round pick on Boykin despite his obvious talent. Boykin is a fine player, but is at a position the Falcons have absolutely no need.

Ryan Broyles-Wide Receiver-Oklahoma. Broyles is not the biggest or fastest receiver in the world, but he produced at a high level at Oklahoma until he suffered a torn ACL. He was almost certainly going to be a 1st round pick up until that point. He is not an elite jump ball target, but I think Broyles would fit with the Falcons in four receiver sets. A receiver set of Julio Jones and Roddy White on the outside with Harry Douglas and Ryan Broyles from both slot positions would be a powerful offensive set to deal with indeed. The Falcons don’t have their 7th round pick anymore, but it might just be worth their 6th round pick to take a guy like Broyles. The Falcons need more depth at the receiver position, and a low-risk, high-reward type player like Broyles could fit well with the Falcons.

Who else would you like to see the Falcons target in this draft this weekend?

September 3, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Brandon Boykin (2) scores a touchdown past Boise State Broncos safety Jeremy Ioane (10) and cornerback Jerrell Gavins (4) during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

One of the most important positions on the field in the NFL today in the nickel cornerback position. The outside receivers aren’t extremely limited in their route running and the route tree, but they are more limited than the slot receiver. The slot receiver can challenge a zone, both vertically and horizontally, outstrip man-to-man coverage, and be quite a handful to cover. If you look at one of the most terrific nickel corners in the game today, Green Bay’s Charles Woodson, he routinely shuts down the slot receiver in man-to-man coverage. Sure, even he gets beat sometimes, but more often than not he makes a play on the ball by deflecting the pass or creating a turnover.

Brandon Boykin is not a former Heisman Winner that Woodson is, but he holds many of the same qualities. The Falcons have had a miserable time covering the slot receiver; one of the worst performers in the 2010 playoff game against Green Bay was Chris Owens, who was covering the slot receiver and got shredded all night long. Boykin would be able to hold his own in coverage. He is not great in zone coverage, but with Mike Nolan expected to use more elements of the 3-4, and take chances to create turnovers, I would be shocked if there were not a lot more man coverage on opposing receivers in 2012. That happens to be a forte of Boykin’s.

There is another element of the game that is often forgotten, but would certainly help the Falcons if they decided they would add Boykin. Eric Weems was our best returner on special teams, especially on kickoffs, and made a huge difference in many games, especially late and in close ballgames. Unfortunately, Weems was lost in free-agency to the Bears this month. However his loss would be made null and void through addition of Boykin. He proved time and again, that he can give his team excellent field position to start a possession, as well as the speed and elusiveness to return a punt for a touchdown, as evidenced by his return for a touchdown, as well as trick play touchdown against Boise State in the first game of the 2011 season. No doubt this is not a good enough reason to take Boykin in the 2nd or 3rd round, but it is certainly an aspect that helps.

Boykin does have some defincies, however. Like I said earlier, he is not good with recognition in zone coverage, is undersized and short, isn’t outstanding in run-support, and suffered a broken leg in this year’s Senior Bowl. Is he a slight health risk, especially if you are going to have him on defense as well as on special teams? Sure. But is he a worthy, solid play-maker, who is a decent character guy? Absolutely. Besides, increasing depth at the corner position is never a bad thing.

Your thoughts on Brandon Boykin?