Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft – Blogging Dirty Writers – Round 2

ILB. Clemson. Stephone Anthony. 42. player. 44. By far the weakest unit on the team in 2014 was the LB corps, and the Falcons have already begun to address that by adding Justin Durant and Brooks Reed. However, the MIKE position is unsettled at best, and it’s unclear if Paul Worrilow can ever be a 3-down LB. Stephone Anthony is a prototypical ILB with great size (6’3, 246) and exceptional athleticism. Anthony is an excellent all-around LB, with good tackling technique, coverage ability, and a surprisingly effective pass rush. He needs to improve his ability to shed blocks, and his instincts are still in development, but Anthony has all the traits of an elite LB in the NFL. The Falcons should commit to the defensive rebuild by taking Anthony in the 2nd.

Derron Smith. 42. player. 44. Underrated FS with ball skills who has solid tackling ability. Poor man’s Earl Thomas. Will thrive in Quinn’s scheme as a center fielder due to good instincts and reaction.. FS. Fresno State

44. This isn’t an ideal selection here, but Abdullah is still an impact player. If a first round talent like CB Marcus Peters or OT Ereck Flowers falls far enough, that’d be the pick. Unfortunately, without trading up a few picks, we may be just out of reach for these first round fallers, so Abdullah is my pick here. Ameer Abdullah is a stout running back that is a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan’s new zone blocking scheme. He has excellent vision and doesn’t waste time dancing behind the line when finding the lane. Abdullah is an explosive player that would work well with Devonta Freeman as a powerful runner, but he does have ball security concerns. If that can be fixed, he’ll make Falcons fans happy by the time the season is over.. RB. Nebraska. Ameer Abdullah. 42. player

TE. Minnesota. Maxx Williams. 42. player. 44. I know what you’re thinking: We were the 32nd ranked defense in the NFL last year, why are we going offense in the 2nd round? And while I would normally agree, it’s just too hard for me to pass up on the best tight end in the draft, Maxx Williams. Originally projected as high as the top 10 in early mocks, Williams’ stock has plummeted. There’s a good chance that he falls to Atlanta at 42, and if he does the draft card should already be filled out. TE is the biggest position of need in Atlanta’s offense, and a good receiving TE is very important for Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. Williams fits that bill, with his excellent catching ability. He poses a matchup nightmare as well: he’s too fast and athletic for linebackers to cover him, and too big for safeties. His blocking is also above average, putting him over the top. Working with Matt Ryan, and with Julio Jones commanding most of the attention on the outside, Maxx Williams could become a pro bowler in this offense. That’s just too good to pass up.

We need a Free Safety and he is a tall corner that has disruption ability. Having a tall centerfielder helps out immensely with what the team overall needs to do.. CB/FS. Utah. Eric Rowe. 42. player. 44

Virginia. Eli Harold. 42. player. 44. Most Falcons Fans are looking for more help on defense in the second round and I expect they will get their wish, however Dan Quinn and company pull a surprise again. I had them taking the best player available with the first pick which was Trae Waynes so with the second round pick the Falcons will run to the podium thrilled that a guy they may have a first round grade on in Eli Harold is still available. Most fans may be disappointed that the Falcons leave Denzel Perryman on the board, but since they took a CB in the first round because their guy was gone, Harold is a great consolation prize. In fact, he may end up being the best pass rusher in the draft a year or two from now. Besides the Falcons have enough linebackers after free agency I don’t see them drafting a linebacker this year. Eli Harold is a great pick in the second round and fits coach Quinn Leo position better than any other player In the draft.. OLB

Hobart. Ali Marpet. 42. player. 44. Mocking the second round is always tough, as there’s usually a strong contingent of high end talent remaining, but it’s hard to predict which top level prospects will have fallen. Fortunately (and perhaps unfortunately) the Falcons could address several positions with their second pick, and won’t be relying on one player to slide. Assuming guys like TE Maxx Williams (who won’t make it past New Orleans) and S Eric Rowe are gone, I’d love to see the Falcons add versatility and depth to the offensive line by selecting G/C Ali Marpet. Marpet is one of the quickest linemen in the class, is surprisingly strong and is a perfect scheme fit for zone blocking. He has shown good strength, and can line up anywhere along the interior of the line. Out of Div III Hobart, the NFL will undoubtedly be a big step up for Marpet, but with his scheme fit, along with the Falcons need for zone blocking guards, it makes a lot of sense for Dimitroff to pull the trigger on this one.. C/G

Jalen Collins. 42. player. 44. Collins is built exactly how Dan Quinn likes his cornerbacks. He stands over 6’1″ with over 32″ long arms and 4.4 speed giving him a large coverage radius. His length, speed and strength allows him to get physical on the line in press coverage situations with the acceleration and makeup speed to recover. The Falcons are in need of cornerbacks. Trufant is a star and Alford is solid but there is really no one to rely on after them two. Collins gives the Falcons a formidable trio for the immediate future.. CB. LSU

Kevin Johnson. 42. player. 44. If this guy is available when the Falcons pick with the 42nd overall pick, they need to take him. Out of Wake Forest, Kevin Johnson could be one of the best cornerbacks to come out of this draft. Johnson could come in right away and disrupt wide receivers. He has just about everything you need from a cornerback. He has speed, physicality and good size.  Johnson could help the Falcons’ run defense, but more important could help the pass defense get off the bottom of the rankings.. CB. Wake Forest

42. player. 44. After addressing the glaring need at the EDGE rusher position with the 8th overall pick, the Atlanta Falcons could look into improving another crucial need of the defense : the free safety position. Charles Godfrey and Dezmen Southward are fighting for the starting spot as of today. An upgrade is clearly needed for one of Dan Quinn’s most crucial defensive positions. This upgrade could come through Arizona State’s Damarious Randall. The former Sun Devil could arguably be considered as the best safety of this year’s Draft, although within a weak class at the position. His coverage skills, his instincts and his playmaking abilities seem to suit best Dan Quinn’s requirements for the free safety position. Randall would however need to fix his tackling issues and his over-aggressiveness if he wants to perform at his full potential.. FS. Arizona State. Damarious Randall