Falcons readying to move up in the 2015 NFL Draft, according to report
The Falcons are getting ready to make a move up in the NFL Draft in order to select an impact defender. Reports have tied them to Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.
The NFL Draft is almost here, which means the Atlanta Falcons are readying another move up the draft board. The Falcons have made at least one trade during each of general manager Thomas Dimitroff’s seven seasons with the team, most of them to acquire a high draft pick. According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, the team is hoping to move up from the No. 8 overall spot to acquire an impact defender.
A report by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently tied the team to Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., who is projected to go No. 3 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars in SB Nation’s latest mock draft. The Jags have several team needs and may be interested in acquiring more draft picks, making them a logical trade partner assuming the Falcons are set on moving up.
The Falcons have a tradition of moving up in the draft. The two most notable may be team’s move from No. 27 to No. 6 overall to acquire Julio Jones in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in 2011, and from No. 5 to No. 1 overall to acquire Michael Vick in 2001 in a trade with the San Diego Chargers. The Falcons’ also moved up from No. 30 to No. 22 to acquire Desmond Trufant in 2013, and moved into the first round to select Sam Baker at No. 21 in 2008.
If Fowler is the choice, the Falcons would be getting an incredible athlete. SB Nation’s Stephen White wrote that Fowler still isn’t a finished product, however:
He has good size and decent upper body strength -- I'm not tripping on the 19 reps of 225 he did at the combine. Anything around 20 is good money in my book -- but his technique is shoddy and inconsistent and he spends too much time looking for the ball rather than kicking the blocker's ass.
A dude with Fowler's ability can fix that pretty easily with a little drill work. But what if he doesn't? Can you imagine a top five pick who can't rush the passer and can't set the edge?!
The Falcons are desperate for defensive help after finishing dead last in the NFL in yards allowed last season. The team was especially bad at rushing the passer. Atlanta’s 22 sacks were the fewest in the NFL -- tied with Oakland and just two ahead of Cincinnati.
SB Nation presents: Atlanta’s needs in the draft
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