The 2015 NFL Draft is within sight, just over two weeks away in Chicago, April 30 - May 2. As experts continue fine-tuning their mock drafts, the predictions continue to emphasize the Falcons are thinking defense with their top choice. While Atlanta's eighth-overall pick appears favored to be either Vic Beasley, Shane Ray or Randy Gregory, another pass rusher made his way back onto the draft board as a possibility for the Falcons, Kentucky defensive end Alvin "Bud" Dupree. Have a look at the latest expert projections, included updated analysis on various picks.
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
"Atlanta needs productivity from a pass-rusher, and I think new defensive coordinator Richard Smith will know how to get Beasley going in the same way Denver was able to get Von Miller going. Now, Beasley isn't Miller -- but I do think he's a pure pass-rusher who can get to opposing QBs regardless of what system you're employing. Beasley had 44.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons, and while I don't think he's an every-down player, he's going to come in ready to be used. Shane Ray is also an option here, and though I wouldn't rule out an O-line pick either, with Scherff off the board, the value isn't great in this slot."
Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
"The Falcons desperately need to upgrade their pass rush, and they'll have several edge rushers from which to choose in this scenario. I have them going with Ray over Vic Beasley, because while both have elite first-step quickness, Ray has better length and is more relentless. The fact that he doesn't show much of a power element to his game on tape is a bit concerning, but he fills a need here. One thing to keep in mind, if Dante Fowler Jr. is available at this spot: New Falcons head coach Dan Quinn coached Fowler while at Florida in 2012."
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
"Dan Quinn needs an explosive edge rusher and Beasley fits the description."
La'el Collins, OT, LSU
"The Falcons need to become tougher and more aggressive at the point of attack. Collins is a hard-nosed edge blocker with a nasty disposition and a workmanlike game."
Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
"The SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year might be the best pure pass rusher in this draft class. The Falcons, of course, struggled immensely on defense last year, with their pass rush among the very worst in the league. Aging veteran Kroy Biermann led the team in sacks with just 4.5. Ray is a solid kid all around and a beast off the edge; this would be a wise selection by Atlanta if the medicals check out."
The last thing the 2015 Scouting Combine participants were thinking about was their facial expressions, which makes them so darn funny to look at
Arkansas defensive lineman Darius Philon
Auburn defensive lineman Gabe Wright
Clemson defensive lineman Grady Jarrett
Clemson defensive lineman Tavaris Barnes
Clemson defensive lineman Vic Beasley
Delaware tight end Nick Boyle
Florida defensive lineman/linebacker Dante Fowler
Florida State defensive back PJ Williams
Florida State defensive lineman Mario Edwards
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston
Hawaii running back Joey Iosefa
Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree
Kentucky defensive lineman Za'Darius Smith
Lafayette running back Ross Scheuerman
Memphis defensive back Bobby McCain
Miami defensive lineman Anthony Chickillo
Miami (Ohio) running back Quinten Rollins
Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams
Ole Miss defensive back Cody Prewitt
Notre Dame tight end Ben Koyack
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota
Penn State offensive lineman Donovan Smith
NFL Network's Rich Eisen
San Diego State wide receiver Ezell Ruffin
Southern Miss defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Stanford offensive lineman Andrus Peat
Texas defensive lineman Malcom Brown
Towson defensive back Tye Smith
UConn wide receiver Geremy Davis
Southern Cal defensive lineman Leonard Williams
Virginia Tech defensive back Kyoshen Jarrett
Virginia defensive lineman Eli Harold
Washington defensive back Marcus Peters
Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
"New Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn has to address their defensive front and in this spot there are still some nice options, but it all depends on what happens in front of the Falcons. In this mock scenario Randy Gregory is the call. He's freaky athletically but needs to bulk up. Gregory was only 235-pounds at the Combine. Still, it's a great start for this new staff in Atlanta."
Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE, Kentucky
"The Falcons brought in former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as head coach to bring some intensity and pass rush. Dupree isn't as technically refined yet as some of his competitors, but he has the tools Quinn can develop."
Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
"The Falcons have been active adding front-seven defenders via free agency, but that won't stop Atlanta from targeting a "Leo" pass rusher at this pick. Ray is far from a flawless prospect, but he might have the best first-step quickness in this draft class."**
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Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
"Beasley put on 10 pounds to get up to 246 and still blew out every test at the combine. He lived in opposing backfields, especially over the last two years with over 70 plays behind the line of scrimmage. The Falcons have not had an athlete like this since John Abraham."
Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
"Randy Gregory might not seem like a fit in the 4-3 defense the Atlanta Falcons are running, but look at head coach Dan Quinn's defenses in Seattle and you'll see Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin. Gregory can fill that edge-rusher role for Atlanta by playing both defensive end and linebacker in the Falcons' scheme.
Gregory can play outside linebacker or defensive end and has rare agility and movement skills in space. He dominated at a low weight at Nebraska, and while he may never be a true 4-3 defensive end, the Falcons don't need him to be. They need him to be an attacking, aggressive, athletic edge-rusher, which he is."
Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
"Gregory's intelligence should be in question, but his talent shouldn't be. How's that for a goofy sportswriter line? Gregory might slide some in the draft, but maybe not as far as people think. Atlanta has a big need for a player like Gregory, someone who can line up in a number of ways and get after the quarterback. If the Falcons don't like Gregory and the players left here, trading down a few spots would be smart."
Leading Vote-Getters
- Vic Beasley (3), Shane Ray (3) and Randy Gregory (3)
- La'el Collins (1) and Alvin "Bud" Dupree (1)
