Editor's Note: The AJC will run a series of stories leading up to the NFL Draft focusing on a position as it relates to the Falcons' needs. Today's story focuses on quarterbacks.

It's not a matter of whether the Falcons will select a quarterback at next week's NFL draft. It's when.

The only suspense centers on when first-year general manager Thomas Dimitroff pulls the trigger with the 11 picks the Falcons have amassed.

"For the most part, especially this group of quarterbacks that we're speaking about, they all can adapt to whatever situation," Dimitroff said recently at the NFL owners meetings. "They're not system-specific so much so that they would not survive with a particular team. The intelligence all of them have; certain traits — some may be more long-ball throwers, others more adept underneath."

Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith come from organizations that elected to develop quarterbacks who were selected outside the bright lights of the first round.

Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan is considered the top prospect at the position. However, the Falcons have needs at other positions and could pass on him with the No. 3 pick.

"Matt Ryan, like the rest of these fellas we're talking about this high in the first round, he's a very intelligent individual," Dimitroff said. "He's very adept at throwing the ball, moving around the field. He's a good football player, as is [Michigan offensive tackle] Jake Long, as is [LSU defensive tackle] Glenn Dorsey, [Virginia defensive end] Chris Long and [Ohio State defensive end] Vernon Gholston. Those guys are very solid football players, not only with skills but intelligence."

If the Falcons do pass on Ryan, he doesn't figure to drop too far like Brady Quinn last year and Aaron Rodgers did in 2005. With the retirement of Steve McNair, Baltimore needs a quarterback, and the Chiefs aren't sure if Brodie Croyle is the answer in Kansas City.

"If he doesn't go to Kansas City at five, he goes to Baltimore at eight," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. "Those are the teams that make the most sense for Ryan."

Given the Falcons more pressing needs along both lines and in the secondary, they can get a lineman early and then take a quarterback in the second round. The Falcons hold the 34th, 37th and 48th overall picks (all in the second round).

"Now, if they go defensive tackle over quarterback, they've got [three] second-round picks and they could take either a Brian Brohm [Louisville] or a Joe Flacco [Delaware] or Chad Henne [Michigan]," Kiper said.

In March, the Falcons, including owner Arthur Blank, traveled the country working out quarterbacks.

Ryan held his pro day on March 18 at Boston College. They saw Flacco in Delaware. Henne in Ann Arbor, Brohm in Louisville and USC's John David Booty and San Diego's Josh Johnson in California. Blank was in attendance at Brohm's workout.

Booty had to perform some board work — diagramming plays and recognizing defenses. He worked out the next day. Brohm's classroom session and workout came on the same day.

There is no clear-cut No. 2 quarterback in the group.

"Brian Brohm from Louisville is my guy at No. 2," Kiper said. "Flacco from Delaware is right in there, as well as Chad Henne. Either one of those three could be your No. 2 quarterback."

The Falcons could still pick linemen in the second round and wait until later on the quarterback.

"You've got several third-round guys; Erik Ainge from Tennessee, John David Booty from USC and maybe a Josh Johnson from San Diego," Kiper said.

Kiper believes there are as many as 12 quarterbacks in this draft who could eventually play in the NFL.

If the Falcons wait past the second round, Paul Smith from Tulsa was impressive at the NFL scouting combine. Smith passed for more than 10,000 yards in his career.