Now that the major free agent signings have been finalized, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team heading into the 2016 NFL Draft. Today, the Atlanta Falcons are the focus.
In 2015 the Falcons started the season 5-0, under first year head coach Dan Quinn, before going 3-8 (including a six game losing streak) the rest of the way. Atlanta’s 8-8 record was not good enough to make the playoffs in the tough NFC. The Falcons were only 4-4 at home and 1-5 against their NFC South opponents.
Dan Quinn’s team needs to improve in 2016, especially since the Falcons have failed to make the postseason each of the past three seasons, and they only have five picks this year (fewest of any team). The team is also roughly only $26.5M under the salary cap for the coming season. Having only five draft picks and being close to the salary cap really puts a premium on Atlanta’s front office being correct with their selections. Below are the positions Atlanta should address through the NFL Draft to help the organization take a step forward in 2016.
The Falcons full 2016 draft order is below:
Round 1: Pick 17
Round 2: Pick 50
Round 3: Pick 81
Round 4: Pick 115
Round 7: Pick 238
The Falcons had to surrender their fifth round pick because of Noisegate, where the organizations was found guilty of pumping artificial crowd noise into the stadium in 2014.
ATLANTA FALCONS 2016 NFL DRAFT: TOP 3 NEEDS
Defensive Line
In 2015 Atlanta ranked dead last in sacks, tallying a measly 19.0, 33.0 behind the Denver Broncos who led the league. The Falcons drafted former Clemson Tiger Vic Beasley with the eighth pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and Beasley led the team with just four sacks. In 2016, Atlanta needs to select another pass rusher to pair with the former Clemson standout. Football teams need to be strong in three key areas: quarterback, offensive line (protect your quarterback) and defensive line (get after opposing quarterbacks). The Falcons failed miserably in their attempt to get to the quarterbacks they faced last season. If the Dirty Birds hope to take a step forward (i.e. challenge for the division and get back to the playoffs after their three year hiatus), they need add at least one impact pass rusher through the draft.
Players like Leonard Floyd (Georgia) and DeForest Buckner (Oregon) could potentially be available for Dan Quinn’s team when their turn comes around in the first round.
Linebacker
Just a short time ago the Falcons were more than solid at linebacker, but the position has not held up in recent memory. Atlanta’s defense was abysmal (worst in the league) at covering tight ends and running backs, allowing 213 combined completions. Beefing up their linebacking corps would help the Falcons improve in this area.
It is possible that Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame), who was previously considered to be a top-five pick before he tore his ACL and MCL on Jan. 1 in the Fiesta Bowl, is available for the Falcons at 17. If last season’s Butkus Award (given to the nation’s top linebacker) is not available at 17, or if the Falcons don’t feel comfortable with how his knee is healing, they could look at Scooby Wright (Arizona) in the first round, unless Myles Jack (UCLA) is somehow available at 17. The Falcons could also potentially target Leonard Floyd (Georgia) this year.
Offensive Line – Guard
Atlanta surrendered only 32 sacks in 2015 (tied for eighth fewest in the NFL), but the interior of their offensive line was pressured on a regular basis, throughout the season. The Falcons are set at center (Alex Mack was recently signed) and at tackle (Ryan Schraeder and Jake Matthews), and they just re-signed last season’s starting right guard, Chris Chester. But the Dirty Birds need to get better at the guard position (both Chester and left guard Andy Levitre need to improve) if they hope to be able to run the ball effectively and protect their franchise quarterback, Matt Ryan.
It’s doubtful that the Falcons stand pat with the guards currently on their roster; they will most likely draft at that position this year. Atlanta has been zeroing in on some guards in this year’s draft, including Joshua Garnett (Stanford), Graham Glasgow (Michigan), Joe Dahl (Washington State), and Jack Allen (Michigan State). With the re-signing of Chester it remains to be seen if the Falcons will use their first round pick on a guard, but chances are they use one of their five selections this year to try to improve at guard.
The Falcons could also look to improve at safety through the draft, but the above positions should be addressed first. Atlanta does not really have any room for error in this year’s draft; hopefully they put their five picks to good use.
