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 linebackers.

Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo is from the 757 area code. That's the Norfolk, Virginia area that the Falcons dipped into for Michael Vick, DeAngelo Hall, Chris Crocker and Jimmy Williams.

However, Vick is indefinitely suspended and in prison, Hall and Crocker are departed and Williams is fighting for a spot in the secondary.

"I'm definitely representing the 757 area code with guys like [Virginia Tech linebackers] Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi," Mayo said at the NFL scouting combine in February. "But before us there were a lot of guys, Michael Vick, Allen Iverson and Plaxico Burress. I'm just trying to continue the legacy."

The Falcons starting linebacker corps appears set with Michael Boley at strongside, Keith Brooking in the middle and Stephen Nicholas at weakside. But a versatile player like Mayo may be appealing to the Falcons. The need depth and an heir apparent to Brooking.

Mayo projects as a middle linebacker, but he also played two seasons outside at Tennessee. The Falcons would have to use one of their second-round picks to land Mayo.

"The guy that's the most intriguing is Jerod Mayo," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. "He is a Tennessee linebacker who played outside in their bowl game and did a great job. By my own grade, he's the best linebacker in the draft."

Mayo could watch, contribute on special teams and then be ready to take over in a year of two.

If the Falcons decide they want to stay out of the 757 area code, they could opt for Penn State's Dan Connor or Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is a big fan of Lofton.

"You look at other middle linebackers other than Mayo, a couple of guys in that mix, I consider Dan Connor one of those versatile guys who can play both positions," Kiper said. "To me if you look at the middle linebacker spot, another guy, Jeremy Leman at Illinois. He doesn't have great speed, but he was productive. He's probably a fourth or fifth rounder."

Kiper also mentioned Vanderbilt's Jonathan Goff as a fine linebacker prospect.

Leman, who had 10.5 tackles for losses last season, appears worthy of a close look.

"He needs to be protected by your (defensive) line so he can flow to the football," Kiper said. "He's an instinctive kid. He diagnoses quickly. But to get outside to the flanks and close off those lanes, for a 4.85 guy, it's going to be tougher."

Leman played outside his first two seasons at Tennessee and roamed the middle last season.

"After the first three games — I had to make a few adjustments — and I became settled in at the middle and I kind of enjoyed it," Mayo said.

Some compare Mayo to former Tennessee linebacker Al Wilson. But he knows there are still things to master at the middle linebacker spot.

"I feel like I play the run real well, I'm a downhill type of linebacker," said Mayo, who left Tennessee after his junior season. "In pass coverage, I play the matchup zones pretty well. I can improve in certain aspects of my game, spot drops and things like that.

The talent level at the linebacker position this draft compares favorable to recent years.

"I think it has a chance to be an impact group," Tennessee general manager Mike Reinfeldt said.

Pittsburgh's director of football operations Kevin Colbert said, "It's not the strongest of all the positions in the draft, but it's still pretty good."