Atlanta Falcons Team Needs

By: Greg Davis

Offensive Line
The Falcons can start improving up front, at the offensive tackle position. While they may not spend an early pick on this position—based on value on the board—they could work to improve this position in the middle and late rounds, with the hope that one of their picks is ready to play at the NFL level right away. The left tackle position in particular is one of great concern. The current pair of left tackles on the depth chart are not going to be able to get the job done effectively. The team has to find another option at this spot so that they can protect their quarterback and open holes for Michael Turner, their newly acquired free agent running back.

Quarterback
At quarterback, the team has re-signed Joey Harrington and they are still carrying Chris Redman as well. Atlanta may very well use one of their early draft picks to bring in a quarterback who can spend a season learning and then take over when they’re ready to do so. If Atlanta can find a quarterback ready to start immediately, it wouldn’t hurt, but the turnaround will take some time, so the team could look similar to last season at the position with hope on the horizon.

Linebacker
There is relative youth at linebacker, but there needs to be an upgrade in talent and depth as the team prepares for the future. Keith Brooking might be better served on the outside rather than in the middle, and Stephen Nicholas is still developing himself. If the team isn’t sure about going with Nicholas in the long run, picking up another linebacker would be a move to watch for. The value left on the board at a given pick will dictate their decision on this one.

Cornerback
At cornerback, Chris Houston is coming off of a rookie season in which he showed progress. He has a long way to go as he matures and learns at the professional level, but as he gains more experience he shouldn’t have a problem turning into a solid player. The real need exists now because of the trade of DeAngelo Hall. Hall made it clear that he wasn’t happy in Atlanta, and while many consider him one of the better corners in the league, the Falcons had to trade him. Losing one of the better corners in the league will always create a hole, so the team must find another player to work into the mix at the position in the hopes that the loss of Hall isn’t a huge step backwards.

Defensive Line
Atlanta’s need to add talent on the defensive line at the tackle spot is a reality. While it isn’t as pressing a need as the need for an offensive tackle, the team still doesn’t have top tier talent at the position. They have depth and they would be able to head into the season with the current group, but they couldn’t expect to improve much defensively without bringing in a tackle that can challenge for a starting spot. They could wait until later in the draft to add a tackle and hope that they get good value from their board.