Brandon Graham, LB, Michigan.
Playing the role of Atlanta GM is 'daddyzander.' He writes:
With the 19th pick in the draft, the Atlanta Falcons have a few options, but really only one that stands out (in my mind anyway, and what do i know). Heading into the off season they had several areas they needed to address, mostly on the defensive side of the ball.
The three main areas of need were DB, OLB and DE. With the signing of Daunta Robinson early in free agency the Falcons quickly addressed (in there minds anyway) there DB need. With that done, there needs became more of a athletic OLB and a pass-rushing DE.
In this particular mock scenario, Weatherspoon is no longer an option, therefore DE is the pick. There are several mid- to late first-round graded DEs, but on my board, Graham is the highest rated over Everson Griffen of USC and Jason Pierre-Paul.
Graham is a little on the small side, but is an undeniably talented player, able to take former first\-round pick Jamaal Anderson's spot on the team opposite John Abraham. Anderson himself being the main reason why I believe the Falcons are more inclined to take the more polished NFL ready player, than the one-year wonder with the better ceiling but higher bust factor. The fact that Thomas Dimitroff has shown a tendency to take more proven college players versus workout wonders (see Sam baker) lends to this pick as well.
Also, as much as a running back combination of C.J. Spiller and Michael Turner is appealing, I believe the Falcons will feel they can address their change of pace back and DB positions in later picks. Even with no second-round selection, they now have two in the third round
My take: A solid pick for the Falcons. Pierre-Paul might be the big home run here, but he also might be a complete whiff. Graham is the safer choice at a position where the Falcons need help.
'BitterEli' is up next with the Houston Texans selection.
Remember, to read explanations for previous picks click the highlighted player name in the table below.
| POS | TEAM | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL | DRAFTER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | Sam Bradford | QB | Oklahoma | Soldier_ |
| 2 | Detroit | Ndamukong Suh | DT | Nebraska | soulpower |
| 3 | Tampa Bay | Gerald McCoy | DT | Oklahoma | i_formation27 |
| 4 | Washington | Russell Okung | OT | Oklahoma State | G Fan in England |
| 5 | Kansas City | Eric Berry | S | Tennessee | ronjohnson |
| 6 | Seattle | Jimmy Clausen | QB | Notre Dame | CCE718 |
| 7 | Cleveland | Dez Bryant | WR | Oklahoma State | GreatGatsby |
| 8 | Oakland | Bruce Campbell | OT | Maryland | Hoyadestroya85 |
| 9 | Buffalo | Dan Williams | DT | Tennessee | The Greek |
| 10 | Jacksonville | Joe Haden | CB | Florida | jp2y |
| 11 | Denver | Rolando McClain | ILB | Alabama | NYG_Slater |
| 12 | Miami | Jerry Hughes | DE/OLB | Texas Christian | sunlion333 |
| 13 | San Francisco | Bryan Bulaga | OT | Iowa | RIPShea |
| 14 | Seattle | Trent Williams | OT | Oklahoma | Ed V. |
| 15 | N.Y. Giants | Derrick Morgan | DE | Georgia | Ed Valentine |
| 16 | Tennessee | Sergio Kindle | OLB | Texas | Json |
| 17 | San Francisco | Sean Weatherspoon | B | Missouri | RIPShea |
| 18 | Pittsburgh | Mike Iupati | G | Idaho | ross_stephen |
| 19 | Atlanta | Brandon Graham | DE | Michigan | daddyzander |
| 20 | Houston | BitterEli | |||
| 21 | Cincinnati | Woogie526 | |||
| 22 | New England | Ryan Valentine | |||
| 23 | Green Bay | Dan Luibil | |||
| 24 | Philadelphia | Bye Dawk | |||
| 25 | Baltimore | Larry Soprano | |||
| 26 | Arizona | Snipah | |||
| 27 | Dallas | pataroons | |||
| 28 | San Diego | hakeemthedream | |||
| 29 | N.Y. Jets | Brooklyn58 | |||
| 30 | Minnesota | hurikaine | |||
| 31 | Indianapolis | Charles L. | |||
| 32 | New Orleans | GiantsReignSupreme |