The Falcons have been ultra aggressive in their play to move up the board in Round 1. Many have assumed that they’d leap for a big-time cornerback, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that they’ve also spent time chatting with some of this year’s top offensive tackles. 
The elite cornerbacks – Jeffrey Okudah and C.J. Henderson – still seem to be the most likely targets for Atlanta if they vault into the Top 10. Still, Rapoport hears they’re at least considering the possibility of tapping a tackle near the top of the order. The offensive lineman in this year’s class aren’t getting as much love as the wide receivers, but it’s another area of strength in this year’s crop.
Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas (a local fave, of course), Louisville standout Mekhi Becton, and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills could all be there for the taking if the Falcons manage to soar high enough. Assuming the Redskins and Lions stand pat at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively, getting the Giants’ No. 4 pick should allow them to grab any of the aforementioned targets, with the possible exception of Okudah. Of course, the Giants are also in the hunt for OL help and they’ve been linked to Wirfs for several weeks, so it’s not a given that they can pry that pick away.
Last year, the Falcons fortified their offensive line in the draft by taking Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom in the first round. They’re still looking for lineman, so it’s a situation worth monitoring.
Pass. They should stay where they are. Sure you miss out on Becton Thomas and Wirf but Jedrick Wills or Austin Jackson should be there.
Or you can wait till later and draft Thomas teammate Isiah Wilson 6’6″ 350 or Trey Adams out of Washington 6’8″ 318 possibly in 3rd or 4th.
Should also take a project tackle later on like Alex Taylor out of South Carolina State 6’8″ 308. Could stand to add some weight but he’s got an arm length of 36″ and hand size of 11. Ran a 5.09 40. Could be a steal in years to come.
To put things in perspective Taylor’s measurements beat out the top guys. Longer arms and bigger hands than everyone projected to be top tier guys.
If anything they should trade one of their 4th round picks for a 4th next year and a 5tg or 6th this year and target Taylor who I think will be a good tackle. Reminds me a lot of Jason Peters.
You list all their heights and weights as if that is the most important thing when drafting linemen. Here’s a tip: it’s not.
That’s cool. Really useful feed back. Adds a whole new level to the conversation.
Counter point: I listed the height and weight cause teams look at measurements. Teams literally judge QBs on hand size and height. Drew Lock fell to the 2nd round cause teams had issues with his hand size.
Measurements like height speed arm length strength and hand size do impact draft value.
Furthermore I listed height and weight cause as a LT you typically line up against a teams best pass rusher. You need the size and strength to beat a bull rush but also the quickness to handle speed rush.
Wills will be gone by 16 and Taylor is a 6th rounder at best to try and stash on a practice squad for a year.
They should pick lloyd cushenberry the center from LSU in 2nd round. He can start at rightguard right away, and we can also groom him to take over for alex mack in a season or two
Seems weird they’d want to move up for a lineman after taking 2 in the first last year. What would their line look like if they moved up for one of the four top tackles?
If the Falcons can stay healthy, I think they have an offense that can stay with anyone. Need to address some of those defensive weaknesses though.
I’d be shocked if the “Redskins and Lions stand pat at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively “.
You can make some good arguments for why these teams should both stick and trade down. The Redskins just brought in Ron so he’s obviously not under pressure to deliver immediate results. The situation is quite different in Detroit however. Either way there should be some interesting drama ahead.