5 Late-Round Sleepers the Atlanta Falcons Should Target
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The Atlanta Falcons ended the 2014 season with several question marks regarding the team's future. The first question was answered fairly quickly when Mike Smith was terminated as head coach and eventually replaced by Dan Quinn. Atlanta needs to be active this offseason to fill various holes on the roster. The draft is critical for a team to have long-term success in the NFL, and the Falcons should target these players on Day 3.
5. Rob Hollomon (RB-Central Connecticut State)
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5. Rob Hollomon (RB-Central Connecticut State)
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Rob Hollomon is one of the most explosive players in the FCS. In just three seasons, he accumulated 5,808 total yards. To compare, Hollomon averaged over 50 yards more per game than the No. 1 RB on my board, Todd Gurley. It's his size (5-foot-8, 170 pounds) that hurts his stock. Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli is a CCSU alum who drafted another Blue Devils' RB, Justise Hairston, in 2007 when he was on the Patriots staff.
4. Damiere Byrd (WR-South Carolina)
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4. Damiere Byrd (WR-South Carolina)
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Another undersized player worth a look late in the draft is South Carolina's Damiere Byrd. He's one of the fastest players in this draft and would have a shot to make the roster due to the release of Harry Douglas and the impending free agency of Eric Weems. South Carolina had several NFL prospects on the offense which hurt Byrd's production. At worst, he's someone the Falcons can stash on the practice squad for a year or two.
3. Andrew Donnal (OT-Iowa)
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3. Andrew Donnal (OT-Iowa)
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Brandon Scherff is by far the best NFL prospect from the Iowa roster, but Andrew Donnal is a legitimate prospect as well. The right tackle isn't one of the stronger linemen in the draft, but he gets the job done. The Falcons need to add depth on the offensive line, and Donnal will be one of the better options available on Day 3. He began his career at Iowa playing guard but will likely be limited to tackle in the NFL unless he can get stronger.
2. Brock Hekking (DE-Nevada)
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2. Brock Hekking (DE-Nevada)
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Brock Hekking is as energetic as any player in this draft. He has a non-stop motor and makes the majority of his tackles by out-hustling his opponent. The problem is, he's not athletic or strong enough to shed NFL linemen. Defensive end is a need for the Falcons, but Hekking would be brought in for depth, not a starting job. While he may not even break into a rotation on the defensive line, he could become a core special teams player.
1. JaCorey Shepherd (CB-Kansas)
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1. JaCorey Shepherd (CB-Kansas)
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JaCorey Shepherd would be an ideal choice in the sixth or seventh round for the Falcons. He has outstanding ball skills, but needs to clean up his technique in order to become a starter in the NFL. The Falcons have enough talented players in the secondary for Shepherd to learn from. A year or two learning from Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford could do wonders for Shepherd's career.
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.
