Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons’ Dan Quinn, Dimitroff were on hand to watch Leonard Floyd at UGA pro day

By Colin Hubbard

Nov 7, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) works against Kentucky Wildcats offensive tackle Jordan Swindle (70) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Kentucky 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) works against Kentucky Wildcats offensive tackle Jordan Swindle (70) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Kentucky 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Free agency has died down and the 2016 NFL draft talks are back in full effect.

The Atlanta Falcons addressed the center position as well as defensive end wide receiver but still have a few holes to fill. Arguably the main hole to fill comes at the weak side linebacker position and the talks as to what round the Falcons will address this position have already begun.

One name stands out over all of the rest. Ohio State OLB Darron Lee appears to be the front runner at pick 17 if he is still available but is there someone else the Falcons should be considering with that pick? Assume the Falcons do not address the defensive end position in the first round, what about a hybrid player such as Georgia’s own Leonard Floyd?

Reports surfaced that the Falcons had 16 members of their organization at UGA’s pro day and you better believe the main attraction was Floyd.

Falcons’ general manager Thomas Dimitroff had high praises for the standup edge rusher.

“Obviously, he’s a top-notch athlete who has the ability to get up and around the corner, and he’s a very versatile athlete,” Dimitroff said. “He’s multi-facet in his approach to this game, and that’s always a positive.”

There’s no hiding the fact that Floyd excels at rushing the passer but lacks in other areas. Floyd doesn’t have the prototypical size that you would want out of your weak side linebacker, but what he does possess is speed.

Standing at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds, Floyd was clocked at running a 4.60 4o-yard dash back at the 2016 combine in Indianapolis which was one of the top times out of the linebacker position.

If you’re looking for a guy who can excel in the run game then Floyd isn’t your guy. He’s one of the top edge rushers in this years’ draft and that’s really all he will ever be. He may be a guy that you can drop into coverage once in a blue moon but odds are he’s going to be attacking the quarterback every time he’s out on the field.

Floyd made it a point to say that he is excited to focus on just one position in the NFL. He was asked to do all sorts of things while at UGA and thinks that striking to one thing will benefit him.

“It’s going to be a big relief,” Floyd said. “I haven’t had the chance to really focus on one position since I’ve been in college. It’s really going to be good for me.”

Next: What can we expect from Kyle Shanahan in year two?

Make sure to follow Blogging Dirty on twitter to keep up with breaking news and to join the conversation on everything related to the Falcons. Rise up.

Home/Atlanta Falcons News