Now’s the time for the Falcons to pay up on the Julio Jones deal.
The franchise mortgaged part of the 2012 draft class (their first- and fourth-round picks) in the mega-deal with Cleveland to move up 21 spots last year.
They can order pizza and beverages, sit back and watch the first round on television April 26 before they select on the second day with the 55th overall pick.
“They went all-in on Julio last year to get more explosive from a skill-position perspective,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said.
The positions that the Falcons address in free agency, which starts March 13, will affect their draft board. For instance, if they sign one or two offensive linemen in free agency, they can address other positions in the draft.
If they lose a free agent or two — linebacker Curtis Lofton, cornerback Brent Grimes and/or defensive end John Abraham — they could turn to the draft to fill one of those spots in the second round.
If they get their linemen and retain Lofton, Grimes and Abraham, that would open the door from them to look at a tight end. Georgia’s Orson Charles, Stanford’s Coby Fleener and Clemson’s Dwayne Allen are the top three tight ends in the draft. Louisiana-Lafayette’s Ladarius Green also is an intriguing prospect.
“If you are looking for an Orson Charles, I think he’s a second-round pick that goes somewhere between 33 and 45,” Mayock said.
“Orson Charles will be gone by [55]. Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen are the next two. Both of them are logical [for the Falcons]. The problem with all three of them is that none of them are in-line blockers.”
ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has Fleener rated higher than Charles and believes he’s a late first-round pick.
“He’s one of the more underrated players in this draft,” McShay said.
Among other players who could be around at the 55th spot are Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry, Iowa State cornerback Leonard Johnson, Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward, Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler and West Virginia defensive end Bruce Irvin.
Gil Brandt, a senior writer for NFL.com and a former personnel man for the Dallas Cowboys, has Curry ranked as the 51st player in the draft, Johnson (53rd), Hayward (54th), Zeitler (55th) and Irvin (57th).
“When you get to the defensive backs and the combine, for them it is all about speed and quickness,” Mayock said. “Leonard Johnson from Iowa State, I think he plays better than he will time [in drills]. If he times poorly, he could be a fourth-round pick instead of a second-round pick. Trumaine Johnson from Montana is a long, physical corner.”
Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons have drafted two players from Montana in defensive end Kroy Biermann and safety Shann Schillinger.
How the first 15 picks are shaping up
1. Indianapolis: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. “I don’t put him up there as a once-in-a-lifetime guy,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “I’ve never said that about him. I think he’s in the same category with a [St. Louis quarterback Sam] Bradford. ... I’m not sitting here telling you that I think he’s going to be Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.”
2. *Washington: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. “He is a true passer first,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. “He’s smart and picks things up quickly. He’s every bit worth the pick.”
3. Minnesota: Matt Kalil, OT, USC. “Kalil is a wonderfully gifted left tackle,” Mayock said. “He’s got great feet, long arms, and he fits the bill for the athleticism that you look for in an All-Pro left tackle.”
4. Cleveland: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. “You have to look at him a little bit like you did Larry Fitzgerald a few years ago,” Mayock said. “I don’t think he’s going to run a great 40 [yard dash.] He’s going to run a 4.5 or a 4.52. You have to say that’s OK because he has body control, hands and his ability to catch the ball is exceptional.”
5. Tampa Bay: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. “This season, he has clearly established himself as the top draft-eligible cornerback in the country,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
6. St. Louis Rams: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa. Has been compared to Bryan Bulaga, who started as a rookie for Green Bay after being taken 23rd overall in the 2010 draft.
7. Jacksonville: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. “Teams have some concerns,” McShay said. “His interview process is going to be important.”
8. Carolina: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. “He did not play well or hard as a senior,” Mayock said.
9. Miami: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina. He’s a high-motor player.
10. Buffalo: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford. Helped to protect Luck for the Cardinal.
11. Kansas City: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. Tough and a hard-nosed runner who helped carry the Crimson Tide to the national title.
12. Seattle: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama. “He’s got to interview well and explain himself and show teams that some of those [off-field] problems are behind him,” McShay said. “He’s got to run well. You can’t be small and run slow.”
13. Arizona: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State. He had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and has rocketed up draft boards.
14. Dallas: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama. “He could drop a little bit,” McShay said. “There are some durability concerns.”
15. Philadelphia: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College. “He’s the best inside linebacker in this draft by far,” Mayock said.
* Projected trade with St. Louis.
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