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Atlanta Falcons News: Mel Kiper picks Reggie Ragland in mock draft

By Freddie Boston

Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland participates in workout drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland participates in workout drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 NFL Draft is now just three weeks away. Will the Falcons address all of their needs? Will they trade down? These are questions everyone is desperate to know the answers to, but we will have to wait another 21 days to find out.

In the meantime, enjoy these Atlanta Falcons articles from around the internet. Sip your coffee with Thursday’s edition of the Dirty Bird Daily.

Falcons take national champion LB in Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft — Vaughn McClure of ESPN

And that national champion is Reggie Ragland. I have to say, I’m not a fan of the pick. Ragland is a talented player, don’t get me wrong, but a thumper at inside linebacker isn’t what the Falcons desperately need. Atlanta’s defense needs an edge rusher and a linebacker capable of dropping in coverage. Ragland won’t offer either.

Falcons tackle Jake Matthews sticks up for draft hopeful, baby brother — Vaughn McClure of ESPN

Jake Matthews’ brother, Mike, is entering the 2016 NFL Draft but was snubbed from the scouting combine with late-round grades. Jake isn’t impressed and tweeted out his pride in his younger brother, who he believes will “prove the combine experts wrong”.

Could the Falcons go tight end early in the draft? — Jeanna Thomas of The Falcoholic

Don’t be surprised if the Falcons grab a tight end early in the draft. Perhaps doing so would indicate their desire to trade down and acquire some extra picks. Tight end might not be the team’s biggest need, but there’s no doubting what a difference-maker a big-time threat who can open up the middle of the field would be for the Atlanta offense.

More falcons: Latest Falcons seven-round mock draft

Roger Goodell: NFL playoff expansion ‘will likely happen’ — Jeremy Warnemuende of 247Sports.com

Eventually, more teams will enter the playoffs. It won’t be in 2016 and possibly not even 2017, but at some point the postseason will expand. TV scheduling issues as well as working with the NFL Players Association are the only roadblocks currently, although it’s possible a preseason game or two would be removed to make up for it.

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