Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft: Blogging Dirty Writers – Round 5

RB. Florida State. Karlos Williams. 146. player. 44. The Falcons need a physical, big-bodied back to pair with the shifty Devonta Freeman and the speedy Antone Smith. Karlos Williams from FSU has an excellent size/speed combination (6’1, 230 and 4.48) and great athleticism. He’s an aggressive runner that is very difficult to bring down, with a north-south running style that is perfect for a short-yardage back. Williams has shown he can be successful in the outside zone scheme while also being dependable between the tackles. He’s a bit raw in his technique and runs too upright, and his production dipped significantly in 2014. Still, Williams is a freakish athlete that is just scratching the surface of his talents. The Falcons can afford to work him in over time while letting his instincts and technique develop further.

Norfolk State. Lynden Trail. 146. player. 44. A pick based on pure potential. Raw skills but definitely teachable. Quinn can mold this athletic rusher and give him one agenda: bring down the quarterback. DE

146. player. 44. This is a depth pick for the time being. Chaz Green can step in day one and be a successful backup offensive lineman. He is already familiar with the zone blocking scheme, and he is the perfect build for the scheme. Green is quick on his feet and athletic enough to get to the second level. Some worry ability his overall strength, but after an offseason spent in an NFL workout regiment, he should be able to become more powerful with his hands when attacking defensive linemen. Chaz Green can develop into a starter at LG, but he will serve as a valuable backup in year one.. G/T. Florida. Chaz Green

ILB. Oregon. Bryce Hager. 146. player. 44. Despite the free agent acquisitions of Justin Durant and Brooks Reed, Dan Quinn has stated that Atlanta will still be looking at the linebacker position in the draft, enter Bryce Hager. Hager is a former running back who converted to linebacker. He has some decent speed (4.6 40 time) and is very rangy. The scheme he fits in best is a 4-3 defense, one which Dan Quinn runs. In addition to his good defense against against the run due to his athleticism, Hager is solid at dropping back and defend the pass, something required of the linebackers in coach Quinn’s scheme.

146. player. 44. The guy has amazing hands and great route running.  With the idea of running two tightend sets, Pruitt has the ability to have a seamless transition into the NFL. And he has produced. In a game against Big 10 Purdue, Pruitt had 10 catches for 136 yards. Imagine him running third downs for us.. TE. Southern Illinois. MyCole Pruitt

44. Coach Dan Quinn has said it numerous times that he loves competition. I do too, competition makes your entire team better. With that said, the Falcons 5^th round selection is Fullback Jaslton Fowler. The Falcons haven’t had a bruising fullback since Ovie Mughelli. The fullback position went through a period where they were on the endangered species list but they are making a comeback especially in zone blocking schemes. Patrick DiMarco was the Falcons fullback last year but he didn’t play much. The fullback position will be responsible for a lot more this year and the league’s best fullbacks are normally around 6’1, 250 pounds. DiMarco weighs in at 234 pounds. He will be in a battle for his roster spot if the Falcons take Jalston Fowler in the 5^th round. Fowler is a bruising fullback, he literally moves people out of the way. He was a big reason Eddie Lacy and T.J Yeldon ran wild for the University of Alabama. John Kuhn has helped Eddie Lacy transition to the NFL. A good fullback can really help your running game and we know the Falcons want to get back to running the ball. Jaslton Fowler would be an excellent pick in the 5^th round.. FB. Alabama. Jalston Fowler. 146. player

Minnesota. David Cobb. 146. player. 44. In the fifth, the Falcons add to a depleted RB corps by selecting Minnesotta RB David Cobb. Assuming they missed out on Jay Ajayi, the Falcons should pursue Cobb as he is the sort of low to the ground, tough runner the team thought they were getting in Steven Jackson. Running just a 4.81 at the combine, Cobb isn’t the top end speed freak you’d like in a wide open offense, but his ability to break through weak tackles and push the pile mean he’d be an excellent goalline option to compliment Antone Smith and Devonta Freeman. He’ll need help in pass protection, like most rookie RBs, but Cobb could be a very useful piece on a good football team.. RB

Injury robbed Smelter of being selected at a higher pick but providing there are no setbacks in his recovery, he should be a steal. This pick is more for the future as his rookie year will likely be limited but Smelter is a very good receiver. I was expecting to see a raw inexperienced WR at GT but Smelter shocked me with how natural he looked. He has a large frame (6’2 and 225 lbs) but moves pretty well for it. While he’s not a pure burner, he has great speed to take the top off defenses and has the hands to cradle in passes and the strength in them to shine in contested situations. He doesn’t have a ton of experience running all sorts of routes but he’s skilled with using his size and strength to dominate smaller cornerbacks and there doesn’t seem to be anything to suggest he won’t keep on getting better.. WR. Georgia Tech. DeAndre Smelter. 146. player. 44

Penn State. Mike Hull. 146. player. 44. Mike Hull could be the steal of the 2015 NFL Draft. The linebacker is projected to fall around the fifth round, so he would be a great pickup by Thomas Dimitroff if he makes it this far. Hull isn’t expected to start right away on defense, and would need time to develop but he can do just that with Dan Quinn in charge. What he can do is help on special team from day one while he develops his talent. A lot of comparisons can be made with Hull to Chris Borland. If he falls to No. 146, Dimitroff should take him.. ILB

Justin Coleman. 146. player. 44. Dan Quinn will probably continue the tradition of drafting a defensive back in the later rounds. It proved its efficiency in Seattle at multiple times. Moreover, selecting a cornerback fulfills a need at the position. Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford are left alone at the moment, with little to no help for slot receivers coverage. Justin Coleman seems to be an good answer. The former Tennessee Volunteer showed great athletic abilities and has this upside (technique refinement) to potentially become a good cornerback and a starter at the professional level.. CB. Tennessee