Falcons’ draft: Three rounds, three starters

By Darrell Laurant  |   Tuesday, May 01, 2007  |  Comments( 3 )

Atlanta Falcons
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The people who helped put together the Atlanta Falcons' draft plan probably had a few choice words for the Washington Redskins early Saturday, the only printable one being, "Why?"

It was no secret that the Falcons, picking eighth, coveted safety LaRon Landry from LSU. But the Redskins called Landry's name two spots earlier, despite the fact that the secondary may be the strongest part of Washington's defense.

In the end, it didn't matter. The Falcons filled what might have been an even bigger hole when their turn arrived, choosing pass rusher Jamaal Anderson of Arkansas. The 6-foot-5, 288-pound Razorback started out his high school career as a wide receiver and was clocked at 4.75 in the 40. A force of nature around the edge, he accounted for 19.5 tackles for loss and 13½ sacks, most of that production achieved in arguably the nation's toughest conference last season.

And then, it got even better. In the second round, the Falcons eased the sting of losing Landry by selecting cornerback Chris Houston, a college teammate of Anderson and a guy who wasn't supposed to be around in the second round. Using another second-round pick acquired from the Houston Texans in the Matt Schaub deal, the Falcons also chose brutish OG Justin Blalock of Texas (6-3, 320), a first-team consensus All-American.

All three of those first picks stand a very good chance of starting as rookies. Add WR Laurent Robinson, who has 4.38 speed and amassed 1,468 receiving yards as an Illinois State junior; aggressive and versatile linebacker Stephen Nicholas of South Florida (102 tackles, 7½ sacks), TE Martez Milner of Georgia, and high-profile sixth-round picks David Irons (CB, Auburn) and Doug Datish (G/C, Ohio State), and you've got one of the best drafts the Falcons have pulled off in years.

In all, Atlanta took 11 players at 10 different positions. And with weakside LB Demorrio Williams now sidelined with a torn pectoral muscle suffered during his offseason weight-training regime, that fourth-round pick of Nicholas looks even better.

Of course, had the Falcons known that starting DT Rod Coleman would injure his leg in a boating accident on the same weekend as the draft, they may have taken another tackle higher than the 6-3, 300-pound Trey Lewis of Washburn University (Kansas) in Round 6. Lewis was dominant on the Division II level, but he faces a giant step up.

Otherwise, you have to give Atlanta a hand for filling virtually all of its needs -- that is, except for a more responsible Michael Vick.

Who needs LaRon Landry, anyway?

Original Atlanta Falcons insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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