Introduction

It was tumultuous year in Atlanta.  First Michael Vick was arrested and eventually sent to prison.  Then the Falcons started the season 3-10 and rookie head coach Bobby Petrino dumped them for a job at Arkansas.  The team finished the season 4-12 and in last place in the NFC South.  The highlight of the year?  Maybe winning the coin toss with Raiders for the right to pick 3rd in the 2008 Draft?

The Falcons have been active during free agency.  They have dumped many players and brought in a few more.  The biggest addition is RB Michael Turner the powerful burner formerly of the Chargers.  He has never been an every down back, but has shown flashes of excellence spelling LaDainian Tomlinson.  Turner will get a majority of the carries and what ever is left will go to Jerious Norwood.  Atlanta cut Warrick Dunn.  Other offseason transactions are listed below.

Areas of Need
There are a few glaring needs that the Falcons must address during the draft.  The positions that are in dire need of an upgrade are…

Quarterback – Michael Vick is incarcerated and may never play in the NFL again.  Byron Leftwich wasn’t the answer.  Joey Harrington wasn’t the answer.  Chris Redman wasn’t the answer.  Harrington and Redman are back.  Is that a good thing?  Probably not.  Harrington and Redman will probably each start a few games in 2008 even if the Falcons draft a QB.  If the Falcons take a QB in the first two rounds of the draft (high probability of that happening) he will probably sit and learn throughout the first half of the year.  Look for the rookie to possibly get a start between games 8-12 if Atlanta looks awful.

Possible Targets (Round) – Matt Ryan, Boston College (1); Brian Brohm, Louisville (2); Chad Henne, Michigan (2); Joe Flacco, Delaware (2); Andre Woodson, Kentucky (3)


Offensive Line – Much like the Rams the Falcons line was decimated by injuries and inexperienced play in 2007.  The guards (Justin Blalock and Kynan Forney) are solid but the tackle position is a mess, on the right and left side.  Former starting LT Wayne Gandy was released and, as of now, Renardo Foster is in line to take over.  Yikes.  At RT veteran Todd Weiner returns but he is 32 and coming off an injury filled campaign.  His backup, Quinn Ojinnaka, is young but may push him in training camp.  A new LT is a necessity unless they plan on shifting Weiner or Ojinnaka.  Depth is definitely an issue.  I think the Dolphins or Rams will take Jake Long so he is out of the picture meaning the Falcons will be shopping for a new tackle in rounds two or three.

Possible Targets (Round) – Gosder Cherilus, Boston College (2); Sam Baker, USC (2); Anthony Collins, Kansas (2); Duane Brown, Virginia Tech (3); Carl Nicks, Nebraska (3)


Tight End – The Falcons have completely overhauled the tight end position.  In 2007 the roster consisted of Alge Crumpler, Dwayne Blakley, and Courtney Anderson.  All are gone.  They have filled them with a career backup Ben Hartsock and a player not even on a team in 2007 (Jason Rader).  Martrez Milner is the only holdover.  Someone to come in and challenge Milner and Hartsock is necessary.  Look for the Falcons to find someone in rounds three or four.

Possible Targets (Round) – Brad Cottam, Tennessee (3); John Carlson, Notre Dame (3); Jermichael Finley, Texas (4); Kellen Davis, Michigan State (4); Jacob Tamme, Kentucky (5)


Defensive Tackle – Perhaps the biggest hole on the roster lies at DT.  Gone are Grady Jackson and Rod Coleman.  Jonathan Babineaux has been a disappointment.  Montavious Stanley is better suited for a backup role, as is the recently signed Kindal Moorehead.  Someone like Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis could do wonders for this defense. 

Possible Targets (Round) – Glenn Dorsey, LSU (1); Sedrick Ellis, USC (1); Pat Sims, Auburn (2); Trevor Laws, Notre Dame (2); Dre Moore, Maryland (3)


Secondary – DeAngelo Hall and Lewis Sanders are gone.  So is Chris Crocker.  Lawyer Milloy is old.  The secondary needs work.  Chris Houston will more than likely start at one of the CB positions but the other spot is up for grabs.  With a plethora of second round picks available (picks 34, 37, and 48) it is important that the Falcons grab a CB.  An heir to Milloy would be nice in round three or four, too.

Possible Targets – CB Aqib Talib, Kansas (2); CB Justin King, Penn State (2); CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech (2); SS Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State (3); SS Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame (4)