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Sunday, April 29, 2007
Drafting for needs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons enter Day 2 of the draft with five picks (they dealt their second of three fourth round picks to Minnesota to move up three slots in the second round) and there are plenty of good players available.
Louisville tailback Michael Bush was a target but Oakland took him with the first pick of the fourth round. The Falcons still want a big back but they also must address their need for a nose tackle. There apparently was some discussion about taking North Carolina State defensive tackle Tank Tyler in the third round but the Falcons opted for wide receiver Laurent Robinson.
Offensive line and linebacker are other need areas that likely will be addressed.
As for the Day 1 haul, the Falcons drafted for need and, to the appeal of many fans, finally spent a high pick for a massive offensive lineman.
The choice of Jamaal Anderson at left defensive end gives Atlanta a big pass rusher to replace Patrick Kerney. The second-round pickup of Justin Blalock gives Atlanta a massive left guard who can hold the pocket in pass protection and move the pile when Atlanta runs. Blalock could emerge as one of the better picks in the draft.
There also is a whole lot of excitement about cornerback Chris Houston, who is relatively small (5-9, 185) but was the strongest pound-for-pound player at the draft combine and one of the faster players there. The Falcons think so highly of him, they did not hesitate to move Jimmy Williams from cornerback to free safety, where he could be a better fit.
DeAngelo Hall, Williams, Lawyer Milloy and Houston give Atlanta a very physical secondary.
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