Atlanta Falcons Number One Need

Well it’s getting that time again. The NFL Combine is done and said with, and I could have cared less to watch these college players tryout in tights for NFL teams. And did they really have to broadcast it during primetime. I think they just need to have Pro Days at the player’s colleges, but I also know that takes extra money and time. But really, what do I know?

The draft is just a little more than a month away and who do I think the Falcons need to draft, well, it depends on who the the Falcons sign in free agency. The Falcons need to shore up the defensive line and get their defensive end taken care of. The story of drafting the hometown kid Vic Beasley out of Clemson was all warm and fuzzy, but it was a fail. The Falcons picked up his fifth year option, but Beasley was less motivated to be here anymore so he is gone. Then the Falcons drafted the high powered all talk Takk McKinley, out of UCLA, another feel good story playing for his grandmother. But McKinley who was injury prone in college with a shoulder injury, still is injury prone in the pros. So this is what I say. Pass on DE in free agency and sign free agent running back Melvin Gordon from the LA Chargers to shore up your running back position as Devonte Freeman will not be returning to line up behind QB Matt Ryan.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

In the draft, package draft picks to the Washington Redskins for the number two overall pick and draft Ohio State LB Chase Young. The Cincinnati Bengals will be selecting LSU QB Joe Burrow. The Falcons have seven draft picks with their number one at 16. Package the number 16, 2nd at 55, 5th at 140 to Washington for the second pick and draft Young. You may say wow, slow your roll, but I say why? What does this team have to lose. They have a head coach in Dan Quinn and GM in Thomas Dimitroff that are both playing for their jobs. They both could be gone at game five if the Falcons start this season like they did last. This Falcons team is a boring team to watch. Yes, they are my team, and they are boring. The team needs to create a buzz with their fanbase. Remember Michael Vick, buzz. Drafting Young, buzz with the fanbase. This team needs to start taking chances and don’t be so conservative about everything. The Falcon Filter needs to be lifted. This team will not win a Super Bowl with the Falcon Filter. And you know what, who cares if it doesn’t work out, at least the fanbase will see that the Falcons made the effort. I imagine owner Arthur Blank is looking around Mercedes Benz Stadium at all the empty seats and says to himself that something needs to happen to get fans back in the seats. And this could be that something.

If the Falcons stay at 16 and do not make any moves, look for this upcoming season to be about the same as the previous two, 7-9 and maybe worst. Follow me on Twitter @makirkley for up-to-date tweets, and my views on what's going on in the world of sports.