If Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff’s five-year pattern holds to form, the Falcons will select a player to fill a specific need in the NFL draft, which is set for Thursday through Saturday.
The Falcons hold the 30th pick in the first round of the draft, but, with 11 picks overall, they are primed to make some trades.
Here’s a projection of the first round of the NFL draft:
1. Kansas City: Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M. "Luke Joeckel is the best left tackle in the draft," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
2. Jacksonville: Eric Fisher, LT, Central Michigan. Fisher is considered the best pass protector in the draft.
3. Oakland: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida. While his stats at Florida were subpar, NFL scouts like his combination of speed and agility for a big man.
4. Philadelphia: Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU. He is very raw. He didn't start playing football until 2010.
5. Detroit: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama. He's expected to start early in his pro career because he has great size, athletic ability and ball skills.
6. Cleveland: Dion Jordan, LB, Oregon. He had 12.5 sacks over his last two seasons.
7. Arizona: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma. He was a high school quarterback and college tight end who outgrew the position. He retained his agility and added some power.
8. Buffalo: Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse. He played for new Bills coach Doug Marrone at Syracuse.
9. New York Jets: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU. Mingo finished with 38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and earned second-team All-SEC honors last season.
10. Tennessee: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah. Lotulelei lifted 225 pounds 38 times, according to NFL.com draft analyst Gil Brandt.
11. San Diego: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama. The Westlake High product could help stabilize the line.
12. Miami: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame. Dolphins look to add another weapon for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
13. New York Jets: Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU. With Darrelle Revis off to Tampa Bay, the Jets land a replacement.
14. Carolina: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri. He ran a blazing 4.81 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Missouri's Pro Day.
15. New Orleans: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama. He was a major force on the line that helped Alabama earn back-to-back BCS national championships.
16. St. Louis: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas. He's considered the top safety in the draft.
17. Pittsburgh: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia. With James Harrison off to Cincinnati, Jones appears to be a perfect fit for the Steelers.
18. Dallas: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia. The Cowboys need some to fit Monte Kiffin's Tampa Cover-2 scheme.
19. New York Giants: Tank Carradine, DE, FSU. He ran an impressive 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash Saturday in Cincinnati, only 135 days after ACL surgery.
20. Chicago: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame. The Bears have said farewell to Brian Urlacher and need a replacement.
21. Cincinnati: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee. The Bengals need someone to play opposite of A.J. Green
22. St. Louis: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia. The Rams add one of the most dangerous players in the draft.
23. Minnesota: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee. Hunter has shot up draft boards and into the first round.
24. Indianapolis: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA. Without Dwight Freeney the Colts need a second pass rusher to go along with Robert Mathis.
25. Minnesota: Matt Elam, SS, Florida. The Vikings look for some help for their secondary.
26. Green Bay: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina. The Packers look to solidify their defensive front.
27. Houston: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson. He had a spectacular season in 2012. He had a single-season school-record 1,405 yards receiving and set an ACC record with 18 touchdown catches.
28. Denver: Bjoern Werner, DE, FSU. The Germany native was introduced to the game when he was an exchange student in Connecticut.
29. New England: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston. The Patriots need some help at cornerback and could consider Boise State's Jamar Taylor here.
30. Falcons: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington. If there is a run on cornerbacks, the Falcons may race up the board to get him. It could be "cornerback or bust" for the Falcons after they let three of their top five corners leave after the season. Also, the Falcons have heavily scouted Boise State's Jamar Taylor.
31. San Francisco: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford. The 49ers lost Delanie Walker, their No. 2 tight end last season, who signed with Tennessee in free agency.
32. Baltimore: Kevin Minter, LB, LSU. The Ravens have to fortify their defense in the draft after the retirement of Ray Lewis and the loss of Dannell Ellerbe in free agency. Minter played at Peachtree Ridge High.
