Despite all of the reports of running back interest heading into the draft, the Atlanta Falcons look poised to draft defense in the first round rather than a skill position player. Last season sacks were practically non-existent for Atlanta and that is something new head coach Dan Quinn is hoping to change. After signing more rotational depth than starters, free agency is where the Falcons are hoping to land that elite pass rusher.
After meeting with all of the top options heading into the draft, the question becomes who do the Atlanta Falcons favor at the position. Quinn has connections with several of the top prospects, but it is one controversial name that continues to pop up. Just a week ago, Shane Ray was considered a top ten pick according to ESPN's Todd McShay. However, rumored wrist surgery and an arrest for marijuana position have many believes Ray's stock is dropping. According to Quinn, Ray remains one of their top options despite the bad press.
"That was why it was important for us to, when you get a chance to connect with a player, not just at the combine, but oftentimes when you get a chance to go to their school or go to their hometown and visit with them, that's [why] those visits are so important," Quinn said, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "So, fortunately for Thomas [Dimitroff] and I, we were able to go to a number of guys', whether it was hometowns or schools, to visit with the guys, and it is such a valuable time as you could imagine. But we felt great about meeting Shane and the guys we did. As we're going through the process we felt good about him."
The Falcons have also looked at both Vic Beasley and Dante Fowler as options. Both players have connections with Quinn and were recruited by the coach while he was working for the University of Florida. It is unclear how many teams are targeting a pass rusher before the Falcons draft at No. 8, but Dimitroff made it clear that a trade up was not out of the question for Atlanta. That might mean they actually favor Beasley or Fowler over Ray.
The running back position will get address by Atlanta, but not until a later round. Despite the reports of interest in Todd Gurley and even a trade for Adrian Peterson, ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports that Tevin Coleman out of Indiana or Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah are actually the intended targets. Both running backs are expected to be available in the second and third rounds.