NFL Draft: Falcons could address TE with first pick

Leading up to this weekend’s NFL Draft, the AJC will look at five areas of need for the Falcons. Today: Tight end.

The Falcons appear to have other needs of higher priority, but coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff have made it clear that they will not ignore the offense.

Enlarge this image

AP

Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew had 42 receptions for 472 yards in his last year in Stillwater.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

RELATED FALCONS LINKS

• Schedule • Beat Blog • Standings
• Draft order | More Draft
• Photos: Mock draft | Past picks | Prospects
• Photos: TEs | CBs | Safeties
• Falcons' needs: LB | TE | CB | S
• Ryan's advice to draftees

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

If a highly rated offensive player is available, they are set to pull the trigger.

Pettigrew is being projected to be available when the Falcons pick with the 24th pick in the first round.

The Falcons attempted to sign a pass-catching tight end — L.J. Smith — during free agency but decided that Smith was not a scheme fit.

They’ve shifted their focus to the very deep pool of talent in this year’s draft.

Along with Pettigrew and Cook, Missouri’s Chase Coffman, Florida’s Cornelius Ingram, Wisconsin’s Travis Beckman, Southern Mississippi’s Shawn Nelson and Rice’s James Casey are considered good pass-catching tight end prospects.

Pettigrew visited the Falcons recently and met with the team at the NFL scouting combine. He’s the most accomplished blocker in the group.

“I blocked well at the college level,” Pettigrew said. “But I know that I’m going to have to pick it up to play in this league. Guys are bigger, faster, stronger than they were in college.”

The Falcons would like to add a tight end who can help the passing attack. With the development of wide receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, they’d like a tight end, who could work the middle of the field and get open deep.

Ingram is a player to keep an eye on. He also played basketball at Florida and has great hands. He ran a 4.68 at the scouting combine.

Kiper is also high on North Carolina’s Richard Quinn, Fresno State’s Bear Pascoe, Virginia’s John Phillips, Boston College’s Ryan Purvis and Michigan’s Carson Butler as late-round prospects.

With the NFL draft taking place this weekend, we look at the Falcons’ needs at tight end and some potential selections.

FIRST-ROUND PROSPECT

Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State

• Height, weight: 6 feet, 5 1/2, 263

• Skinny: Needs just three more credits to get his college degree. A massive tight end with great hands. Ran extremely slow 4.8 time in the 40-yard dash at scouting combine. “Pettigrew is a multi-dimensional player,” said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper. “He’s going to be a first-round pick because he can catch the ball. He’s got a huge frame. He’s an athletic kid and he’s an outstanding blocker.”

MIDDLE-ROUND PROSPECT

Jared Cook, South Carolina

• Height, weight: 6-4 5/8, 246

• Skinny: Has a second- round grade. Could be available when the Falcons pick with the 55th pick. The North Gwinnett High grad dazzled at the combine with a 4.49 time in the 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical jump. Has to improve as a blocker.

LATE-ROUND PROSPECT

Anthony Hill, N.C. State

• Height, weight: 6-5, 262

• Skinny: Missed the 2007 season after reconstructive left knee surgery. His arrow is pointing up after fine offseason workouts. Rated the 8th best tight end in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com. “Another guy who had a decent grade is Anthony Hill out of N.C. State,” Kiper said. “He’s probably in that third- to fifth-round mix.”