BGN 2010 Mock Draft Pick #19 - The Atlanta Falcons

by Bob_Q on Apr 10, 2010 10:50 AM EDT in Events

With the nineteenth pick in the 2010 BGN Draft, TheSportsWatcher selects...

Brandon Graham - DE, Michigan

As we enter the 2010 NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons are a very interesting team. Their 9 wins last year had the Falcons competing for the playoffs until the last couple of weeks of the season, and with the right draft pick this April, they could find themselves breaking through in 2009.

After a stellar season in 2008, the team took a step back in 2009 with relatively poorer performances on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, the troubles weren’t as grave. Yes, the Falcons finished 16^th in 2009 as opposed to 6^th in 2008, but the team’s scoring dropped fewer than two points per game. Those two points alone can be attributed to the drop in production by Michael Turner, who didn’t have his legs last season.

As for the performance of quarterback Matt Ryan, a lot of people think he took a step back, but after such a great, unblemished rookie season, 2009 was a time for Ryan to take a step back in order to move two steps forward. During Ryan’s rookie year, the Falcons rarely admit this, but they held back on Ryan—at least early on. Ryan had just 434 pass attempts (27 attempts/game) as he enjoyed watching Turner run all over the field. But in 2009, when they had to lean on Ryan and the passing game, it was only natural that the sophomore quarterback threw a few more picks. However, he added quite a few touchdowns (22 TDs in only14 games), and so as long he’s putting up more points and learning from his mistakes, the Falcons (with a healthy Turner) should be fine on offense.

More after the jump...

This brings us to the defense and the Atlanta Falcons draft pick.

The Falcons defense improved its ranking in 2009, finishing 21^st vs. 24^th in 2008, while giving up the same number of points per game (20.3). However, there’s no doubt that the Falcons had trouble defending the pass, and it wasn’t a problem that manifested itself this year. In 2009 the Falcons were 28^th against the pass, but in 2008, they weren’t much better finishing 21^st against pass. Most importantly, the Falcons were the worst team in the league at defending the pass on 3^rd down, allowing teams to convert 45% of their 3^rd down passes for first downs.

You could look at the secondary to fix this pass defense problem, but given Atlanta’s issues on 3^rd down specifically, and the fact that Joe Hayden (Florida) is off the board, the Falcons have to go with a pass rusher in the first round.

Thus, I have the Atlanta Falcons selecting Brandon Graham (DE, Michigan) with the 19^th pick in NFL Draft.

Graham is a very explosive defensive end with the ability to completely disrupt the edge of an offense all game long. He recorded 20 sacks over the last two years with a Michigan secondary that didn’t give him much help. He will be an instant difference-maker on this Falcons front line, and it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t be the starter since the Falcons are moving Jamaal Anderson to defensive tackle this season. Sure, at 6-1, Graham is short, but at 270 pounds, he’s as strong as the other ends drafted ahead of him, and he’s a much more versatile player because of his ability to drop back in the passing game. There is a good chance that with his quickness, and the leverage he displayed playing in the Big Ten, Graham could be the next incarnation of Dwight Freeney.

The Falcons may be tempted to go with cornerback Kareem Jackson, who has inexplicably fallen in this draft and whose stock has shot up recently.

Also, USC’s Everson Griffen (DE) would give Atlanta a bit more size at the DE position (which is something they have to consider with John Abraham playing slightly undersized at the other end slot).

But when it’s all said and done, Atlanta has to go with the guy who is going to help them improve upon their 28-sack total (26^th Ranked) from 2009, and with Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech) and Jason Pierre-Paul (USF) already off the board, there’s no question that Brandon Graham should be the guy the Falcons take in first round.

Next on the clock will be BadCo'09 with the Houston Texans.

Previous picks: #1 Ndamukong Suh, #2 Russell Okung, #3 Gerald McCoy, #4 Sam Bradford, #5 Eric Berry, #6 Trent Williams, #7 Jimmy Clausen, #8 Bruce Campbell, #9 Bryan Bulaga, #10 Derrick Morgan, #11 Rolando McClain, #12 Sergio Kindle, #13 Joe Haden, #14 C.J. Spiller, #15 Mike Iupati, #16 Jason Pierre-Paul, #17 Anthony Davis, #18 Kyle Wilson

Poll

Do you agree with this pick?

Yes

156 votes

No

75 votes

231 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I agree with it but I read recently that Atlanta is really hot after Weatherspoon from Missouri. Which could be good and bad for us in this case because that might mean another team might take Daryl Washington earlier than the 37th pick but we would still have a chance at Graham for the 24th although I think we will trade up in the 1st round.

by The Legend on Apr 10, 2010 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

We won't take a DE at 24th.

Secondary, Interior Linemen, maybe OLB, maybe.

by Midnight Green Bean on Apr 10, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

If it is the highest rated guy on the board we will

With the acquisition of Tapp it may not be as big of a need but we still need depth and if Graham, Pierre-Paul, or Morgan(which I doubt would fall there) fall to 24 if we stay there then Big Red will take them.

by The Legend on Apr 10, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

actually

the majority of Falcon fans are split between Graham and Weatherspoon, although Weatherspoon got most of our attention.
there are also those (like myself) who think we should be drafting an O-lineman in the first round. since the FO always knows something we don’t, and they use deception strategy a lot, I won’t be surprised if they trade down and draft an O-lineman instead of a pass-rusher.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Apr 11, 2010 6:23 AM EDT up reply actions

as a Falcons fan

I wholeheartedly endorse this pick. This guy fits the bill that the FO looks for (prodigious college career, multiple year starter, dominated at the senior bowl against some of the best tackles). As for Weatherspoon, just remember that fans think differently from the Falcons FO. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is a smokescreen to trade down and grab someone like Jerry Hughes a few spots later, since both the Cards and the Saints have serious man-crushes on ’Spoon.

by TheAreopagite on Apr 10, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Graham is a beast

As bad as Michigan was last year, we would have won all of 2 games last year if it wasn’t for Graham. In addition to being a one-man terror on the defensive line (think Trent Cole but with less help from the rest of the d-line), he blocked two punts last year.

And I watched every minute this guy played last year.

GO CUSE, BLUE, AND EAGLES!

by tanman5 on Apr 10, 2010 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

I think they'll take Spoony

"I don't have to worry about the Washington Redskins, I have to worry about the Philadelphia Eagles."- Andy Reid

by MeanGreen5 on Apr 10, 2010 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

I sadly

have to agree with this pick. Between the failed Jamaal Anderson pick and the fact that Atlanta needs to seriously boost their pass rush, there is no better pick for them. Brandon Graham is an amazing all around player. This guy not only already has skills, but has the work ethic to get even better and the ability to increase his already stellar skill level. I have said a bunch of times, I think Brandon Graham will end up being one of the best DE’s ever to play this game. I know it is a huge leap of a statement since we haven’t seen him play one NFL snap, but barring injury this guy in 15 years will be on the NFL Networks top 10 DE of all time program, bank on it. I really wish we could somehow get him, even with the acquisition of Tapp, but alas it will most likely not be. This is the perfect pick for Atlanta, good job Sportswatcher.

"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins

"All I have in this world is my balls and my word and I don't break them for no one." Scarface

Team McNabb

by Talon Talent on Apr 11, 2010 3:40 AM EDT reply actions