Just twelve more hours... that's what I keep telling myself. The near five-month lead up to the NFL draft ends tonight as the first round commences at 8PM, and unless the Falcons are planning some sort of crazy move- it's unlikely we'll hear from them until Friday night.
Atlanta's big move came yesterday in trading for CB Asante Samuel, an almost certain move that allows fans to cross ‘cornerback' off of the team's need list in the first two rounds. This now means that the offensive and defensive lines are in complete focus moving towards the 55th pick.
This plan to strengthen the lines was the same modus operandi the Kansas City Chiefs employed in approaching the 2011 draft. Obviously one year is far too close to really judge a pick, but let's look at who KC got anyway.
"With the fifty-fifth pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Kansas City Chiefs select- Rodney Hudson, C, Florida State"
The Chiefs really needed to get better at protecting QB Matt Cassell, and this started with the prototypical interior lineman in Hudson. A multi-year starter at FSU he was the right decision to help bolster the interior pass protection in a division with some stout defensive lines, and good pass rushes. Center is a position that always takes time to learn, and as such he only started one game in 2011, but he shows a lot of promise.
Recent rumors have Wisconsin center Peter Konz falling into the second round, and possibly lasting until the 55th pick. If that should happen he would be the perfect selection for the Falcons. Last season we saw the franchise struggle without Todd McClure under center, and he's not getting any younger. Getting a young, promising center who doesn't need to start right away could be ideal for the Falcons.
Head over the ‘The Falcoholic' for all your Atlanta Falcons draft-day needs!
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