{"id":2595,"date":"2010-04-24T16:07:57","date_gmt":"2010-04-24T21:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.calvertgames.com\/cgblog\/?p=2595"},"modified":"2010-04-24T16:10:22","modified_gmt":"2010-04-24T21:10:22","slug":"falcons-day-three-draft-coverage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.calvertgames.com\/cgblog\/2010\/04\/24\/falcons-day-three-draft-coverage\/","title":{"rendered":"Falcons Day Three Draft Coverage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Entering the third and final day of the draft the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> had a total of five picks; however they left with only four players.<\/p>\n

Joe Hawley OL (UNLV)<\/em><\/strong>
\nThe Falcons selected Joe Hawley<\/a> \u2013 OL UNLV \u2013 in the 4th round (No. 117 overall).<\/p>\n

A talented blocker who is a leader along the line entering his senior season \u2026 A versatile player who has started at two interior positions but begins his senior season as the starter at one guard spot \u2026 A preseason Second Team All-MWC selection by Phil Steele\u2019s, which ranked him the nation\u2019s No. 51 guard \u2026 A member of the 2009 Rebel Leadership Committee.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The trend continues \u2013 the Falcons are building for depth, versatility, and character \u2026 not necessarily in that order. CBSSports.com has Hawley as the 6th best center<\/a> in the 2010 draft, so maybe the Falcons brass expects Hawley to eventually replace longtime center Todd McClure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dominique Franks CB (Oklahoma)<\/em><\/strong>
\nThe Falcons selected Dominique Franks<\/a> \u2013 CB Oklahoma \u2013 in the 5th round (No. 135 overall).<\/p>\n

As the Falcons continue to rebuild their secondary, one would expect that a 6\u20190\u201d CB that can also return punts and kickoffs will earn a roster spot. Not to say that Franks will get on the field right away in the secondary, but I can see him contribute at the start of the season on special teams and at some point he may be able to earn his way into the CB mix as a reserve.<\/p>\n

The Falcons must be high on Franks because they traded up with the Rams to get Franks, which cost a 6th round pick. Franks looks like a coverage only CB; he is not going to get after the QB and force sacks, however Franks did have 2 INTs in 2009 and 4 INTs in 2008. It is hard for me to say those are solid numbers in the pass happy Big-12, but seeing that Franks managed 5 pass breakups in 2009, and 10 in 2008 gives some encouragement that the Falcons must expect Franks to be more than an eventual reserve.<\/p>\n

Kerry Meier WR (Kansas)<\/em><\/strong>
\nThe Falcons selected Kerry Meier<\/a> \u2013 WR Kansas \u2013 in the 5th round (No. 165 overall).<\/p>\n

Meier<\/a> looks like a very versatile (read athletic) player out of Kansas. Meier was a QB and punter in high school, and eventually converted to a WR, where he excelled. Last year Meier racked up just under 1000 yards and 8 TDs on 102 receptions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At 6\u20192\u201d and 220, Meier will challenge for some playing time.<\/p>\n

Shann Schillinger S (Montana)<\/em><\/strong>
\nThe Falcons selected Shann Schillinger<\/a> \u2013 S Montana \u2013 in the 6th round (No. 171 overall).<\/p>\n

I could not find a lot on Schillinger<\/a>, other than he is probably another high character type, however unlike the Falcons\u2019 other 2010 picks, I don\u2019t think Schillinger provides much versatility. He looks to be the definition of a gamer, and was probably drafted for special team coverage, and depth at safety, although 8 career INTs does not look all that bad.<\/p>\n

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