Falcons ready to evaluate at scouting combine

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Falcons' braintrust has been holed up in the Flowery Branch facilities, poring over video, sipping energy drinks and re-arranging names on their 2010 draft board.

Sue Ogrocki, ASSOCIATED PRESS Oklahoma State corner would satisfy the Falcons' needs for a bigger corner, but he comes with some character issues.

Your take

Who should the Falcons draft in the first round?

Michigan DE Brandon Graham Oklahoma State cornerback Perrish Cox Boise State's Kyle Wilson Missour linebacker Sean Weatherspoon Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham None of the above

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Now it's time to put faces to those names when the NFL scouting combine opens Wednesday and runs through March 2 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"Myself, [coach] Mike Smith and our entire scouting staff are ramped up about evaluating these players up in Indy," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "We will spend [a great deal] of time digging into their backgrounds and interviewing these players."

More than 300 players, including 25 with ties to Georgia, have been invited to what is tantamount to the NFL's job fair. Performances during the workouts will help some players improve their positions in the league's draft, which will be held April 22-24.

The Falcons selected eight players in the draft last season and seven played defense. After replacing five starters on defense last season, the unit likely will garner more attention in 2010.

"On the defensive side of the ball, this is probably the deepest draft that we've seen in eight years," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "Particularly, at defensive tackle and in the defensive backfield. If you need a defensive tackle, a corner or a safety you could get a quality player deep into the third round."

A coin toss between the Falcons and the Houston Texans will be held Friday to determine the 19th spot in the draft. The loser will pick 20th.

"There is going to be a fine football player at 19," Dimitroff said. "I think there are a number of positions that we are interested in that we should be able to pick from a very good group of players."

Here's a look at five players who could be on the Falcons' board when they select at either No. 19 or No. 20:

• Brandon Graham, defensive end, Michigan: Some teams consider him a linebacker, but the Falcons consider him a defensive end. He measured 6-foot-1, 263 pounds at the Senior Bowl. "Brandon Graham has got one of the best motors in the draft," Mayock said. "He reminds me a lot of LaMarr Woodley, who played before him at Michigan, and he's played extremely well with the Pittsburgh Steelers."
• Perrish Cox, cornerback, Oklahoma State: For much of his career, he regularly worked in practice against one of the best receivers in the nation -- Dez Bryant. He would satisfy the team's need for a bigger cornerback. There are some character questions after he was kicked off the team for the Cotton Bowl and about his three children. "On tape I like him, but he's got very inconsistent techniques," Mayock said. "He can help you very much on special teams. His [back] pedal is a little bit high. ... He's got first-round talent, but right now I've got a second-round grade on him."
• Kyle Wilson, cornerback, Boise State: Is 5-11 and a very fluid player. Played well at the Senior Bowl. Might not be available when the Falcons pick. Mayock has him rated as his No. 2 cornerback behind Florida's Joe Haden.
• Sean Weatherspoon, linebacker, Missouri: The Falcons might elect to add to their linebacker group. Weatherspoon is a versatile performer, who could play all three spots. The Falcons are set at middle linebacker with Curtis Lofton. "Sean Weatherspoon is a solid first-round pick. He will go somewhere between 16 and 25," Mayock said. "He's a little bit short. He's got short arms, but when you watch him play, he's explosive. He flies all over the field. ... I like him at the weak outside linebacker spot."
• Jermaine Gresham, tight end, Oklahoma: Tony Gonzalez has two years left on this contract, but he flirted with retirement after last season before choosing to return for 2010. With Gresham the Falcons would get a talented young understudy. However, most of the defensive talent would have to be off the board for this move to happen. "I'm looking to see him run somewhere in the 4.6s, and I'm looking to see him catch the football and cut on that bad knee," Mayock said. "He could go to Cincinnati at 21. ... I think he's the first tight end off the board."