FLOWERY BRANCH – We're skipping Mock 4.0 because we're talking to general Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn today and the Final Mock will be out on Wednesday.
(Check back here and over at MyAJC.com later for stories, blogs and video)
As things stand, the Falcons are going to receive a big break when both of the quarterbacks go first and second.
Florida State's Jameis Winston to Tampa Bay and Oregon's Marcus Mariota is now being predicted to go to Tennessee Titans by their fine beat writer Mr. Jim Wyatt.
The two best defensive linemen – Southern California’s Leonard Williams and Florida’s Dante Fowler Jr. -- will also be off the board.
The Falcons could receive another break if the Todd Gurley to the Jets at No. 6 situation develops.
Clemson's all-time sack leader Vic Beasley and Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper will likely be gone, too.
The Falcons, who must improve their pass rush, would be left with picking between Kentucky’s Alvin “Bud” Dupree of Wilkinson County and Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, a top five talent who failed a marijuana test at the scouting combine. They can't afford to risk taking Missouri's Shane Ray because of his foot may require surgery.
But after you crunch the numbers – and we know the Falcons are heavy into analytics -- Dupree appears to be the bigger, stronger and faster athlete.
Dupree is 34 pounds heavier than Gregory, runs a faster 40-yard dash, has a higher vertical and broad jump and is .1 of a second faster in the all-important 10-yard shuttle.
Several draftniks have questioned if Dupree is worthy of a top 10 pick because of his inconsistent play at Kentucky. However, that same issue didn’t scare the Falcons away from Ra’Shede Hagemen last season.
Hagemen’s numbers were similarly dazzling, but his tape from Minnesota showed that he was inconsistent in games.
If the Falcons put more stock in the analytics over the tape, Dupree’s name is coming off the board with the eighth pick on Thursday.
Compare the numbers below:
BUD DUPREE
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Position: DE/OLB
Height: 6-foot, 4-inches
Weight: 269 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds
Vertical: 42 inches
10-yard split: 1.60 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 2.65 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 7.52 seconds
Broad Jump: 11-feet, 6 inches
RANDY GREGORY
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Position: DE/OLB
Height: 6-foot, 5-inches
Weight: 235 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.64 seconds
10-yard split: 1.61 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 2.71 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 6.80 seconds
Broad Jump: 10-feet, 5-inches
CLICK HERE FOR LATEST VIDEO: D. Led: Dante Fowler Jr. Fits Falcons
FALCONS DRAFT BOARD
5 questions with Nebraska's Randy Gregory
5 questions with Kentucky's Bud Dupree
5 questions with Missouri's Shane Ray
5 questions with Clemson's Vic Beasley
5 questions with Alabama safety Landon Collins
5 questions with Alabama quarterback Blake Sims
5 questions with Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.
5 questions with Oregoan DL Arik Armstead
5 questions with Miami inside linebacker Denzel Perryman
Falcons go to check out several Miami Hurricanes
Some of the attendees to the Falcons locals day
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ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 DRAFT PICKS
First round: 8th overall selection
Second round: 42nd overall selection
Third round: 73rd overall selection
Fourth round: 107th overall selection
Fifth round: 146th overall selection
Sixth round: 185th overall selection
Seventh round: 225th overall selection
Seventh round: 249th overall selection*
*Pick is from New England through St. Louis
POSITION-BY-POSITION FOR 2015 NFL DRAFT
Wednesday: Top 5 Inside Linebackers
Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman ,
Thursday: Top 5 defensive tackles
(Leonard Williams' Rugby skill will become handy in the NFL)
Friday: Top 5 defensive backs
Alabama's Landon Collins is the top safety prospect
Saturday: Top 5 special teamers
Dorsett, Alford could be top returners
Sunday: Top 5 edge rushers (defensive ends/outside linebackers).
Big Chuck Smith breaks down the top pass-rush prospects
Monday: Top 5 Offensive line
Georgia Tech's Shaquille Mason trying to convert to center for NFL
Tuesday: Top 5 Wide receivers
Georgia's Chris Conley now projects as a fourth-rounder
Wednesday, April 22: Top 5 Running backs
Thursday, April 23: Top 5 Quarterbacks
NFL must handle Winston, Mariota with care. Both need seasoning
Friday, April 24: Top 5 Tight ends
South Carolina's Rory "Buster" Anderson hopes to get his NFL shot
ICYMI: Here's a link to last year's Position-by-Position series.
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