The Atlanta Falcons
Round 1, Pick 24 (24) Peria Jerry DT 6'2" 299 Mississippi
Analysis : Should have a relatively smooth transition into the NFL game as the schemes at Miss were based on movement and gap penetration, and Mike Smith loves the gap punching style of DL play. Hard worker, good motor, should be an anchor in the middle of that DL for a number of years, good pick.
Round 2, Pick 23 (55) William Moore S 6'0" 221 Missouri
Analysis : Prior to this season he may have been the #1 DB pick, but had some lapses this past year mostly due to injury, if he fully recovers he might need a full season to find his place, and then could emerge as a very good player.
Round 3, Pick 26 (90) Christopher Owens CB 5'10" 181 San Jose State
Analysis : Gives them depth at CB, hard to say if the physical style that defined him as a college player will translate well to the NFL where the receivers are bigger, stronger and faster than anything he has yet seen. If it doesn't, he might be relegated to the nickle, or the gunner on special teams.
Round 4, Pick 25 (125) Lawrence Sidbury Jr. DE 6'2" 266 Richmond
Analysis : Decent size and athleticism, gives them some depth on the DL with upside, and the potential to one day perhaps emerge as a starter
Round 5, Pick 2 (138) (From Rams) William Middleton CB 5'10" 193 Furman
Analysis : Yet another investment in CB, and another selection from a smaller school. Good athlete, should have some time to develop his game, unlikely to see the field with any substantial time this year. Gives some depth at CB, and perhaps some options.
Round 5, Pick 20 (156) (From Cowboys) Garrett Reynolds OT 6'8" 309 North Carolina
Analysis : Great grab in the 5th here, a solid run blocking tackle already suited to NFL play, could become an instant starter at RT providing he shows some growth with his pass blocking come August.
Round 6, Pick 3 (176) (From Rams) Spencer Adkins LB 5'11" 230 Miami
Analysis : Unlikely to start at LB for them, while he has excellent speed he is just too small to handle offensive lineman in the NFL. He might step in as a situational pass rusher, and would make a serious weapon as a gunner on kicks.
Round 7, Pick 1 (210) (From Lions through Cowboys) Vance Walker DT 6'2" 304 Georgia Tech
Analysis : A pretty good defensive lineman, though unspectacular, he could have been taken in the fifth round if not for nagging injuries impeding his numbers at the combine. For now, depth on the DL, long term? Hard to say, it all depends on his work ethic and ability to step his game up a notch or two to stay with the speed and power of NFL lineman.
Tomorrow....the Baltimore Ravens
Round 1, Pick 24 (24) Peria Jerry DT 6'2" 299 Mississippi
Analysis : Should have a relatively smooth transition into the NFL game as the schemes at Miss were based on movement and gap penetration, and Mike Smith loves the gap punching style of DL play. Hard worker, good motor, should be an anchor in the middle of that DL for a number of years, good pick.
Round 2, Pick 23 (55) William Moore S 6'0" 221 Missouri
Analysis : Prior to this season he may have been the #1 DB pick, but had some lapses this past year mostly due to injury, if he fully recovers he might need a full season to find his place, and then could emerge as a very good player.
Round 3, Pick 26 (90) Christopher Owens CB 5'10" 181 San Jose State
Analysis : Gives them depth at CB, hard to say if the physical style that defined him as a college player will translate well to the NFL where the receivers are bigger, stronger and faster than anything he has yet seen. If it doesn't, he might be relegated to the nickle, or the gunner on special teams.
Round 4, Pick 25 (125) Lawrence Sidbury Jr. DE 6'2" 266 Richmond
Analysis : Decent size and athleticism, gives them some depth on the DL with upside, and the potential to one day perhaps emerge as a starter
Round 5, Pick 2 (138) (From Rams) William Middleton CB 5'10" 193 Furman
Analysis : Yet another investment in CB, and another selection from a smaller school. Good athlete, should have some time to develop his game, unlikely to see the field with any substantial time this year. Gives some depth at CB, and perhaps some options.
Round 5, Pick 20 (156) (From Cowboys) Garrett Reynolds OT 6'8" 309 North Carolina
Analysis : Great grab in the 5th here, a solid run blocking tackle already suited to NFL play, could become an instant starter at RT providing he shows some growth with his pass blocking come August.
Round 6, Pick 3 (176) (From Rams) Spencer Adkins LB 5'11" 230 Miami
Analysis : Unlikely to start at LB for them, while he has excellent speed he is just too small to handle offensive lineman in the NFL. He might step in as a situational pass rusher, and would make a serious weapon as a gunner on kicks.
Round 7, Pick 1 (210) (From Lions through Cowboys) Vance Walker DT 6'2" 304 Georgia Tech
Analysis : A pretty good defensive lineman, though unspectacular, he could have been taken in the fifth round if not for nagging injuries impeding his numbers at the combine. For now, depth on the DL, long term? Hard to say, it all depends on his work ethic and ability to step his game up a notch or two to stay with the speed and power of NFL lineman.
Tomorrow....the Baltimore Ravens
