The 2011 Arrowhead Pride Mock Draft continues with stagdsp choosing for the Atlanta Falcons at No. 59...
Atlanta filled their biggest perceived team need in the first round by getting a pass rusher from the DE position in Heyward.
The next two needs are Playmaker at WR, and OL. Many fan and expert mocks have Atlanta taking Jernigan in the 2nd, but some jerk already drafted him for Baltimore (j/k Ben). I'm not sure the other WR available at this point fit what Dimitroff is looking for, so I think he passes and hopes a speedster is available in the 3rd round. Atlanta's OL has been a strength of the team in recent years. They are big, strong, athletic, and plow the way for a prominent running game. The Falcons were 12th in the league in rushing in 2010, which represents an "off year" for them. They allowed the 3rd fewest sacks with 23.
The Bad News: They aren't likely to keep the full group together:
The Falcons appear "set to let [Tyson] Clabo test the free-agency waters," according to USA Today. Clabo was effective as the Falcons' starting right tackle in 2010, going to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. But he will likely seek a monster deal as he enters his age-30 season, something the Falcons may not be able to afford.
The Good News: Dimitroff drafts well for the future, and has some young talent waiting on deck. I really liked Mike Johnson in last year's draft, he's a road grater at RG, Garrett Reynolds has potential, but it would be smart of Dimitroff to add another potential stud to keep this unit rolling forward. Via PFT:
T: The offensive line need isn't quite as desperate as you think here. Yes, Tyson Clabo seems likely to leave. Guards Harvey Dahl and Justin Blalock are free agents and perhaps only one will return. But this is a system-based team and G.M. Thomas Dimitroff planned for this day. He drafted tackle Garrett Reynolds, guard Mike Johnson, and center/guard Joe Hawley in the middle rounds over the last two years.
Getting a right tackle to compete with Reynolds seems like the best bet.
So, with the 59th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select:
Marcus Cannon OT, TCU
Cannon is a mountain of a man, and could very well be one of the best RT prospects in this draft for a team like Atlanta that runs a power-blocking scheme. Sr, 6-5, 358 40 time 5.26 Bench Reps 33 (block quote) Looking at the massive Cannon, it might be surprising to hear teammates identify him as one of the best athletes on the team. He is quite light on his feet for a man his size, a combination of size and athleticism that makes him a coveted prospect among NFL scouts.
Pass blocking: Relatively nimble for his size, but there are concerns about his ability to handle speed on the edge. Difficult for college strong-side ends to get around, especially when technique-sound. Takes short steps off the line, can backpedal when necessary to cut off blitzing linebackers. Enough lateral movement to jar the defensive end with one hand while blocking down to double-team defensive tackles. Allows defenders too far into his body instead of extending his arms to lock them out. Has a strong second punch but it takes some time to land it. Bends at the waist and takes time to recover if punched. Lines up in two-point stance even when his teammates have their hands down because he'll struggle to maintain contact off the snap. Will push off when opponent tries to disengage, instead of keeping his feet moving to sustain.
Run blocking: Has the prototypical size to drive defenders off the line. Uses his size to seal the edge and wall off inside rushing lanes, but does not consistently get his hands up to manhandle smaller players he should dominate. Strong enough to anchor against the bull rush from bigger defensive linemen and turn them out of the hole. Needs to get out of three-point stance more quickly, but might be more explosive when lined up closer to the ball inside.
Pulling/trapping: His fairly quick feet allow him to create holes when trapping inside, but his ability to pull around the line is limited. Tough to shed, but a lack of flexibility prevents him from hitting targets in space or reacting quickly to inside defenders.
Initial Quickness: Only adequate initial quickness; often comes off the snap last. Quick defensive ends can beat him outside, especially when quarterback takes a five- or seven-step drop. Can land a strong punch, but is slow to get his hands up to control his opponent.
Downfield: Can reach linebackers at the second level when he gets out of his stance quickly. Fails to hit targets, only getting a hand on them instead of engulfing them with his size. Defenders often deflect off of his blocks to make plays.
Intangibles: Solid player with good character and work ethic. Added 50 pounds since arriving at TCU. Only missed two games -- with an ankle injury in 2008.
Draft profile via CBS Sports.
