10 Players the Atlanta Falcons Should Consider in the 2nd Round
Ameer Abdullah – RB – Nebraska
Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers player Ameer Abdullah (8) jumps over Southern California Trojans cornerback Josh Shaw (6) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. USC won 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Whoever said the running back position was endangered forgot to tell this year’s scouts, as day one of the draft saw two first round backs for the first time since 2010. In a stacked class, the Atlanta Falcons might opt to wait on RB, or target a bigger bodied goal-line back, but Ameer Abdullah’s talent is undeniable. The former Cornhusker is a decisive yet patient runner who has an excellent burst. He has soft hands, having not dropped a pass in two seasons, and would be an ideal versatile fit in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme that likes to spread the field and get the ball to the playmaker in space.
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Despite a small frame (5’9″, 205 lbs) he is not afraid to lower his pads and drive through the pile, but his lack of size will be the ultimate factor in how far he falls. Give him an extra two inches in height and an additonal 15 pounds, and Abdullah would be a first round talent, but team’s will be pleasently surprised with his production. His professionalism and character have been highly praised during the scouting process, and he is the prototypical high character player Arthur Blank and Thomas Dimitroff have looked for in the past. Pick 42 might be slightly early for the Falcons to add to an RB group that won’t be the focal point of the offense, but you won’t find many players more talented than Abdullah still out there in the second.