SBNation NFL Mock Draft, Pick 3: The Atlanta Falcons Select...
by Brian Galliford
on Apr 1, 2008 9:50 AM EDT
in 2008 NFL Draft
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 No. 3 |
 Pick by The FalcoholicJake Long Offensive Tackle Michigan |
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After the Rams' upset pick (see below post), the Atlanta Falcons are giddy about using their third overall selection to take Jake Long, OT, Michigan. Dave the Falconer, head blogger at SB Nation's Falcons blog, The Falcoholic, made the selection and provided this analysis:
We in the world of sports tend to bandy about the term "no-brainer" quite a bit. Oftentimes, the can't miss prospect everyone pleads for turns out to require a little more brain--or cause a few more headaches--than anticipated.
With that said, this pick really was a no-brainer for the Falcons. After enduring perhaps the most gruesome season of our sad-sack history in 2007, change was clearly needed. A new general manager and new coach who seem to buy into the idea of building a team from the ground up are the results, and I for one couldn't be more excited. Everything they've indicated in interviews points to them avoiding QB Matt Ryan and trying to fill the team's most desperate need: the offensive line.
That's why Jake Long makes sense here. He's got terrific size, good footwork and some kung-fu blocking skills that will serve the Falcons well. He'll step in and immediately improve that most critical spot on the line at left tackle, and he has little to nothing in the way of character or injury concerns. He's quite simply a safe, solid and smart pick at #3, which makes him perfect for a rebuilding team.
The Falcons can get a potential franchise quarterback in the early second round this year, but there were no other Jake Longs. In the end, he's exactly what a long-suffering fanbase needs to see - a sigil of stability.
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:
A very solid, if not surprising, pick for Atlanta. The franchise is clearly rebuilding their image and their strategy. Long will give Atlanta a bookend tackle for the next decade, something every team covets. He's a mauler in the running game, with the new task of opening holes for free agent Michael Turner. The Falcons have looked past the obvious need at quarterback, but with so many picks in the top two rounds, they can afford to wait. Atlanta must address the need at quarterback, as well as adding a cornerback to replace DeAngelo Hall. While Long will definitely help immediately, this is a best player available pick.
Grade: B :: Jake Long Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top 5 Prospects Remaining -- 1. RB Darren McFadden, 2. DT Glenn Dorsey, 3. QB Matt Ryan, 4. DT Sedrick Ellis, 5. CB Leodis McKelvin
Along we roll! We've got two more picks coming your way today (next posting: 3PM ET) with the Oakland Raiders, represented by Silver and Black Pride, on the clock! The fifth pick will follow later on this evening.
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I respectfully disagree
I feel our greatest need was on the offensive line. Most of our starters are either backup-grade or hurt, and we haven't had a real left tackle for years because Michael Vick needed a right tackle to protect him. I view the pick of Long as satisfying that need, not selecting the best player available.
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 1, 2008 10:23 AM EDT 0 recs
I was kind of shocked too
That this graded out "low" with a B (though, as a college student, Bs are cause for celebration, especially at my institution). If Long is there, he's a shoo-in over a DT like Dorsey; otherwise, I think the Falcons go with the big guy from LSU.
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 1, 2008 11:24 AM EDT
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i like the pick
by NickPampani on Apr 1, 2008 10:24 AM EDT 0 recs
Hmm
Brennan in round two? Probably 5 or 6. He's too skinny, can't make many throws and his workouts have been horrible.
Dallas has said they will not be trading up, as it would financially ruin them to pay a top pick.
The pick is solid, and smart, like I said in the analysis.
by MattMiller on
Apr 1, 2008 10:33 AM EDT
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Agreed on Brennan
Though as you mentioned, the depth in QBs this year assures the Falcons that someone will be there when they go out for Round 2. With so many picks this year, the Falcons can either remake their franchise or screw everything up horribly as usual.
And Matt, thanks again for the hosting and analysis.
by Dave the Falconer on
Apr 1, 2008 10:39 AM EDT
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come on...
by NickPampani on
Apr 1, 2008 10:39 AM EDT
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Yes...
That's true, but Dallas has nothing to gain by lying here. Let's tell the media and all 31 other teams we're not interested in trading? The smart move, should they want to trade, would be to let people know. Keeping the other GMs pressured to call Dallas should they want to make a move.