Full Schedule & Results:
1. Carolina Panthers (ChiefsFan90s) - Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert
2. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers
3. Buffalo Bills (Arrowdread) - Auburn QB Cam Newton
4. Cincinnati Bengals (Dirty South Chiefs Fan) - Georgia WR A.J. Green
5. Arizona Cardinals (tmurawsk) - Texas A&M OLB Von Miller
6. Cleveland Browns (H2E) - Auburn DT Nick Fairley
7. San Francisco 49ers (Another Successful Tedford QB) - LSU CB Patrick Peterson
8. Tennessee Titans (ejr58) - Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara
9. Dallas Cowboys (IamtheGreatest) - Alabama DL Marcell Dareus
10. Washington Redskins (nmchief) - Alabama WR Julio Jones
11. Houston Texans (FalconMF27) - Missouri DE Aldon Smith
12. Minnesota Vikings (Raven Hawk) - USC OT Tyron Smith
13. Detroit Lions (Matt Hays) - Boston College OT Anthony Castanzo
14. St. Louis Rams (Sam D) - Illinois DT Corey Liuget
15. Miami Dolphins (YerganFlurgan) - Alabama RB Mark Ingram
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (GenericBrand) - Cal DE Cameron Jordan
17. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Temple DE Muhammad Wilkerson
18. San Diego Chargers (Chiefscafan58) - North Carolina DE Robert Quinn
19. New York Giants (flowers 24) - Florida C Mike Pouncey
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (PSUkegreen) - Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan
21. Kansas City Chiefs (Matt_Grbac) - Baylor NT Phil Taylor
22. Indianapolis Colts (saskwatch) - Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi
23. Philadelphia Eagles (OnlyKCFanNVA) - Colorado OT Nate Solder
24. New Orleans Saints (The Other Patrick Allen) - Georgia DE/LB Justin Houston
25. Seattle Seahawks (Simon from KC) - TCU QB Andy Dalton
26. Baltimore Ravens (Ben S) - Colorado CB Jimmy Smith
27. Atlanta Falcons (stagdsp) - Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward
28. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - UCLA LB Akeem Ayers
29. Chicago Bears (KillaCity107) - Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod
30. New York Jets (bradelli58) - Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (scottchief) - Baylor G Danny Watkins
32. Green Bay Packers (Aesthetist) - Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn
Round Two
33. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Miami G Orlando Franklin
34. Buffalo Bills (Arrowdread) - Arizona LB Brooks Reed
35. Cincinnati Bengals (Dirty South Chiefs Fan) - FSU QB Christian Ponder
36. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Oregon State DT Stephen Paea
37. Cleveland Browns (H2E) - Maryland WR Torrey Smith
38. Arizona Cardinals (tmurawsk) - Washington QB Jake Locker
39.Tennessee Titans (ejr58) - Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick
40. Dallas Cowboys (IamtheGreatest) - Texas CB Aaron Williams
41. Washington Redskins (nmchief) - Arkansas QB Ryan Mallet
42. Houston Texans (FalconMF27) - UCLA S Rahim Moore
43. Minnesota Vikings (ravenhawk) - Florida State G/C Rodney Hudson
44. Detroit Lions (Matt Hays) - Miami CB Brandon Harris
45. San Francisco 49ers (Another Successful Tedford QB) - Texas DE/LB Sam Acho
46. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph
47. St. Louis Rams (Sam D) - Miami WR Leonard Hankerson
48. Oakland Raiders (mushin) - Penn State G/C Steve Wisniewski
49. Jacksonville Jaguars (GenericBrand) - Virginia CB Ras-I Dowling
50. San Diego Chargers (Chiefsfaninca58) - UNC DT Marvis Austin
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (PSUkegreen) - Illinois LB Martez Wilson
52. New York Giants (flowers 24) - UNC LB Quan Sturdivant
53. Indianapolis Colts (saskwatch) - Iowa S Tyler Sash
54. Philadelphia Eagles (OnlyKCFanNVA) - Pittsburgh DE/OLB Jabaal Sheard
55. Kansas City Chiefs (Matt_Grbac) - Kentucky WR Randall Cobb
56. New Orleans Saints (The Other Patrick Allen) - Washington OLB Mason Foster
57. Seattle Seahawks (Simon from KC) - Alabama OT James Carpenter
58. Baltimore Ravens (Ben S) - Troy WR Jerrel Jernigan
59. Atlanta Falcons (stagdsp) - TCU OT Marcus Cannon
60. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Tuesday April 19th
61. San Diego Chargers (Chiefsfaninca58) - Tuesday April 19th
62. Chicago Bears (KillaCity107) - Wednesday April 20th
63. Pittsburgh Steelers (scottchief) - Wednesday April 20th
64. Green Bay Packers (Aesthetist) - Wednesday April 20th