Who are the Falcons looking at in the run-up to the 2019

NFL Draft?"Believe it or not Julio Jones Jersey 2019 , we’re edging closer to draft season. The Falcons are going to be extremely active with their nine selections, so it’ll be worth keeping a keen eye out for who they’re keeping a keen eye on. The standard caveats apply here: The Falcons having interest in a prospect does not mean they’ll be selected, as they only took two or so of the guys on a similar list a year ago (Isaiah Oliver, Foye Oluokun). That means if you love or hate a player on this list, you needn’t necessarily be overjoyed or panicked just yet. Between our list and the always reliable Aaron Freeman’s at FalcFans, you should be well-covered for prospect visits and interest the rest of the way. I’ll add in analysis as interesting names are revealed.Quick primer on format: We’ll have position, name, college, and where the Falcons reportedly checked them out, linked with the source. OffenseQB Jordan Ta’amu, Ole Miss (Senior Bowl) QB Easton Stick, North Dakota State (East-West Shrine Game)RB Clinton Lynch, Georgia Tech (Local Pro Day) RB Keion Davis, Marshall (Local Pro Day) WR Jesper Horstead, Princeton (East-West Shrine Game)WR David Sills, West Virginia (Senior Bowl) WR Cody Thompson, Toledo (East-West Shrine Game)WR KeeSean Johnson, Fresno State (East-West Shrine Game) WR Terry Godwin, Georgia (East-West Shrine Game)WR Riley Ridley, Georgia (Combine, Local Pro Day)WR Mecole Hardman, Georgia (Combine, Local Pro Day) WR Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State (Combine) WR Trey Lansman, Nebraska (Meeting/Workout) WR Darius Slayton, Auburn (Local Pro Day)WR Shannon Smith, West Georgia (Local Pro Day) WR Justin Sumpter, Kennesaw St. (Local Pro Day) TE Kano Dillon, Oregon (East-West Shrine Game)TE Matt Sokol, Michigan State (East-West Shrine Game)TE Isaac Nauta, Georgia (Combine) OT Tytus Howard, Alabama State (Senior Bowl, second meeting)OT Martez Ivey Black Devonta Freeman Jersey , Florida (East-West Shrine Game) OT Trey Pipkins, Sioux Falls (East-West Shrine Game)OT Ryan Pope, San Diego State (East-West Shrine Game) OT Brian Wallace, Arkansas (East-West Shrine Game) OT Andre Dillard, Washington (Combine) OT Micah Hyatt, Clemson (Combine, informal meeting) OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida (Combine, Meeting/Workout) OT Cody Ford, Oklahoma (Combine) OT Caleb McGary, Washington (Meeting/Workout)OG Josh Miles, Morgan State (East-West Shrine Game) OG Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama (Combine) C Nick Allegretti, Illinois (East-West Shrine Game)C Lamont Gaillard, Georgia (Combine, uncertain meeting) DefenseDE John Cominsky, Charleston (Senior Bowl) DE Brian Burns, Florida State (Combine) DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson (Combine) DE L.J. Collier, Texas Christian University (Combine) DE Chase Winovich, Michigan (Met with team) DE Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan (Met with team, not top 30)DT Ed Oliver, Houston (Combine, second meeting) DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson (Combine, second meeting) DT Austin Bryant, Clemson (Combine) DT Dre’mont Jones, Ohio State (Combine) DT Michael Dogbe, Temple (Meeting/Workout)DL Rashan Gary, Michigan (Combine) DL Jonathan Ledbetter, Georgia (Combine) DL Christian Wilkins, Clemson (Combine Devonta Freeman Jersey 2019 , informal)DL Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan (Team Visit)DL Desmond Branch, Georgia Tech (Local Pro Day) LB De’Andre Walker, Georgia (Combine) LB Deonte Roberts, Rutgers (Meeting/Workout) LB Darius Harris, MTSU (Team Visit) LB Bryson Allen-Williams, South Carolina (Local Pro Day) S Parker Baldwin, San Diego State University (Meeting/Workout)S Davanta Reynolds, North Carolina Central (Local Pro Day) S Ridwan Issahaku, TCU (Local Pro Day) CB Jimmy Moreland, James Madison (East-West Shrine Game)CB Isaiah Johnson, Houston (Workout) CB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt (Team Visit) CB Justin Layne, Michigan State (Team Visit) CB Ken Webster, Mississippi (Local Pro Day) Special TeamsP Tyler Newsome, Notre Dame (Workout) P Ian Berryman, Western Carolina (Local Pro Day)Names to Watch OT Tytus Howard, Alabama State: Genuinely impressive at the Senior Bowl, Howard is a surprisingly nimble big man who just happens to play tackle, a position where the Falcons have a genuine long-term need. Drafting Howard to develop for a year or two while Ty Sambrailo holds down the position in the short-term would be a very smart play. C Nick Allegretti, Illinois: He fits the profile from the community involvement standpoint, as he was extremely active in helping out local organizations in college, and offers solid athleticism, movement and production as a mainstay on Illinois’s line. He’d go late or as a priority undrafted free agent, more than likely, but he’s a name to file away. WR David Sills, West Virginia: Sills enjoyed an absurdly productive college career, putting up back-to-back years of 60ish receptions, 