Falcons have 11 draft picks, could use more
Mini-camp exposes lack of experience, depth

By STEVE WYCHE
Published on: 04/18/08

The Falcons enter next weekend's NFL draft with 11 picks — enough to complete a starting unit on offense or defense. They might need more.

A three-day minicamp this week revealed a young, relatively untested roster. There is a lack of depth at several positions and the need for immediate help at others.

Whom the Falcons will select with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft is the biggest question. Yet the players acquired with the second- and mid-round picks could prove most crucial. The Falcons need as many as two starters and other rotational players to step in right away.

"We never have projected the number of starters, but what we have done is we've stepped back and tried to realize how many will be true contributors right off the bat," general manager Thomas Dimitroff recently said at the NFL's annual meeting. "You can come out of this draft with a solid group of contributors."

Should the Falcons retain the No. 3 pick, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long and LSU nose tackle Glenn Dorsey are on the short list. Each fills a position of need. Ryan likely would sit for most of the season, learning and waiting for a solid offensive line to be formed.

Long could address the most glaring need along a jumbled offensive line. Pat McCoy, a 2006 undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M who signed with the Falcons in December, worked as the starting left tackle in minicamp. Quinn Ojinnaka, who started at left tackle last season after injuries ended the season for Wayne Gandy (released this winter) and Renardo Foster, practiced at left guard.

The Falcons will try to fortify the left side of the offensive line, possibly with at least one potential starter at tackle.

Justin Blalock's temporary or permanent move to right tackle from left guard signals concerns about Todd Weiner's return from knee surgery.

Ben Hartsock and Martrez Milner reside atop the four-man tight end depth chart. At least one more tight end will be added, according to offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

At wide receiver, Laurent Robinson may join Roddy White in the starting lineup, leaving veterans Joe Horn and Michael Jenkins vying for the No. 3 spot. There is the chance that one of them won't be on the roster when training camp starts in August.

There is hope that Brian Finneran can return from two major knee operations. If not, he, too, could be gone, meaning that at least one wide receiver could be drafted.

On defense, the Falcons have some depth along the four-man front, but the need for defensive tackles remains a priority. Jamaal Anderson, John Abraham and Chauncey Davis remain the defensive end rotation.

Stephen Nicholas will replace Demorrio Williams at weakside linebacker, but that is a position in need of depth. Keith Brooking returns at middle linebacker, but his heir could be taken in the draft. Depth also is needed behind strongside linebacker Michael Boley.

The most intriguing unit is the secondary.

Finding the replacement for left cornerback DeAngelo Hall likely could come through the draft, where solid cornerbacks are available. Free-agent acquisition Von Hutchins worked as the starting left corner in minicamp, but coach Mike Smith said Hutchins ideally would be the slot corner/nickel back.

Troy's Leodis McKelvin is the No. 1 cornerback prospect and is a projected top-11 pick, a prediction heightened by his status as a standout returner. That is another position the Falcons have an interest in addressing in the draft. Penn State cornerback Justin King also doubles as a punt returner and has drawn the Falcons' interest.

Adding depth at both safety spots has been talked about since Smith and Dimitroff arrived. Starting strong safety Lawyer Milloy is in the last year of his contract, and the Falcons recently had highly regarded Arkansas State strong safety Tyrell Johnson in for a visit.

"With 11 picks, we could be real creative with all positions and even double up at some positions," Dimitroff said.