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Atlanta Falcons: Who will start at weak side linebacker?

By Colin Hubbard

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Jabrill Peppers (5) runs the ball Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) moves to defend in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Jabrill Peppers (5) runs the ball Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) moves to defend in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) cries as he is carted off the field after suffering an injury un the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) cries as he is carted off the field after suffering an injury un the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Someone else

If neither Sean Weatherspoon, Darron Lee or Deion Jones are the starting weak side linebacker at the start of 2016 then who else could it possibly be? That is the question and it’s a pretty hard question to answer.

One name that comes to mind could be UGA’s Leonard Floyd, but in all reality, he isn’t a weak side linebacker. Whoever drafts him needs to convert him to a defensive end and have him add 20 pounds to his frame. He isn’t good against the run and really only excels at one thing and that’s rushing the passer.

Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith could be an option in the draft, but with his knee injury in 2015, who knows where he will get drafted. And even if that team were to be the Falcons, he wouldn’t be ready to go for the start of the 2016 season.

Kyler Fackrell out of Utah State could be a possibility in either the second or the third round but my guess would be that they are much higher on Jones. Fackrell ran a 4.71 40-yard dash which isn’t ideal for a weak side linebacker and drafting him to be the starter might not be the smartest move.

Next: Atlanta Falcons 7-round mock draft 2.0

Regardless of what the team does, this is a very interesting thing to keep an eye on. There is a real need for a weak side linebacker and what they do in a month’s time at the draft will determine who is the 2016 starter.

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