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NFL • 1 year ago

2015 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Post-Combine Seven-Round Mock

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Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

2015 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Post-Combine Seven-Round Mock

Dan Quinn Arthur Blank Falcons — Despite playing in a de facto NFC South title game in Week 17, the Atlanta Falcons have the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. New head coach Dan Quinn will look to improve upon last season's 6-10 record, and that all starts with revamping the worst passing defense in the NFL. While Atlanta figures to be active in the free-agent market, here are the players who should be targeted in the draft.

Despite playing in a de facto NFC South title game in Week 17, the Atlanta Falcons have the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. New head coach Dan Quinn will look to improve upon last season's 6-10 record, and that all starts with revamping the worst passing defense in the NFL. While Atlanta figures to be active in the free-agent market, here are the players who should be targeted in the draft.

Round 1: Shane Ray (DE-Missouri)

Shane Ray Missouri

Round 1: Shane Ray (DE-Missouri)

Shane Ray Missouri — The last time Shane Ray was in the Georgia Dome, he was ejected for a high hit on Alabama QB Blake Sims in the SEC title game. The next time he's in the Georgia Dome, it should be for his introductory press conference. With Kroy Biermann and Osi Umenyiora entering free agency, the Falcons are in need of a starting DE. Ray is a great pass-rusher and will immediately improve the defense. He's a Day 1 starter who should thrive in Dan Quinn's system.

The last time Shane Ray was in the Georgia Dome, he was ejected for a high hit on Alabama QB Blake Sims in the SEC title game. The next time he's in the Georgia Dome, it should be for his introductory press conference. With Kroy Biermann and Osi Umenyiora entering free agency, the Falcons are in need of a starting DE. Ray is a great pass-rusher and will immediately improve the defense. He's a Day 1 starter who should thrive in Dan Quinn's system.

Round 2: Benardrick McKinney (ILB-Mississippi State)

Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State

Round 2: Benardrick McKinney (ILB-Mississippi State)

Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State — With Eric Kendricks separating himself as the top ILB prospect, Benardrick McKinney and Denzel Perryman may slide in the draft. McKinney is the better fit in Atlanta, as he has the size and awareness to play a Bruce Irvin type role in Quinn's defense. He lacks elite cover skills, but he's as good against the run as any linebacker in the draft. He'll be a solid player wherever he lands, but McKinney could thrive in a system like Atlanta's.

With Eric Kendricks separating himself as the top ILB prospect, Benardrick McKinney and Denzel Perryman may slide in the draft. McKinney is the better fit in Atlanta, as he has the size and awareness to play a Bruce Irvin type role in Quinn's defense. He lacks elite cover skills, but he's as good against the run as any linebacker in the draft. He'll be a solid player wherever he lands, but McKinney could thrive in a system like Atlanta's.

Round 3: Clive Walford (TE-Miami)

Clive Walford Miami

Round 3: Clive Walford (TE-Miami)

Clive Walford Miami — This is about the time the tight ends should start coming off the board. Clive Walford is the No. 2 TE on my board, behind only Maxx Williams of Minnesota. The Falcons desperately need a TE to challenge Levine Toilolo for snaps. Walford won't be mistaken for Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham, but he can make plays with the ball in his hands. He's also a very reliable blocker who can stay on the field on running plays.

This is about the time the tight ends should start coming off the board. Clive Walford is the No. 2 TE on my board, behind only Maxx Williams of Minnesota. The Falcons desperately need a TE to challenge Levine Toilolo for snaps. Walford won't be mistaken for Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham, but he can make plays with the ball in his hands. He's also a very reliable blocker who can stay on the field on running plays.

Round 4: Stefon Diggs (WR-Maryland)

Stefon Diggs Maryland

Round 4: Stefon Diggs (WR-Maryland)

Stefon Diggs Maryland — Julio Jones and Roddy White will be the starting receivers for the Falcons in 2015. What the team needs is someone to play in the slot. Stefon Diggs spent a lot of time in the slot for Maryland and was very successful. He has solid hands and can make something out of nothing. Diggs will allow the Falcons to move the chains much more frequently in 2015. He's also an NFL-caliber returner and can eventually take over for Devin Hester.

