The response to the Mock Monitor last week was overwhelming. I'm really glad many of you find it to be a useful tool as we head toward the draft.
Because of that, I will do my best to keep expanding the sample of mock drafts I look at each week. This week, we're joined by the AOL Fanhouse mock draft.
Now, if you take a look at the updated version of the Mock Monitor, you'll notice there wasn't much change. In last week's Mock Monitor: 1.0, I detailed a bit about the more popular pick at this point, Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan — whom I'm a big fan of.
Those who picked Kerrigan last week still have him there this week, and CBSSports.com's Chad Reuter came over to the Kerrigan side by mocking the Falcons to take him instead of his previous pick for the Birds, Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi.
So that means there's now four mocks projecting Kerrigan winds up with the Falcons. Two still have Atlanta taking Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith and two project Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward.
But let's focus this week on the pick of Mock Monitor newcomer, AOL Fanhouse.
The House actually echos a very strong sentiment I've heard on Twitter recently, and that is the need to plan for the future at Tony Gonzalez's position.
Gonzalez has said he will be back for the 2011 season, and possibly beyond that. Still, he can't play forever and he could decide to hang up his cleats any time. Because of that's it's important to have his replacement waiting in the wings, even spending a year or two learning from the future Hall of Famer.
Not a bad idea. Many of you agree with AOL Fanhouse in their pick of Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph for the Falcons.
Rudolph had a prolific career with the Irish, finishing fourth in Notre Dame history in receptions and receiving yards. He's a great pass-catching tight end that can even spend some time split out wide.
The knock on him is whether or not he's injury prone. He missed the final seven games last season with a hamstring injury and part of 2009 with a shoulder injury.
But when he's healthy and on the field, he has the potential to be a game-changer. He's easily the top tight end in the draft and should find a home in the first round.
We'll just have to wait and see if that home ends up being Atlanta.
Vote below to have your voice heard about who the Falcons should pick come April:
