Flowery Branch — Southern California left tackle Sam Baker had an inkling that he would be drafted by the Falcons.

Just not in the first round, with the 21st pick overall.

"I had a feeling that I was going to go there, but I thought I was going to go with one of those second-round picks," said Baker, who visited the Falcons on April 7. "My only other visit was with the Redskins and I think they had the pick."

After taking the quarterback of the future at No.3, the Falcons made a major move up to draft Baker to get Matt Ryan some protection. The Falcons lined up Pat McCoy at left tackle during their recent mini-camp.

The key position, which protects the quarterback's blind side on pass plays, was a problem for the Falcons last season.

Wayne Gandy, who opened last season there, has been released. Todd Weiner and Renardo Foster are coming back from knee injuries, and Quinn Ojinnaka was moved to left guard during the recent mini-camp.

After the expected early run on offensive linemen, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff made his first major trade and jumped back into the first round to select Baker.

The Falcons sent two second-round picks (Nos. 34 and 48) and their fourth-round pick (No. 103) to Washington for the 21st pick, a third-rounder (No. 84) and a fifth-round pick (No. 154).

Baker was the seventh offensive lineman taken in the first round.

After drafting Ryan, Dimitroff tipped off that he was looking to get back into the first round.

"We've discussed our options [in Round 2] and that's where honestly a lot of the hypotheticals have come about, because we are sitting there with three picks and two in the third," Dimitroff said.

"Our thoughts are that we are very open to the ideal of trading into the 20s. We've had a lot of interest, with people knocking on our doors looking for the 34th and 37th pick."

Baker was projected to be the second tackle taken behind Wisconsin's Joe Thomas had he entered the draft after his junior season. But he elected to return for his senior season.

After never missing a practice in four seasons, he broke his ribs and tore a hamstring, causing him to miss three starts and major parts of two other games.

While Baker is expected to land the left tackle position, the Falcons plan to cross-train all of their lineman at different positions.

"When I went to Atlanta, they talked about playing me at all different kinds of positions," Baker said. "I think when I get there, I'm going to play them all."

He hopes to settle at left tackle.

"I've played left tackle for the past four seasons, so that's probably where I'm most comfortable.

Baker was recruited by Southern Cal as a guard.

"I know Justin Blalock really well and he said there are bunch of great guys there," Baker said. "I'm just looking to come in and compete."

Baker's dad, David Baker, is the commissioner of the Arena Football League. He has no plans to also play for the Georgia Force, who are also owned by Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

"That would be tough," Baker said. "I've been to a Georgia Force game. My dad speaks very highly of [Blank]."

It was a long day for Baker, who woke up at 7:30 a.m. and went to play golf with his father. After golf, they went to L.A. Fitness in Tustin, Calif., to work out.

After leaving the gym, they started to pray and then Baker's cellphone rang. It was Dimitroff on the other end telling him of the selection.

"I believe in God and I know God has a plan for me," Baker said.

Baker's father has been a guiding light throughout the process.

"He said, don't let your draft position change who you are," Baker said. "You know, if you are the first pick or the last pick, don't let it change who you are."

Baker believes that his draft stock dropped because of his injuries and that he was considered to have short arms for a lineman after getting measured at the NFL scouting combine.

"Unfortunately, I had a tough injury and there are certain intangibles that they look for in offensive linemen and I didn't necessarily have them, but it worked out in the end," Baker said. "I was telling my dad that if it wasn't for the combine, I would not have known that I had short arms. I always thought I had long arms."

With the 37th overall pick in the draft, the Falcons selected Oklahoma inside linebacker Curtis Lofton.

"They feel like I can play all three linebacker positions," Lofton said. "We'll just mix it up and see what position fits best."

He played some outside linebacker earlier in his career at Oklahoma.

"I came to Oklahoma as a middle linebacker," Lofton said. "I'm also comfortable outside."