FLOWERY BRANCH – All of those mock drafts before the combine are mere guess work.
They are basically folks in a basement throwing darts at as big 32 slotted board.
But after the combine, the mocks are more relevant. Most of the teams executives talked at the combine on and off the record.
They’ve have given the media some guidance. The mocks will be even more relevant after free agency starts and teams start addressing their needs.
Our longtime pal Peter King over at the TheMMQB.com offered a half-mock of the first 15 picks and he has the Falcons taking Kentucky defensive end Bud Dupree from Wilkinson County.
- ATLANTA Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
I have no idea which pass-rusher it will be right here. But I will just say this: If the Falcons don't take a rush end or an outside 'backer with insane pass-rush potential in the first round, then my name's Joe Don Looney.
Back in the old days – when I was skinny and fast – King had just left the Cincinnati Enquirer to cover the Giants in New York for Newsday. He wanted to keep his baseball team in the fantasy league. I helped him run the team for a few years, drafting, recommending moves and trades, etc. (We picked up Mike Bielicki off the scrap him the year he won 18 games!)
King is correct. The Falcons will take an edge rusher. He doesn’t have to worry about being Joe Don Looney.
However, I think eight is a little high for Dupree. But since I haven’t taken the time to do a mock yet, I’m not going to throw rocks at his.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Under his scenario, the Falcons would pass on Clemson's Vic Beasley, Nebraska's Randy Gregory and Missouri's Shane Ray for Dupree, who had a stellar combine.
Dupree had a broad jump of 11-foot, 6 inches, which was top amongst the linebackers. He also had the second-highest vertical jump with a 42-inch leap. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds, which was the fourth fastest time of the linebackers.
He has that versatility that coach Dan Quinn covets.
“I think they’ve got me at linebacker because they’ve seen me do the three-point stance,” Dupree said. “I’ve got a lot of film in the three-point stance and standing up. I think any team can see that I can play both positions.”
Dupree believes that he can also drop in coverage adroitly.
“I’m very comfortable,” Dupree said. “I got more comfortable this year by doing it a lot at practice, covering the slot.”
Dupree played in 47 games for the Wildcats. He had 146 solo tackles, 247 total tackles, 23.5 sacks and 37 tackles for losses (209 yards).
Coming out of high school, he was first-team all-state as a senior as chosen by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
FALCONS STORIES
Falcons to focus on adding another cornerstone
Quinn-Dimitroff partnership off to a strong start
Q&A with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Falcons coach Dan Quinn fired up to watch pass-rushers
Q&A with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on moving forward
Falcons to keep character filter on draft picks
Falcons close to re-signing kicker Matt Bryant
Falcons LT Jake Matthews recovering from offseason surgery
Falcons plan to extend WR Julio Jones contract
Falcons could target Denver TE Julius Thomas in free agency
Falcons' roster gutting could have big names (i.e. Steven Jackson)
Cutting the Falcons roster -- Should they stay or should they go?
COMBINE STORIES
Todd Gurley speaks about autograph-signing caper
Bucs appear set to cast future with Jameis Winston
Todd Gurley intriguing prospect to NFL teams
Chris Conley puts on a dazzling show at the combine
Waller, Smelter out to prove NFL standing at the combine
VIDEO DEPARTMENT
Watch: D. Led -- Falcons news at the combine
Watch: NFL Network's Mike Mayock at the combine
Watch: Todd Gurley has interviews set up with 24 NFL teams
Watch: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff at the combine
Watch: Falcons coach Dan Quinn at the combine
Watch: Rams GM Les Snead on the pass-rush talent at the combine
FALCONS COMBINE MEETINGS
Oregon DE Arik Armstead talked scheme with the Falcons
Falcons met with Alabama quarterback Blake Sims
Falcons to meet with Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Falcons met with Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Falcons met with Alabama safety Landon Collins
PHOTO GALLERIES
Photographs from the 2015 NFL scouting combine
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