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Atlanta Falcons: Key notes ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft

By Eric Robinson

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Atlanta Falcons’ pending draft class.

There is a heightened importance for this draft — this was noted last season and the same is still in play this year. A 5-0 start in the 2015 season took a peculiar twist and wound up being an 8-8 season with added questions.

The layout of free agency has mapped a possible blueprint for the Atlanta Falcons in the draft, which consists of just five total draft picks and several holes to fill. If general manager Thomas Dimitroff can wave the magic wand and accumulate more draft picks, the majority of fans would celebrate, including myself.

Until that occurs, the front office has to roll back their sleeves and strategically walk away with a successful draft with only five picks. Here are a few notes to keep in mind for the Falcons before and on draft day.

  • The Falcons will address the needs of defensive end, linebacker, and safety in the draft. The question is more of “when” and not “if”. In the scenario that the Falcons stay at their original first round selection (17th), the team will more than likely walk away with an NFL-ready pass rusher (Lawson, Ogbah, Dodd, Spence) or a linebacker (Lee, slight possibility of Ragland). As far as safeties go, names to keep in mind are Keanu Neal (personal favorite), Darian Thompson, Karl Joseph, KJ Dillon, and Miles Killebrew.
  • There is a slight possibility that the Falcons could add a wide receiver with return ability. The earliest that could possibly occur is in the fourth round and if not, the seventh round is also a possibility. Someone who can upgrade the WR4 spot as well as provide return ability. The future of Devin Hester is still up in the air and the drafting of a WR will tell a lot.
  • The odds of taking a tight end are slightly low and that’s even if Arkansas’s Hunter Henry being considered by a number of draft prognosticators. If Henry is there in the second, he may be considered but there are other significant needs than TE. It is also noteworthy that the tight end class is bare outside of Henry. Again, there is a slight but not favorable chance. Based on that slight chance, keep an eye on Stanford TE Austin Hooper and South Carolina’s Jerell Adams.
  • Former nose tackle Paul Soliai is now in Carolina with the Panthers. Do not be surprised if the front office takes a capable replacement in the middle rounds. Penn State’s Austin Johnson, Clemson’s DJ Reader, and Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler are names to monitor.

More falcons: Latest Atlanta Falcons seven-round mock draft

  • As much as we all would like to trade down and rack up picks, draft trades are not always smooth sailing. It is going to take the right team with the right deal. We have learned in the past that draft trades can dig an even bigger hole for the team.