By Tony Moss Apr 4, 2007, 15:05 GMT
- The Falcons have multiple needs on defense, and with the No. 8 overall pick (obtained in the Matt Schaub trade) could justify selecting any of the following players - safeties LaRon Landry (LSU) and Reggie Nelson (Florida), tackles Amobi Akoye (Louisville) and Alan Branch (Michigan), and defensive ends Gaines Adams (Clemson) and Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas). Atlanta could also use a cornerback to play opposite DeAngelo Hall and is in need of depth at linebacker, but those positions look like more of a second-round focus at this stage. If Atlanta takes an offensive player on the first day, he is likely to be an offensive lineman to help protect Michael Vick. Wide receiver is less of a need after the team obtained Joe Horn off the free agent wire. The Schaub trade gives the team a void at backup QB, and it seems obvious that the Falcons will take a signal-caller in the middle rounds to compete with Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley for that job.
2006 Record: 7-9
First Pick: No. 8
Number of Selections: 10 (1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7)
RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2006 - none; 2005 - Roddy White (WR, UAB); 2004 - DeAngelo Hall (CB, Virginia Tech), Michael Jenkins (WR, Ohio State); 2003 - none; 2002 - T.J. Duckett (RB, Michigan State); 2001 - Michael Vick (QB, Virginia Tech); 2000 - none; 1999 - Patrick Kerney (DE, Virginia); 1998 - Keith Brooking (LB, Georgia Tech); 1997 - Michael Booker (CB, Nebraska); 1996 - none; 1995 - Devin Bush (S, Florida State); 1994 - none; 1993 - Lincoln Kennedy (OT, Washington); 1992 - Bob Whitfield (OT, Stanford), Tony Smith (RB, Southern Mississippi); 1991 - Bruce Pickens (CB, Nebraska), Mike Pritchard (WR, Colorado); 1990 - Steve Broussard (RB, Washington State).
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