How Will the Atlanta Falcons Address the Line of Scrimmage?

Veteran Defense

Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) celebrates his sack against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Paying for top quality offensive tackles and centers can get very expensiv.  Atlanta cold go the road of paying big for one defensive end and a great tackles while picking up some young talent for the lines.

Paying big for a guy like Brian Orakpo from Washington could be a really great move.  He would be a scheme fit in that he can play a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker.  Lamarr Houston or Greg Hardy could also be great pickups in the same way where they could play Defensive end in both 3-4 and 4-3.  Coupled with a defensive tackle like Aubrayo Franklin from Indianapolis or Linval Joseph from New York could be great tackles to put in rotation with Corey Peters and Babineaux that would also serve as a great nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme.

These moves would allow a cheaper alternative to fixing the offensive line.  Drafting players like Jake Matthews (if he’s available) or Greg Robinson in the first while picking up a guy like Cyril Richardson in the second.  Both guys would be immediate starters and could definitely help Matt Ryan stay on his feet and help make holes in the run game.