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Atlanta Falcons: Which players to watch at 2016 NFL Scouting Combine

By Freddie Boston

Oct 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Doctson (9) catches a touchdown pass past West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Terrell Chestnut (16) during the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Doctson (9) catches a touchdown pass past West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Terrell Chestnut (16) during the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine is an important part of the draft evaluation process. Here’s some names to look out for.

The Atlanta Falcons have plenty of needs heading into the draft. With only five picks barring any trades, general manager Thomas Dimitroff has minimal margin for error. This week’s combine gives talent evaluators a chance to see prospects up close and also talk with them.

All over our TV screens and Twitter timelines this week will be the top 40-yard dash times and which players boosted or hurt their draft stock. For Dimitroff, there’s more to it than that. He will already have a pretty good grip on which players he’s interested in. This is just another step in the evaluation process.

But the combine plays an important role in the process, which is why such emphasis is put on the event taking place this week in Indianapolis. Which players should Falcons fans be looking at? We’ve rounded up some names to keep a close eye on throughout the drills. Some of them may wind up playing in the red and black next season.

The Falcons need help on defense, particularly to their pass rush, but could also do with some help on offense. Let’s start with some wide receivers to watch and then move on through the key areas of need for the Falcons.

Next: Wide receivers