[protected-iframe id="9d6a581d1b5ef63a42878e9b69be0b15-58441833-57875119" info="http://cinesport.ajc.com/inline/3520023690001/#nolink;" width="600" height="364" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"] Each morning, from now until the draft starts on May 8, we'll do a short profile of a player who's on the Falcons' Draft Board. We'll focus on team-needs, possible selections, players the Falcons have worked out and/or interviewed, etc. The Falcons own 10 picks in this draft. Today we'll look at UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, who recently visited the Falcons at their Flowery Branch offices.
Player: Anthony Barr
Position: Linebacker
School: UCLA
Height and weight: 6-5, 255 pounds
Combine Numbers: Barr ran the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds (sixth of the linebackers), had a vertical of 34.5 (14th), had the broad jump of 9 feet, 11 inches (12th), lifted 225 pounds, 15 times, ran the three-cone drill in 6.82 seconds (third) and the 20-yard shuttle time of 4.19 seconds.
Projected Round: He's the second rated outside linebacker in the draft and is projected to be selected in the first-round by NFLDraftScout.com.
Career Highlights: Barr started his college career as a running back before old Falcons coach Jim Mora switched him to the defensive side of the ball. Barr's career at UCLA took off. He had 13.5 sacks as a junior and returned for his senior season and had 10 sacks. He is the son of former Notre Dame running back Tony Brooks, who was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth-round of the 1992 draft.
Quotes: "The transition (from running back to linebacker) was pretty smooth, honestly. It was difficult at first. I think moving backwards, going back in coverage, was something that was new to me. But now, I feel comfortable with that. …It's still sort of new to me in a sense. It's exciting. If I continue to work, the sky's the limit."
Falcons level on interest: Moderate. Barr's ability to rush the passer in intriguing to the Falcons, who've struggled in the sack department. They must determine if he's an "elite" pass rusher. His ability to play in coverage must also be closely assessed. One longtime NFL scout told us that his stock was dropping when his name was mentioned at UGA Pro Day on Wednesday. He could slide to late in the first round and may even be available when the Falcons pick at 37.
http://youtu.be/PxPf3bj_VbE
Here are the Falcons draft picks:
- Round 1 — No. 6 overall
- Round 2 – No. 37 overall
- Round 3 – No. 68 overall
- Round 4 – No. 103 overall
- Round 4 – No. 139 overall (compensatory)
- Round 5 – No. 147 overall
- Round 6 – No. 182 overall
- Round 7 – No. 220 overall
- Round 7 – No. 253 overall (compensatory)
- Round 7 – No. 255 overall (compensatory)
FALCONS' DRAFT BOARD
--A look at Louisville LB Preston Brown
--A look at Iowa TE C.J. Fiedorowicz
--A look at West Virginia RB Charles Sims
--A look at Auburn DE Dee Ford
--A look at Brigham Young OLB Kyle Van Noy
--A look at Arizona State OLB/DE Carl Bradford
--A look at Missouri DE Kony Ealy
--A look at Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro
--A look at Alabama S Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix
--A look at Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman
--A look at Boston College QB Chase Rettig
--A look at Oregon RB De'Anthony Thomas
--A look at Central Florida RB Storm Johnson
--A look at USC TE Xavier Grimble
--A look at Ohio State OT Jack Mewhort
--A look at Louisville S Calvin Prior
--A look at Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier
--BLOG: A list of the confirmed players at LOCALS DAY on Tuesday
--BLOG: FSU linebacker Telvin Smith visited the Falcons on Monday
--Falcons check out Towson State RB Terrance West, CB Jordan Love (UGA transfer)
--MyAJC ($): Eye-test vs. Tape-measure test: Falcons must trust their eyes during draft prep.
FALCONS REWIND
--Blog: Falcons are not switching to a 3-4 defense front, they've been using it for past 2 seasons
--Blog: New jersey numbers picked; Devin Hester to wear No. 17
--Blog: Falcons awarded three compensatory picks
--Blog: Lamar Holmes was a performance-pay leader in 2014
--Blog: Umenyiora will return in 2014, no restructured deal
--Blog: Falcons release FB Bradie Ewing
--Blog: Falcons WR Roddy White owes Mercer fan some prime tickets
--Blog: Falcons owner Arthur Blank engaged to be married.
--Blog: Former Falcons WR Kevin Cone to work out for Carolina
--Blog: Falcons re-sign defensive tackle Peria Jerry
--Blog: NFL to move forward on cleaning up 'on-field' language
--MyAJC ($): Falcons spend $80 million in free agency to buy toughness
--Las Vegas doesn't like Falcons' free agency moves
--Falcons Free Agency Tracker -- Falcons have committed $107.36 million to salaries
--Q&A with PR/KR/WR Devin Hester
--Q&A with Falcons right guard Jon Asamoah
--Q&A with Falcons defensive end Tyson Jackson
--Q&A with Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai
2014 NFL DRAFT CENTRAL
--Mock Draft 1.0: Falcons trade out of sixth spot to land Pryor and Ebron
--12 teams who could draft UGA star Aaron Murray
--Louisville LB Preston Brown to work out for the Falcons
--Louisville DE Marcus Smith to work out for the Falcons
--MyAJC ($): OT Greg Robinson, DE Dee Ford shine at Auburn's Pro Day
--VIDEO: Tackle Greg Robinson on Auburn's Pro Day
--VIDEO: Running back Tra Mason on Auburn's Pro Day
--Blog & VIDEO: Clemson QB Tajh Boyd has stellar Pro Day showing
--VIDEO: Clemson WR Sammy Watkins on his Pro Day
