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Atlanta Falcons: Five players they should avoid in draft

By Colin Hubbard

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nathan Peterman (4) runs with the ball as Louisville Cardinals defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) defends during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Nathan Peterman (4) runs with the ball as Louisville Cardinals defensive end Sheldon Rankins (98) defends during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Sheldon Rankins

Sheldon Rankins is going to make whatever team that drafts him very happy, but that team shouldn’t be the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons do have a hole to fill at the nose tackle position, but that isn’t really a pressing need. When you have a terrible linebacking corps like the Falcons have, you don’t use your first-round pick on a defensive tackle.

The Falcons have Ra’Shede Hageman, Johnathan Babineaux and Grady Jarrett already on the roster and all three of those players are more than capable of seeing significant playing time in 2016. You could make the case for Rankins, but it wouldn’t be very smart. The team would be much better off using that pick on Darron Lee if he’s available.