The Atlanta Falcons might not be as focused on defense in the first round as many might have assumed. The franchise is looking to install as many playmakers on both sides of the ball as possible in the NFL Draft and might make a surprise decision in the first round. While most NFL mock drafts have the Falcons pegged to select a pass rusher with their first pick, could the team be eyeing a running back instead?
According to NFL Media draft analyst Charles Davis via AtlantaFalcons.com, the team will select Todd Gurley with their No. 8 overall pick. A running back has not been selected that high in the draft since the Cleveland Browns drafted Trent Richardson, an experiment that failed in the end. Could the Falcons change all of that? Gurley is expected to be the first running back off the board and if Atlanta views him as the future of the position, the move could be made.
"My latest mock draft, I have them taking Todd Gurley," Davis said. "The reason I did it that way, remember I did it before they announced (Nebraska's Randy) Gregory's stuff (failed drug test), I had a major run on edge rushers. I didn't have an edge rusher that I could give Atlanta, unless I elevated (Kentucky's) Bud Dupree by (Virginia's Eli) Harold, and (No.) eight felt too rich for me. If the medical is good with Gurley, let's just play like Dallas, running the heck out of the football, keep the ball away from other people for a while, while you continue to build your defense."
Right now, the Falcons have second-year pro Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith as their running back rotation after Steven Jackson was released and Jacquizz Rodgers signed with the Chicago Bears. The Falcons have placed their confidence in Freeman. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan stressed that he believed Freeman could be a workhorse for the Falcons in 2015, but is Gurley the better move? The former Georgia star is still recovering from an ACL tear, but having Freeman on the roster means he could take his time to heal.
While the Falcons mull the idea over of selecting Gurley in the first round, they are also eyeing wide receivers in potentially the second or third round. With Julio Jones being the only receiver under 30, the Falcons need to get younger at the position. According to NFL.com, the Falcons have a meeting set up with Philip Dorsett who could be one of the fastest receivers in the draft while also eyeing options like Kevin White, DeVante Parker and Chris Conley depending on how the draft plays out.