The Falcons have nine picks in the NFL draft, which runs Thursday through Saturday, including the 27th overall.
A couple of prospects who might be available to them at No. 27 can be eliminated. Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward doesn’t fit the Falcons’ scheme and likely will go to a 3-4 team as a defensive end.
Also, Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn would have trouble in Atlanta’s defense because the Falcons like to rotate their ends. Clayborn has a condition called Erb’s Palsy, which limits him to playing on the right side. The condition in his right arm resulted from his head and neck being pulled to the side as his shoulders passed through the birth canal.
Here are five players who are on the Falcons’ radar screen for the first-round pick:
Brandon Harris, CB, Miami, 5-10, 191: He started all 13 games for the Hurricanes last season and led the team with 10 pass breakups. The Falcons have heavily scouted Harris and spent some time with him in Miami on March 30.
Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA, 6-2 1/2, 253: He was a first-team All-Pac-10 pick last season. He recorded 68 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions. He had 14 sacks and 29.5 tackles for losses in his collegiate career.
Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona, 6-2, 262: He started 34 games for the Wildcats. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds and lifted 225 pounds 30 times at the NFL scouting combine.
Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland, 6-1, 205: He might be a slight reach at 27, but the Falcons are looking to add some big-play threats in this draft, and he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds at the combine. He visited the Falcons earlier this month.
Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State, 6-5, 319: After taking over as a sophomore, he became a fixture at left tackle for the Bulldogs. He has good feet and is considered a left tackle prospect, but could start his career on the right side.
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