Julio Jones and Roddy White will be the starting receivers for the Falcons in 2015. What the team needs is someone to play in the slot. Stefon Diggs spent a lot of time in the slot for Maryland and was very successful. He has solid hands and can make something out of nothing. Diggs will allow the Falcons to move the chains much more frequently in 2015. He's also an NFL-caliber returner and can eventually take over for Devin Hester.

Round 5: Matt Jones (RB-Florida)

Matt Jones Florida

Round 5: Matt Jones (RB-Florida)

Matt Jones Florida — After listening to Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff at the Combine, it appears as though the Falcons are ready to start Devonta Freeman at RB. The fourth-round pick in 2014 only carried the ball 65 times last year, but it was enough to convince those in charge that he should be starting. If that's the case, Matt Jones would be an ideal short-yardage back. He's much more powerful than Freeman and consistently falls forward for extra yardage.

After listening to Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff at the Combine, it appears as though the Falcons are ready to start Devonta Freeman at RB. The fourth-round pick in 2014 only carried the ball 65 times last year, but it was enough to convince those in charge that he should be starting. If that's the case, Matt Jones would be an ideal short-yardage back. He's much more powerful than Freeman and consistently falls forward for extra yardage.

Round 6: JaCorey Shepherd (CB-Kansas)

JaCorey Shepherd Kansas

Round 6: JaCorey Shepherd (CB-Kansas)

JaCorey Shepherd Kansas — With Robert McClain, Javier Arenas and Josh Wilson all free agents, the Falcons need to address their depth at CB. JaCorey Shepherd could be a late-round steal in this draft. He'll need a year or two to fix his technique and ability to read a WR, but he has the raw talent to become a starting CB in the NFL. Learning from players like Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford should accelerate his learning curve. Shepherd broke up 16 passes in 2014.

With Robert McClain, Javier Arenas and Josh Wilson all free agents, the Falcons need to address their depth at CB. JaCorey Shepherd could be a late-round steal in this draft. He'll need a year or two to fix his technique and ability to read a WR, but he has the raw talent to become a starting CB in the NFL. Learning from players like Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford should accelerate his learning curve. Shepherd broke up 16 passes in 2014.

Round 7: Xzavier Dickson (OLB-Alabama)

Xzavier Dickson Alabama

Round 7: Xzavier Dickson (OLB-Alabama)

Xzavier Dickson Alabama — With OLB likely being a priority in free agency, expect the Falcons to look for depth at the position in the draft. Xzavier Dickson didn't receive as much publicity as teammates Landon Collins or Trey DePriest, but he has a chance to make an NFL roster. After finishing 31st in the league in sacks, the additions of Shane Ray and Xzavier Dickson would improve the pass rush. Dickson led Alabama with nine sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss in 2014.

With OLB likely being a priority in free agency, expect the Falcons to look for depth at the position in the draft. Xzavier Dickson didn't receive as much publicity as teammates Landon Collins or Trey DePriest, but he has a chance to make an NFL roster. After finishing 31st in the league in sacks, the additions of Shane Ray and Xzavier Dickson would improve the pass rush. Dickson led Alabama with nine sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss in 2014.

Round 7 (from St. Louis): Mark Glowinski (G-West Virginia)

Mark Glowinski West Virginia

Round 7 (from St. Louis): Mark Glowinski (G-West Virginia)

Mark Glowinski West Virginia — Former tackle Mark Glowinski has moved inside to guard and would improve the depth behind Justin Blalock and Jon Asamoah. It will take some time for Glowinski to learn what it takes to play guard in the NFL, but the Falcons won't need him to start anytime soon. His 31 reps on the bench press at the Combine proves he has the strength to play inside, it's just the technical aspects of the position he needs to work on.

Former tackle Mark Glowinski has moved inside to guard and would improve the depth behind Justin Blalock and Jon Asamoah. It will take some time for Glowinski to learn what it takes to play guard in the NFL, but the Falcons won't need him to start anytime soon. His 31 reps on the bench press at the Combine proves he has the strength to play inside, it's just the technical aspects of the position he needs to work on.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:
2015 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders Post-Combine Mock
2015 NFL Draft: New England Patriots Post-Combine Mock

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Atlanta Falcons

Shawn Spencer is a writer for RantSports.

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