FLOWERY BRANCH – Chatted with NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock today on his conference call.
“I think (the draft is) particularly deep at running back,” Mayock said. “Although it might not be quite as (deep) at wide receiver as a year ago, it’s still going to be a very good wide receiver class. Correspondingly, it’s going to be very thin at quarterback and safety. I think the rest of the positions are solid. Overall, it’s a good class.”
The last time the Falcons were picking 8th in the draft, they whiffed on the pass rusher -- Jamaal Anderson, 2007.
Also, our pal Reid Ferrin from over at AtlantaFalcons.com asked Mayock about what he perceived to the Falcons’ primary area of needs.
“We all know that first and foremost they have an edge need (SEE STORY ABOVE),” Mayock said. “I don’t think Levine Toilolo is the answer at tight end. They’ve got a tight end need. At center, I think they’ve got to upgrade that position. I don’t think there’s any doubt there.”
Doesn’t sound like he’s a big fan of Joe Hawely, Peter Konz or James Stone.
The Falcons also have a need at running back.
“Steven Jackson is 32,” Mayock said. “(Antone) Smith and (Jacquizz) Rodgers are both free agents. (Devonta) Freeman is kind of a situational guy. So, a bigger back makes sense. I think we are deep enough in this draft to get one in the third- or fourth-round.”
Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley are both first-round picks. He believes that Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon and South Carolina’s Mike Davis (Stephenson High) will be available in the third-round or later.
“It’s a tough tight end class,” Mayock said.
He only has Minnesota’s Maxx Williams as the only tight end with a first-round grade.
“He’s a really good receiving tight end,” Mayock said. “I liked him a lot (on film) as an athlete.”
Here's Mayock's ratings of the top five players heading into the combine.
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