Safeties first

The NFL has just under 30 days until the draft and speculation is rampant for who will go number 1 and who will take the biggest drop. The Falcons hold the 24th overall pick and the thoughts on who the dirty birds should take has been varied to say the least.

 First off there were the Tight End boosters saying that Matt Ryan needed another receiving threat to add to an already potent attack. Of course the popular pick was Brandon Pettigrew from Oklahoma State University. I am a fan of Pettigrew the I like the size, speed and receiving capabilities that the guy showcases but I for one doubt the guy would even be there for the Falcons if they did decide to go that way, which I don’t see happening, at least not with the losses that the Falcons have suffered on defense.

 The defense, what can I say about it. It was vastly improved in the 2008 season, it was the defense that allowed the Falcons to stay in and win games last season. It was the Falcons achilles heel in other games as they appeared to issues with their ability to consistently shut teams down as well. So now the fashionable picks in most mock drafts seem to be defensive players, what with the losses of Keith Brooking and Michael Boley at the linebacker position or Lawyer Milloy at safety it makes a lot of sense. So the question is what do we as Falcons fanatics think?

 Well, I for one am going to go defense in this case. I like the idea of one of the USC linebackers going to Atlanta with newly acquired Mike Peterson and one of last years rookie sensations Curtis Lofton already very strong and able in their positions I like the chances of the running games of any opponent to have issues.  But it is the passing games of our opponents and the Atlanta Falcons secondary that gives me pause, and it is here that we need the most help.

 Cornerbacks are always a necessity, it is by far one of the most difficult positions in the game of football to play and to let alone be effective at. Domonique Foxworth left the team to sign with the Baltimore Ravens and this has left a void that really does need to be filled. The Falcons needs however do not end at the CB spot and we need to get a safety what we can build around and it is the safety spot that I think will be best used with the first round pick.

 Sean Smith Safety Utah The guy is 6′ 5″ fast (4.50 40 yard dash) He hits hard and has good hands. I am big fan of this guy and I feel he could be a game changing player in the NFL. He has been compared to Mel Blount from the 70’s era Steelers and I like the comparison. Smith is smart and I would love to see him in black and red next season and with projections having him go late 1st to early 2nd he could be available.

 Louis Delmas S. Western Michigan A strong run stopper in every sense of the word, (100 tackles in 2008) and his ability belies his small size at 5′ 11″ 202lbs. With the ability he has shown Delmas could be a smart pick if Smith doesn’t make it to 24 or could be the 2ndor later round pick-up if the Falcons do decide to go elsewhere.

 William Moore S Missouri Good hands and good size should make Moore a good pick at the next level but a weak senior bowl and an underwhelming combine has probably dropped him out of the first round but could be a really good steal for whomever picks this one time top tier prospect.