980ish yards, and 18 and 15 touchdowns in his final two seasons. He’s big and pretty fast, and the Falcons could consider him in the mid-to-late rounds to fill the hole left by Justin Hardy, who is expected to reach free agency. CB Jimmy Moreland, James Madison: Moreland is a ballhawk Black Matt Ryan Jersey , pure and simple, with terrific speed and instincts. He had 18 picks in college and returned six for touchdowns, and as a developmental fourth or fifth cornerback for this football team, he’d be a fun selection. CB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt: Williams offers physicality, a comfort level with pressure coverage, and the kind of length that comes with being 6’3” and over 200 pounds. He tackles well, he’s glue against all but the shiftiest receivers, and plays the ball well, but he’s also a bit penalty-prone and plays too often with his back to the ball. If he could iron some of those issues out, Williams is a compelling long-term starter with Dan Quinn’s ideal size.The problem, as it stands, is that Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver also profile to play best outside, meaning Williams isn’t an ideal fit with the current roster.Great things which aren’t as good as the Falcons’ new season Rejoice, my friends who are just as in love with the sport of football as I am! Football season is finally upon us once again.We’ve had to bear through the famine of the NFL dead period in between the April draft and late-July training camp. We’ve sat through the Georgia heat and humidity in the middle of that training camp to watch the team practice, because that was the first taste of football we had since the brisk days of January.When the preseason rolled around, we all pretended to be happy about it, but let’s face it — the preseason sucks. It’s football that doesn’t matter, where more bad can happen than good because of injuries. Dan Quinn realizes this, and that’s why we didn’t see Devonta Freeman or Julio Jones at all this preseason.But now, all of that is finally behind us. We’ve made it to the light at the end of the tunnel, and our reward is that we get to be accompanied by the game of football for the next 17+ Sunday afternoons. The Atlanta Falcons start to play meaningful football this Thursday, Sept. 6, against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.Back in May, I wrote out a list of sucky things better than the NFL dead period. Today, I’ll present you with something a bit more positive — a list of great things that aren’t quite as good as the NFL season. Let’s just call it a sequel.Autumn weather when the humidity goes away and the days become a bit coolerGetting to go home from work early on a FridayThree-day weekendsHaving a song stuck in your head forever and then finally remembering what it isBaseball seasonBasketball seasonThe 2016 Atlanta Falcons offenseThe 2017 Atlanta Falcons defenseThe smell of freshly cut grassWhen you’re a kid and you finally get that update on the news that your school is closing down the next day because of snow (I know, that’s more of a southern thing)A fresh chicken biscuit from Chick-Fil-A in the morningWhen you’re falling asleep and someone throws a blanket around youA deep-tissue massageA cold drink on a hot summer dayThose first few seconds of bliss and excitement after your song comes on in the car and you just realized that it came on.Jamming out to a song on full blast in the car with the squadEating Doritos while watching the Super BowlSeasons 4-9 of “The Simpsons”Being in line and thinking that you’re about to wait for a long time and then it starts moving quicklyLemon pepper wingsFinding out someone has gum when you really need someA sweet gym pump right before going outPlaying with your dog or cat (we love both around here)Shutting someone up in an online argument when they disrespect Matt RyanHaving unwanted plans with someone and them canceling before you doA full tank of gasFresh morning coffeeWearing a comfortable sweater or hoodie on a cold dayReally needing a writing utensil and then randomly finding a pencil/pen on the ground (note: This never happens. You only find that pen/pencil when you don’t really need it)Having an exhausting day and instantly falling asleep as soon as your head touches the pillow in bedWhen your birthday comes and you wake up to a bunch of “Happy Birthday!” texts from your friends, family and loved onesWhen your phone is fully chargedBuying something from the vending machine and unexpectedly getting two things for the price of oneFinding a $20 bill in your jeansGetting to a packed parking lot right as a car is leaving and vacating a solitary parking spotThe feeling of confidence after a fresh haircutWe’ve finally made it, my friends. Let’s now enjoy this wonderful time from September through January because it always flies by way too quickly. I hope your days in football season are blissful, and that the Falcons have a wonderful season where they make all of us proud.What are some great things which you feel aren’t as good as football season?