NFL Draft: Falcons could look at add CBs

Leading up to this weekend’s NFL Draft, the AJC will look at five areas of need for the Falcons. Cornerbacks are the focus of today’s third part of the series.

Last season, the Falcons acquired Domonique Foxworth from the Broncos before the start of the regular season - and he became arguably their best cornerback.

Foxworth took over at left cornerback - DeAngelo Hall’s old spot - and started the final 10 games. He had 11 passes defensed and one interception. His numbers weren’t gaudy, but most teams elected to throw more at right cornerback Chris Houston.

Brent Grimes, who opened the season as the starter, is No. 1 at the spot now that Foxworth bolted for the Ravens, but he and Houston can look for some competition to come out of this draft.

Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins, the top cornerback in the draft, does not figure to fall to the 24th spot. However, Vontae Davis, a gifted athlete, won’t pass the Falcons’ character test.

“Supremely talented, enigmatic man-cover corner whose character will turn over many teams,” wrote Nolan Nawrocki in the Pro Football Weekly’s 2009 draft preview. “Is the most physically gifted cornerback in the draft, but falls alarmingly short in areas of discipline, desire and coachability.”

Davis is the brother of San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis.

Connecticut’s Darrius Butler is the third rated corner and is an intriguing athlete. Wake Forest’s Alphonso Smith has visited with the Falcons.

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

FIRST-ROUND PROSPECT

Darius Butler, UConn

Height, weight: 5-foot-10 1/4, 183 pounds.

Skinny: Played about 10 to 15 snaps a game at wide receiver. Covered former Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson in a 2005 game. “I got thrown at and out-jumped him on a fade (route), believe it or not,” Butler said. “Haven’t seen too many (fades) since then.” Has blazing speed. Has run as low as 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and has a 43-inch vertical jump. Would have to get more physical to play in Falcons’ scheme.

MIDDLE-ROUND PROSPECT

Asher Allen, Georgia

Height, weight: 5-9 1/2, 194 pounds.

Skinny: Has the bench press record (415 pounds) at Georgia for cornerbacks. “I’m a complete cornerback, somebody who can come up for the run and play like a safety,” said Allen, a Tucker High grad. “I’m somebody who can cover like a corner, and also a great special teams player who will compete on every down.”

LATE ROUND PROSPECT

Glover Quin, New Mexico

Height, weight: 5-10 3/4, 204 pounds

Skinny: Has visited the Falcons and has had private workouts with New England, Jacksonville and Carolina. Some teams like him as a free safety.