Today will likely be one of the most important- if not the most important- day of the NFL scouting combine for the Atlanta Falcons.
The offensive linemen and tight ends, two positions everyone can pretty much agree are high up on Thomas Dimitroff's offseason to-do list, are set to engage in all the major workouts throughout the day. That means we'll be seeing 40-yard dash times and bench press measurements from both groups, along with vertical measurements for tight ends.
Let's also not forget that the quarterback/running back/wide receivers group, which weighed in yesterday, will be working out tomorrow. With all that said, here are some notes and updates for Falcons fans to take away from the combine thus far:
While I'd be really surprised if the Falcons took a wide receiver on the second day of the draft (rounds 2 and 3), I would be far less surprised if we see the team maybe look for a Harry Douglas replacement-type player on the draft's final day (the wideouts weighed in yesterday, here are the results).
One man who could wind up a big winner at the combine is California senior Marvin Jones. Coming in at 6'2, 199 lbs., Jones had the second-largest hands among wideouts at the combine (10.25 in.). As long as he checks out medically and can put up a decent 40 time, he could find himself among the "sleeper" wide receiver prospects.
And then there's James Rodgers, who is in the fact the older brother of current Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers. Like his brother, he's pretty short (5'7, 184 lbs.) and had fairly small hands (8.75 in.). But Rodgers is also shifty, a speedster, and could fit right into the Falcons offense and Dirk Koetter's vertical passing game.
More importantly to the Falcons, however, will be the results of the OL and TE drills that will come in throughout the day.
A few guys to keep an eye on include Kelechi Osemele, Andrew Datko, Nate Potter, Ben Jones, Coby Fleener, and Ladarius Green. Those are all guys the Falcons could very well end up drafting at some point this year.
For more, check out Falcons blog The Falcoholic or head over to SB Nation's NFL hub page for combine updates.