Carlos Rodgers, CB, Redskins, is having a pretty good in Washington. He's not getting a large number of picks, but he's forcing teams to throw at DeAngelo Hall. He's not happy with the ownership in Washington, and has started speaking out, which is not going to make Snyder happy. I think he'd be a good fit here in Atlanta. He's a big corner (well, 6'0" anyway), unlike what we have now, and JMO, that's what I think we need, especially with the big physical WR's in the NFL South.
Chris Gocong, OLB, Eagles, is also having a good year. I like our starters at LB. I'd still be interested in taking a peek at Gocong, although I doubt we'd be able to sign him. He would most likely play where Peterson is, and I'm not sure we're ready to replace him, but this would be a chance to get younger with a solid LB. Interesting, but not probable.
There are others out there as well, maybe a Kyle Boller/Brodie Croyle to bring in as the vet backup QB if we don't resign Redman. They could probably be had cheaply.
As for our FA's, I think we will resign Jenkins & Norwood, but both to low amount, short-term contracts. Jenkins is a very good blocking receiver and will become our Finneran, as I believe this is finally his last year here (hate to see my buddy go though). We should tender Snelling. Redman, 50/50, but if he's back, I think it's as the #3 guy this time. Grimes, amazing pick against New Orleans last night, but no tender IMO, unless you start showing more in games like you do in practice (the pick last night was a start).
Anyway, enough with the FA, on to the draft.
1st - Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh, DE *junior* - This really all depends on where we are picking in the draft. If we're somewhere in the low 20's, I think Ramous would be a great fit for us. He's an athletic DE, who was a former basketball player that didn't start playing football until his senior year of HS. He's gained 40 pounds in his 3 years at Pitt and instead of losing speed with the weight gain, he's actually gained burst & quickness off the line. He could very easily add another 10 pounds and still probably have very little effect. The negative here is his lack of experience. He's made great strides, improved every season, but he's still a little raw and would need to backup for a season before being ready to start IMO.
3rd - Brian Jackson, Oklahoma, CB - A bigger CB at 6'1 200 pounds. Jackson has been a riser this season with his solid play. He has good size and like I've said before, we need bigger, more physical CB's who can play with the WR's of the NFC South. I think Jackson will become a very good NFL CB, but will not become elite because of his average speed. He's not a burner, at about 4.5/40 but he's good enough at the line to keep receivers off balance and negate speed advantages that they may have.
4th - Vladimir Ducasse, UMASS, OG - A mammoth player at 6'5, 330 lbs. Vladimir moved to the US from Haiti in highschool, having never played football, only soccer. For a big man, he has extremely good footwork due to his soccer background. Ducasse dominates the OL and sustains blocks throughout the play. He's also able to get to the second level and engage defenders. Ducasse is also a very smart kid, who once he decided in highschool he wanted to play, lived in the film room watching and learning from film. Very Matt Ryan-esque in the way he studies film. Has been scouted several times personally by Scott Pioli in the last year.
5th - Adam Ulatoski, Texas, OT/RT - I love the way the right side of our OL plays, but I think from a skill set, they could both be upgraded. I think Ducasse & Ulatoksi are 2 players we can do that with. Clabo would make a valuable backup, being able to play almost anywhere on the OL & Dahl could backup both OG spots. Ulatski has been a LT at Texas, but I think will be better suited to RT in the NFL.
6th - Riley Cooper, Florida, WR - Ugh, can't believe I'm putting this one in. First it's a gaytor, Second it's a gaytor WR & we all know how they do in the NFL. That said, I think we need a more physical WR in the passing game. Cooper is physical, he's got good hands, and I think he would be an excellent replacement for Finneran this coming year & he would move up the depth charts to #3 & take Jenkins' spot there by the end of the season (assuming HD comes all the way back & takes the #2 spot).
UDFA - Pat Simonds, Colgate, TE - This guy probably won't be drafted, but the guy has great size/speed combo and would make for mismatches similar to what Gonzalez does for us now. Simonds is a WR in college, but at 6'6" and 222 lbs, I can see him becoming a TE in the NFL and might as well let him learn from the best in TG for a year or two.
So, let me know how much this sucks.
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