INDIANAPOLIS — The coming NFL draft is loaded with offensive linemen, good news for NFL teams always trying to bulk up the trenches.
Maybe the draft opens with the Jaguars taking a tackle such as Alabama’s Evan Neal or North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu at No. 1. Both players are expected off the board by the time the Falcons pick at No. 8. Charles Cross (Mississippi State), Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa) and Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan) are among the other tackles who could go in the first round.
Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), Kenyon Green (Texas A&M) and Zion Johnson (Boston College) are among the interior linemen vying for first-round spots. There’s a deep group of developmental linemen in this group, which includes Georgia products Jamaree Salyer and Justin Shaffer, and Boston College’s Alec Lindstrom, the younger brother of Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom.
More receivers coming:
These are the glory days for receiver talent in the NFL. They’re not only coming in bunches, but they’re making immediate impact. That goes beyond the superstars such as Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. It’s never been easier to acquire receiving talent, even in the mid-rounds.
The Falcons could take a receiver in the first – they’ve met with some of the draft’s bigger names – but the likelier outcome might be the team spending a second- or third-day selection there.
Enter names such as Nevada receiver Romeo Doubs. Doubs is a physical receiver who says he models his game after former Georgia receiver A.J. Green. He had 1,109 yards with 11 touchdowns on 80 catches last season, working well with cannon-armed quarterback prospect Carson Strong.
The Falcons could spend their higher picks on other needs while landing a quality receiver later. Doubs (6-foot-1, 204 pounds) would fall into that category. He hadn’t yet spoken with the Falcons but told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he “loves” coach Arthur Smith’s “fun” offense.
Dameon Pierce wins the press conference
Florida running back Dameon Pierce showed a vibrant personality while speaking with reporters Thursday. Pierce was smiling, engaging and laughing throughout his interview, expressing confidence that he’ll make a quick impact in the NFL.
Pierce, who led Gators running backs with 574 yards last season, is from Bainbridge, a town that helped shape him.
“Just having that small-town mentality,” Pierce said. “It really made me appreciate my moment even more, especially being here. Not too many guys have been in my shoes. I just want to make sure I do everything right for anybody trying to follow my lead.”
The powerful Pierce was considered a winner at the Senior Bowl. He drew attention on social media after a dominant pass-protection rep to close a practice, but the tweets impress him.
“This is social media, anything goes viral,” Pierce said. “A cat sitting on a doughnut in a pool goes viral.”
Breece Hall’s odd question
An annual talking point at the combine is teams asking random and strange questions to prospects. Iowa State running back Breece Hall said his oddest inquiry came from Falcons coach Arthur Smith.
“They asked me a question along the lines of, ‘If one family member could describe you, what would they say?’” Hall said. “And I said, ‘different.’ And they were like, ‘What if you hate your family?’ And I said, ‘Your family doesn’t always have to be your blood, so whoever I consider family, that’s who I’m going to ask.”
Hall later said he felt he was the best running back in the draft. While there’s a plethora of backs in this class, there isn’t expected to be one selected in the first round (Alabama’s Najee Harris and Clemson’s Travis Etienne went in the first 32 picks last year). That could lead to a run on backs in the second and third rounds.
The Falcons need to upgrade their running backs, but with needs at more important positions, they might not be inclined to spend a second-day pick at the position.
Zamir White, James Cook speak with Falcons
The Falcons have spoken with both Georgia running back prospects, Zamir White and James Cook. Neither player is projected to go in the first two rounds, so perhaps the Falcons could land one without the opportunity cost of selecting a back with a higher pick. Both bring different traits to a backfield. White is a power runner, whereas Cook is a receiving back.
Dare Rosenthal has talked with Falcons
Kentucky offensive lineman Dare Rosenthal has had “great” informal interviews with the Falcons, he said. Formerly an LSU defensive tackle, Rosenthal is an intriguing developmental prospect because of his physical traits. He’s 6-foot-7, 327 pounds and a strong player.
“Elite, nasty and instinctual,” Rosenthal said when asked to describe his play.
Rosenthal was suspended and transferred from LSU in 2020 because of cited disciplinary issues. He’ll address that in interviews with teams. Rosenthal projects as a mid- to late-round selection.
Miami passes on Deshaun Watson
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said Wednesday “the door is shut” on acquiring estranged Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson, a Gainesville native and former Clemson star, didn’t play last season amid 22 allegations of sexual misconduct.
Watson requested a trade from Houston before the allegations were reported. Miami was long linked to Watson, reportedly almost trading for him at the deadline last season. Watson’s legal status and no-trade clause cloud any potential deal. Multiple teams have publicly stated they won’t acquire Watson, so his destination list, should he clear his legal hurdles, has dwindled.
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