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Atlanta Falcons should roll dice on Noah Spence in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Noah Spence speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Noah Spence speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Is Noah Spence worth the risk in the 2016 NFL Draft?

If Eastern Kentucky pass rusher Noah Spence can put his off-the-field issues to one side, he will make his future NFL team very happy.

Those concerns relate to his failed drugs tests that resulted in a ban from the Big Ten. Originally with Ohio State, the talented prospect finished his college career with Eastern Kentucky where he made quite the splash.

A key part of the decision to not declare for the 2015 NFL Draft and head to Eastern Kentucky was to prove he had matured. In 2015, Spence piled up 22.5 tackles for a loss with 13.5 sacks, highlighting his potential as an edge rusher at the next level.

Spence has made it clear in interviews he has grown up. Football has become one of his greatest motivators, according to AP college writer John Zenor:

"“Spence said he has changed a great deal since the behavior that led to his ouster from the Big Ten. He said he wallowed for a couple of days after the league’s decision before getting back to training for his next destination, at the encouragement of his father, Greg.“I’m not the same as I was,” Spence said. “I don’t think the same. I’ve got a better focus about me. I know what I want in life now. Football’s at the top after God and my family. That’s basically where I’m at right now in my head.””"

Unless he backs this up over the coming years, these will be nothing more than words. This is the risk an NFL team will take, and it could be the Atlanta Falcons.

More from Atlanta Falcons Draft

To compete in the NFC, head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff need to pull something out of the bag in regards to the pass rush. They failed to significantly address the area in free agency and now need to hit on at least one rookie. Defensive lineman Derrick Shelby offers versatility, but he won’t offer consistent pressure off the edge. If Spence is there at No. 17, he will easily be the most talented of the bunch.

The Falcons have Vic Beasley — who is expected to split time between defensive end and linebacker this season — but he can’t do it alone. Adrian Clayborn offers solid depth, but Quinn’s defense is crying out for another explosive pass rusher to pair with last year’s eighth overall pick.

Spence might be just what the doctor ordered in Atlanta, and his off-the-field concerns could give the Falcons an opportunity to snag a a top-ten prospect despite picking at the middle of the round.

For the defense to have any chance of taking the next step, the Falcons need to upgrade the pass rush in a big way.

Next: Darron Lee won't be Falcons' pick at No. 17

With just five picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, using the first on a player with such red flags would require rolling the dice. Yet just three months removed from a season in which the defense recorded just 19 sacks — an NFL-low — Quinn might just like his chances of rolling a six.