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Falcons 2016 Draft: Day one options at inside linebacker

By Freddie Boston

Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Crimson Tide defeated the Aggies 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet and NFL shield logo before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet and NFL shield logo before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

What options could the Atlanta Falcons have at linebacker in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft?

One of the Atlanta Falcons’ biggest needs entering the 2016 NFL Draft is at linebacker. A problem area on defense last term was stopping running backs and tight ends getting open in the middle of the field. There will be some options on the draft’s opening day to help fix the issue.

With just five selections in this year’s draft, the Falcons need to find upgrades at linebacker, but also to their pass rush and safety positions. Due to this, there are a number of ways the team could go at No. 17 assuming they don’t trade away their pick. Pass rush would seem to be the more immediate need, but it’s all down to finding value on draft day.

If head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff decide to bolster the middle of their defense on day one with a linebacker, what options could they have at No. 17? There aren’t a great deal of legitimate first-round candidates, but three names stick out above the rest as potential day one targets. Let’s take a look.

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