Team Needs: Atlanta Falcons
Gridiron Experts is randomly picking NFL teams to evaluate their off-season acquisitions. We are predicting their game plan heading into the NFL Draft, using last year’s stats as a guide for improvement.

The Atlanta Falcons had an amazing turnaround season in 2008, and now look to add pieces to prove they were not a one year wonder. Offensively the Falcons were very strong, with rookie Matt Ryan playing like a seasoned pro, and Michael Turner destroying defenses after breaking away from the shadow of LaDainian Tomlinson. Many mock drafts have the Falcons selecting an offensive player such as a Tight End or Wide Receiver in the first round, which in our opinion is not a glaring need.

Atlanta has been juggling their defensive core in the free agency, losing several starters: DT Grady Jackson, LB Keith Brooking, and LB Michael Boley. The only replacement at linebacker so far is Mike Peterson from Jacksonville who started 10 games last year. Fans aren’t too happy about having key starters picked off in free agency, but if there was a way to attack the Falcons last year, it was by running the ball against them. The Falcons allowed an average of 127 yards per game on the ground and gave up 17 rushing TD’s.

Gridiron Experts thinks the Atlanta Falcons will make their defensive line a priority, going after the best defensive tackle or linebacker on the board at 24. Stopping the run is a must, now especially after losing some key starters from last season. There is still time to attempt to lure away a restricted player like LB Brandon Johnson or DT Gabe Watson, although drafting a player like Brian Cushing from USC or Clint Sintim from Virginia could solve the Falcons needs at linebacker. Brian Cushing’s durability is a concern, but he has huge upside, and someone will take a shot by picking him in the early 20′s. If Cushing is gone, Clint Sintim would be a great fit for the Falcons. Sintim at 6’2″ and 250 lbs is more of a pass rusher, but he is a great tackler with long arms and excellent size. The Falcons are a smart organization and will address their needs at defensive line and linebacker throughout the draft. Look for the Falcons to use one of their later picks on a Tight End if they don’t sign one in free agency. If Jared Cook is available in the 2nd round, the Falcons should jump at the chance to add this extremely athletic player with great hands. Cook had an excellent combine and will probably not fall that far, but he is worth moving up for.