Falcons looking to Pioli for draft magic

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

Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli, the man overseeing the scouting department and reporting to general manager Thomas Dimitroff, has been a man of mystery and intrigue leading to the NFL draft.

Several media requests to interview the former Kansas City general manager were denied by the team.

However, the fact that Pioli, who worked with Dimitroff in New England, is playing a much bigger role in the franchise is unquestioned.

“(Coach) Dan (Quinn) and I have been working very hard the last three months together along with our respective staffs, Scott Pioli, Lionel Vital and the coordinators,” Dimitroff said.

Pioli will have vetted the Falcons’ first pick of the NFL draft, which begins Thursday. The team currently holds the eighth pick.

But who is the man who holds the key to the franchise’s future?

The Falcons, who have gone 10-22 over the past two years, hope that Pioli can lead a turnaround in the personnel department.

If Pioli and the Falcons can’t improve the 32nd-ranked defense and better protect quarterback Matt Ryan, who at 29 is about to enter the prime of his career, the franchise risks wasting the career of a superior talent at the game’s most vital position.

Before joining the Patriots in 2000, Pioli, 49, worked with the Browns (1992-95), Ravens (1996) and New York Jets (1997-2000).

With the Patriots from 2000-08, Pioli helped construct three Super Bowl-winning teams. He was the general manager of the Chiefs from 2009-12.

After he was fired by Kansas City, Pioli, 49, joined the Falcons on Jan. 22, 2014. Last season, he basically served as a consultant and helped on certain projects.

Now, the Falcons will lean heavily on Pioli, who helped draft stalwarts such as Richard Seymour (seven Pro Bowls), Vince Wilfork (five), Longan Mankins (six), Justin Houston (three) and Dontari Poe (two) with New England and Kansas City.

Exactly how Pioli’s role has developed since he was named to the new position in January is unclear.

“If we haven’t been traveling all over the country looking at players, we’ve been in offices looking at unbelievable amount of video together, talking about scheme together,” said Dimitroff of him and Quinn. “It’s been a great learning experience to grow together in this whole process.”

Pioli was not seen on the road at Pro Days at Georgia, Alabama, Georgia Tech or South Carolina.

The Falcons likely will draft a defensive edge rusher with their first-round pick. They covet Florida’s Dante Fowler Jr., who was recruited to Florida by Quinn when he was the Gators’ defensive coordinator.

However, the Falcons likely would have to trade up as high as to Jacksonville’s third slot or to Oakland’s fourth spot to land Fowler.

Clemson’s Vic Beasley also intrigues the Falcons. He’s the school’s all-time leading sack leader, but must be shielded on rushing downs.

Missouri’s Shane Ray, who was arrested for marijuana possession Monday, is still on the team’s draft board, according to Quinn.

Also, Kentucky’s Bud Dupree is a defensive end/linebacker, who fits the Falcons’ 4-3 defensive scheme.

With the team’s two-day voluntary minicamp completed, the team can focus solely on the draft. The information gleaned from the minicamp, which was attended by nearly all of veterans and 11 tryout players, will help for the draft.

“I wanted to get another chance to evaluate,” Quinn said. “There’s nothing like a live evaluation with players and teams compared with on tape.”

The Falcons are banking on the triumvirate of Pioli, Dimitroff and Quinn to turnaround their fortunes.