Where has it ever been said that Jones likes McFadden? Has Jerry himself been quoted? In fact, it's all because McFadden is from Arkansas. It's worth mentioning that under Jerry Jones, Dallas has drafted ZERO players from Arkansas.
by MattMiller on
Apr 1, 2008 10:55 AM EDT
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good point Matt
I keep hearing that Jerry loves McFadden and the only reason I've heard is b/c Jerry is an Arkansas alum. It's just a case of someone trying to make a story out of nothing.
by cgolden on
Apr 1, 2008 11:30 AM EDT
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you made some good points but still
by NickPampani on
Apr 1, 2008 11:56 AM EDT
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i think we got away from my original point.
I do however wonder what your opinion is on my original point, which was that if long is gone by now this is a possible trading point. with long gone I could see atlanta trading back into picks 10- 15 because a tackle there would coust considerably less. and with that trade they would be able to get other picks aswell and adress more needs for less money.
by NickPampani on
Apr 1, 2008 12:37 PM EDT
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Hypothetically...
If Long is gone there are so many other players that can help Atlanta. The first component of any trade is the trade partner. Who would ATL move with? They have so many picks in the top 63, so moving down isn't a huge need. I think if Long is gone they go BPA, which would be Matt Ryan or one of the DTs.
by MattMiller on
Apr 1, 2008 1:05 PM EDT
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Question for Matt
How likely is that Atlanta uses one or two of their 2nd round picks to move up into the first round? By the draft value chart, they could package #37 and #48 and move into the range of #17, or #37 and #68 could put them in the #22-23 range. Is this something that might happen, or are the Falcons more likely to stand pat and take 4 players in the first 2 rounds?
by gatling on
Apr 1, 2008 1:17 PM EDT
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Good question
I think it's very likely. When you look at how many needs they have (QB, OT, DL, CB), Atlanta could easily move back into the first round in order to secure a more talented player, especially at cornerback. On the other hand, like you pointed out, getting 4 players in 63 picks is a nice way to overhaul your roster.
The real question is: Does ATL need 2 possible Pro Bowlers, or 4 very good starters?
by MattMiller on
Apr 1, 2008 1:22 PM EDT
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Speaking just for myself
We're a pretty awful team as it stands, so four very good starters would be my choice.
Matt, in your opinion, who would the Falcons target if they moved up into the 20's? You mentioned a corner, and I'm curious to see who you think might be left for them at this point.
by Dave the Falconer on
Apr 1, 2008 1:25 PM EDT
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CBs
I love Antoine Cason of Arizona. He's a physical cover man with good speed and size. He'd match up well against NFC South receivers, as they are mostly big and not overly fast. If Cason is gone, there's a chance they go for someone like Justin King (Penn State) or Aqib Talib (Kansas). Both are very athletic guys who could play in nickel situations at worst in their first year.
by MattMiller on
Apr 1, 2008 1:30 PM EDT
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I don't know much about Cason
But a physical corner sounds right up our alley. We have a couple of young, talented guys in Chris Houston and David Irons, but neither project to be true #1 corners in any system.
Not to bombard you with questions, but would someone like King be around in the second round?
by Dave the Falconer on
Apr 1, 2008 1:32 PM EDT
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Keep 'em coming
King could be around. His value is hard to gauge because he had an off year as a junior. It's a gamble to wait on him, but there is so much talent at CB that waiting until Rd 2 would not be a mistake if you had a player at another position ranked the same.
by MattMiller on
Apr 1, 2008 1:37 PM EDT
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Tough call
I'm not a Falcons fan, but with the cache of early picks plus Dimitroff coming from the Pioli/Belicheck school of thought, it seems like a reasonable spot for some activity. If it were me, I'd look at packing #37 and the third rounder to move into the early to mid 20's and land another guy, then you still have #34 and #48 to fill out some quality depth.
Another question here, how close are McKelvin and Rodgers-Cromartie? Are these guys just so good that the Pats would stay at #7 to grab one if Gholston is gone, or is there enough depth at CB in the draft where the Pats could try and move back and save some cash?
by gatling on
Apr 1, 2008 1:29 PM EDT
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DRC vs McKelvin
Both are good, but neither has been challenged. My firs t live look at both was in Mobile for Senior Bowl week. Their games are similar, but McKelvin is a dynamic return man who will immediately be a stud on special teams. I could see NE staying pat and taking either of them, or maybe Mike Jenkins (USF).
by MattMiller on
Apr 1, 2008 1:31 PM EDT
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Trade with PIT
I'd love to see the Steelers trade down especially if all of the premier OL are gone (Long, Clady, Otah, Williams and Albert). Two second rounds pick would sound like a nice trade. That would give them plenty of flexibility to get some combination of Baker, Cherilus, Collins or Balmer (DT).
by cgolden on
Apr 1, 2008 2:23 PM EDT
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