The Falcons have made no secret that they are looking for offensive and defensive line help this offseason.
That might explain why they sent two scouts — the recently hired Billy Devaney and Anthony Robinson — to see Clemson offensive lineman Brandon Thomas on his Pro Day on Thursday. Thomas, who played for the Falcons coaching staff in the Senior Bowl, didn’t try to improve on his scouting combine numbers, but appeared fluid and powerful in position drills.
“Even though he’s only 6-foot, 3 1/4 (inches tall), he’s got left tackle feet and long arms,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “So, the conversation is he a left tackle or is he a guard? Ultimately, he could probably survive out wide, but he might be a Pro Bowl guard.”
The Falcons struggled at both tackle positions last season and released Garrett Reynolds, who opened the past three seasons as the starting right guard.
Thomas lifted 225 pounds 36 times at the combine, which was the sixth-highest total.
“I think a lot of teams are going to look at him inside,” Mayock said. “He won’t get out of the second round.”
The Falcons may have identified a sleeper pick in Clemson offensive guard Tyler Shatley, who did 40 reps on the bench press. North Carolina’s Russell Boone had the most lifts at the combine, with 42.
Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd was spectacular in his scripted workout. He completed 66 of 67 passes while throwing to wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant and running back Rod McDowell.
Mayock considers Boyd a fifth-round pick and a developmental quarterback.
“He’s got arm talent ,and you’re either born with it or you’re not,” Mayock said. “Tajh Boyd has some arm talent. He’s athletic. The ball came out beautifully today.”
Mayock believes that a team could draft Boyd and develop him over a couple of seasons. He compared Boyd with former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith.
“The things he has to improve on, you’re not really going to see at a Pro Day,” Mayock said. “It’s more of the pocket awareness. When to scramble? When to step up? Those are the things that I think he has to work on, and he can only do that over time.”
After a shaky week at the Senior Bowl and an underwhelming combine showing, Boyd tried to impress scouts with his footwork and a new pro-style passing motion.
“That’s just the nature of the game, every release isn’t going to be over the top,” Boyd said. “If you’ve got a linebacker coming at you, sometimes you have to make those throws. You have to flip it around them.”
Boyd was crisp and delivered the ball from the pocket and on rollouts. His only incomplete pass was one dropped by Bryant.
“They wanted to see my arm location and accuracy,” Boyd said. “Especially on the comeback (routes) and the out routes, some of the things that you have to do before they come out of their break.”
Watkins was as dazzling as expected.
“He’s such a natural hands-catcher,” Mayock said. “It’s just beautiful. He just snatches it.”
Watkins could go as high as No. 2, to St. Louis.
“I’m willing to go to any team and try to (have) that instant impact and try to be that dominate player,” Watkins said.
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