My First-Round Pick If I Were Dimitroff

[MalteseFalcon1994]

Mikel LeShoure
RB, Illinois
Size: 6-foot-1, 230 pounds
Scouting Report

From Sideline Scouting:

Positives: Great size, very strong build... May be the best size/speed combination in this running back class... Does a great job holding the football close to his body... Very quick feet, reaches his top speed almost immediately which makes him a big play threat... Gets his first 15-20 yards in a hurry, tough to contain... Runs through tackles, does a great job getting through trash and running between the tackles... Keeps his legs moving at all times, very hard to slow down... Runs with low pad level, delivers hits rather than absorb them... Great vision, waits for his blockers... Soft hands, is growing to be a capable receiver out of the backfield... One of the few backs in this class that has the potential to be a true workhorse... This is his first season as a starter so he will come to the NFL without much tread on his tires... A complete running back, isn't flashy, but is the type of player who can carry the ball a ton, and contribute on passing downs.

Negatives: Really has only had one great season thus far ... Often tries to break the big play rather than settle for a short gain, is prone to some negative yardage plays.
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This guy is exactly what we need IMO

[TonyGraziani]

The last Illini back drafted in the first just ran his team into the Super Bowl. His backup was a key in his team getting a ring this year. They put out some quality backs up there. Idk too much about him, but he sounds good. The biggest point I noticed, which is Turner's main weakness IMO, is that he gets to his top speed immediately. We need that burst.

[Quinton]

I like LeShoure a lot, but I feel that there is SO MUCH DEPTH at the RB position this year. It is crazy. I think we have greater needs than to take a RB in the 1st round, especially considering we could probably get a quality back like DeMarco Murray in the 2nd or 3rd if we really wanted to take a RB in the first 3 rounds.

[Radical]

I don't see us going RB in the 1st, he sounds nice though. One thing about RBs, is that they almost always contribute very well right off the bat. People like to see instant impact, and RBs generally show that impact instantly.

I pegged us with Sean Weatherspoon before the draft, with Graham Morgan if I remember correctly, being our 2nd option. EDIT: Derrick Morgan. Lol at combining the names of two DEs in the draft that year.

I see us either going OL, DE, or WR this year in the 1st. TE is a thought, but not likely. Last year I had us pegged for OLB, DE, or G/C. It really just depends on who is available to us. Just because we have a need doesn't mean it can be instantly filled. There actually has to be a player that fits available.

[caver50]

I doubt that we take a running back in the first round, but it could happen if the right guy is there. It's to easy to get a good back in the later rounds. Pretty much agree with Radical on this one.

[g-dawg]

as long as the Falcons have a decent #1 RB (Michael Turner) and - we do - I would not subscribe to the Atlanta Falcons taking a runningback in the first round until our team is more complete.

A #2 RB in the first round is a luxury the Falcons just cannot afford right now with the glaring holes on defense - we just played a playoff game where our defense did not stop the opposing teams offense - ALL DAY - zero punts......

Sorry, the first round pick must be defense or WR.

[MalteseFalcon1994]

(01-24-2011 10:57 AM)g-dawg Wrote:  as long as the Falcons have a decent #1 RB (Michael Turner) and - we do - I would not subscribe to the Atlanta Falcons taking a runningback in the first round until our team is more complete.

A #2 RB in the first round is a luxury the Falcons just cannot afford right now with the glaring holes on defense - we just played a playoff game where our defense did not stop the opposing teams offense - ALL DAY - zero punts......

Sorry, the first round pick must be defense or WR.

He would be our #1.

[g-dawg]

(01-24-2011 11:21 AM)MalteseFalcon1994 Wrote:  He would be our #1.

well, I doubt it Maltese - for all the hand-wringing over Michael Turner, he still had almost 1,400 yards rushing this year. While I agree that he is not as good as he was two years ago, he still was #3 in the entire NFL in rushing yards.

Since Turner is a poor receiving RB, I will give you that we need a good #2 RB - somebody with some speed. I just don't think the Falcons need to burn their first round pick on a running back.

Maltese, obviously Dimitroff/Smitty/Blank will take care of some of Falcons needs in free agency but I see Falcons most pressing needs ranked in this order:

1) Defensive End (hopefully addressed in Free Agency)
2) Cornerback (yes, I know we have Dunta and Grimes - we need more/better)
3) Wide Receiver (we need a fast/long strike playmaker)
4) Running Back (ok, I will put running back at #4 overall - say 3rd-4th round pick - think Derrick Locke, RB-Kentucky)
5) Tight End (we need a replacement for Tony Gonzalez who probably retires after 2011).
6) Offensive Line Depth
7) Linebacker Depth

[Ballfan]

Just my take:
1) Wide Receiver (SPEED to stretch the field)
2) Fast/ Athletic Linebacker
3) Defensive End (hopefully addressed in Free Agency)
4) Running Back (SPEED with catching ability)
5) Tight End (we need a replacement for Tony Gonzalez who probably retires after 2011).
6) Offensive Line Depth
7) Cornerback (yes, I know we have Dunta and Grimes - we need more/better)

[TonyGraziani]

(01-24-2011 10:57 AM)g-dawg Wrote:  as long as the Falcons have a decent #1 RB (Michael Turner) and - we do - I would not subscribe to the Atlanta Falcons taking a runningback in the first round until our team is more complete.

A #2 RB in the first round is a luxury the Falcons just cannot afford right now with the glaring holes on defense - we just played a playoff game where our defense did not stop the opposing teams offense - ALL DAY - zero punts......

Sorry, the first round pick must be defense or WR.

What if instead of looking at him as a #2 RB, you see him as another offensive weapon? We need somebody that's gonna make a play, whether at WR, RB, FB, TE, H-Back, LG on a fumblerooski. If a player gets us yards and points, does it matter what position he plays? I absolutely agree that our D needs work, but we should focus on playmaking ability more than actual position when it comes to offensive players in the draft IMO.