With a strong Sr. Bowl week, is UVA's Chris Cook on Atlanta's board? (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Atlanta Falcons fans should be happy about one thing: their quarterback situation is settled enough that their team won't be involved in the Tim Tebow debate/derby.
One of the players the Falcons met with last Sunday night, as the nation's top seniors gathered in Mobile, Alabama for the annual Senior Bowl all-star game, may have played himself out of Atlanta's range.
Ole Miss running back/wide receiver Dexter McCluster has had an outstanding week and with this past season's performance of Vikings utility man Percy Harvin, more teams are interested in bringing in their own speedy, dynamic pocketknife-type of player. McCluster fits the bill and played his way into the late-first to third round in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Senior Bowl week of practice is all about risers and sliders and Atlanta is developing their draft board as a result of what they saw this past week. As the game gets underway on Saturday at 4 PM, there are some key players, positions, and situations that fans of the Falcons should be on the lookout for.
1) Brandon Graham--The Michigan product has impressed many this week with his energy, enthusiasm for the game, and nonstop motor on the practice field. Slightly undersized, he plays bigger than his listed size. Filling a position of need from either the defensive end or outside linebacker, Graham is the kind of player in which Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff will be interested. Graham is a team captain, a team MVP, a productive college player over multiple years, and is a high-character player to boot. He's got the tangibles and the intangibles and may be a target of the Falcons.
2) John Jerry-- Jerry improved his stock tremendously in Mobile, arriving with a big, imposing body that remains athletic. A guard in college at Ole Miss, Jerry was also lined up at right tackle some this week and played well there as well. Jerry perhaps improved his fifth-round grade by his play, but could still be on Atlanta's radar. Some improved depth and more talent is necessary on the Falcons' offensive line and Jerry has shown good versatility and ability. If Dimitroff gets a second third-round pick (compensatory selection) he may choose to use it on the O-line. Bringing in Jerry to be with last year's No. 1, Peria Jerry, his brother, could be a wise move for the development of both players. Peria and John, both young men with deep connection to family, would benefit from having each other around.
3) Wide Receiver-- Atlanta is set with late-Pro Bowl addition Roddy White. But after White things are a little muddier. Michael Jenkins is a complimentary piece in Atlanta's passing game whose strong suit is run blocking. Harry Douglas can be a playmaker, but he's coming back from a lost 2009 with an ACL injury. The drop-off is even steeper after those three. Veterans Marty Booker and Brian Finneran likely won't be back and third-year man Eric Weems is basically just a depth player with contributing moments. Atlanta won't use a top pick on a wide receiver, but they make look to some of the later middle rounds to help upgrade the position and find a prospect that could develop into a key piece. At 6'4", Florida's Riley Cooper could be a possession-type guy in Atlanta's range. He's had a solid week catching the ball, but many scouts believe it's debatable whether his speed is exceptionl. Tulane's Jeremy Williams is another solid guy that's had a good week. Like Cooper, he lacks top-end speed, but he's athletic, physical, and a solid route-runner. 6'3", 223 pound Joe Webb from UAB is a guy who has shown good hands this week. Ole Miss' Shay Hodge impressed scouts this week with catches and an ability to use his body, though he's another good-hands, bad-speed guy.
4) Play of second-tier cornerbacks-- If you're under the belief that Atlanta won't draft a cornerback in the first round, guys like Patrick Robinson and Perrish Cox may not be available when Atlanta looks to address corner in perhaps the third round. Boise State's Kyle Wilson had a phenomenal week and probably won't be available as well. Keep an eye on Virginia's Chris Cook. Cook had a great week and has exceptional size. The 6'1", 212 corner showed physical and athletic play all week, but doesn't have great speed. He does make up for it with solid instincts. Devin McCourty may not make it to the third round, but he had a good showing this week. He showed strong skills in press coverage, but is also a better run defender than he's been able to show.
5) Tight end play-- A guy like Miami's Jimmy Graham could be intriguing for Atlanta as a backup and developmental player behind Tony Gonzalez. Graham's shown good hands and route running, but also a lack of polish. He got lost at times during scrimmage. He may have improved his stock from fourth round to third. Mike Hoomanawanui of Illinois showed a good all-around game this week, but lacks speed and explosion. Smarts, good hands, and strong blocking are what he brings to the table.
6) Centers-- It may not be a huge need, but if Atlanta sees value in the middle rounds at center, they may choose to snag one of their own with an eye toward veteran Todd McClure's eventual retirement. A handful of guys that stood out are Boston College's Matt Tennant, USC's Jeff Byers, and Baylor's J.D. Walton.
7) Keep an eye on kickers-- The kicking game is far from exciting, but can become critical when it goes wrong, as Atlanta fans learned this season. Dimitroff may not draft a kicker, but it never hurts to keep an eye on some guys that may join the team as undrafted free agents. Leigh Tiffin and Brett Swenson are all you have to choose from. Swenson showed reliability, but Tiffin showed a strong leg in place kicking situations.
8) Watch special teams play--Special teams play in terms of tackling, not so much return men. Watch for guys who play with enthusiasm and effort on special teams. Dimitroff will be looking for guys that understand that that phase of the game is critical to their NFL future. Many third-round players and above will be required to perform on special teams. Linebackers like MSU's Jamar Chaney, Utah's Koa Misi, and Washington's Donald Butler are all players who could provide depth and special teams play while perhaps being groomed for a starting job. Safeties like Kurt Coleman Ohio State, LSU's Harry Coleman, and FSU's Myron Rolle are other players to watch.
ATLANTA FALCONS OFFSEASON COVERAGE
I always love to hear what you've got to say. Leave a comment or email me for the Weekly Mailbag: jdanielcox@gmail.com. Click "subscribe" to receive emails whenever a new article is posted. Follow me on Twitter.
Comments