Ep. 159 “Looking For the Perfect Fit”

Aaron is flying solo this week, but gets some much-needed help and insight from Eric Robinson and Raekwon Gilbert, who both write for Blogging Dirty and DBN Fanatics. This week’s episode is entirely devoted to decipher the needs, fits and plans for the Atlanta Falcons in the approaching 2016 NFL Draft. They discuss the team’s biggest needs, whether best player available or drafting for need is the best strategy and what sort of foundation has already been laid in Atlanta for Dan Quinn to build upon. (13:00) They begin discussing some of the first-round targets such as Ohio State LB Darron Lee, Alabama LB Reggie Ragland, Georgia LB Leonard Floyd, Clemson DE Shaq Lawson, Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins and Florida S Keanu Neal. They discuss each players’ strengths and weaknesses, their scheme fit, upside and make a few comparisons to current NFL players. They also discuss whether the Falcons should trade down in the first round and who are some potential options they could find later in the round. (37:09) They begin discussing some of the second-day options that could be targeted int he second and third round of the draft, including Notre Dame DT Sheldon Day, Boise State S Darian Thompson, USC LB Su’a Cravens, LSU LB Deion Jones, Ohio State LB Joshua Perry and Arkansas TE Hunter Henry among several others. The notion of whether 2016 features a weak or strong draft class comes up and whether it’ll allow the Falcons to find options at need positions like middle linebacker and tight end deeper into the draft. They discuss current Falcons including Grady Jarrett, Tyson Jackson, Paul Worrilow, Brooks Reed and what sort of impact the draft could have on their roles in 2016. (1:00:06) Raekwon and Eric each pick three underrated prospects in this year’s draft class and one overrated prospect.