Falcons 2020 Draft & Free Agency: Pass Rush and Safety in the mix

[HMFFL]

Austin Hooper srayijg or is our cap situation going to show him the door? I personally hope we keep him. Two seasons ago I hated how we used him. This season we used him as a focal point on offense and he proved his value.

___________________

Speaking Monday, impending free agent Austin Hooper said he was open to re-signing with the Falcons, but that he "hasn't received an offer yet."

SOURCE: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dec 30, 2019, 12:25 PM ET




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[HMFFL]

Another frustrating, disappointing and stuipd season for Falcons' fans, and even extra frustrating and stupid with the selfish performance from the players for not tanking for Chase Young

Matt Ryan has Julio but what he really needs is a JJ Watt level player on the defensive side, and that easily could have been Chase!

But with that said, I'm starting to really like Curtis Weaver at #13. Weaver is projected to be a late first round pick but I think the closer we get to the draft and more GMs watch film on him and see his combine number, he will probably shoot up to a mid first round pick.

Weaver reminds me of Neil Smith or Patrick Kerney. Average athleticism and speed, but high motor and good technique. Unless Epenesa falls to 13, I have Weaver as #1 on my board with Isaiah Simmons as a close second.

We certainly turned things around after a brutal first half to the season. I also wanted Chase Young. Now, we sit in the middle of the teams.

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[HMFFL]

First mock after the end of regular season:

2020 NFL Mock Draft

16. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa



Owner Arthur Blank made the decision to bring back general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn despite the team’s slow start to the season: a testament to their work down the stretch. Now they must evaluate the roster to fix what has kept the Falcons out of contention since their Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots.

From the outside looking in, a major issue in Atlanta is the lack of a pass rush. Given Quinn’s background as a defensive coordinator, more was expected. Vic Beasley Jr. is set to hit free agency and hasn’t lived up to his draft stock as 2015’s No. 8 overall selection, so it makes sense to attack the board with A.J. Epenesa available.

Epenesa enjoyed two amazing seasons at Iowa, where his 6’6”, 280-pound frame was almost impossible for Big Ten offensive tackles to stop. He doesn’t have the speed of Beasley or Takkarist McKinley, but he brings a power game that will pair nicely next to Grady Jarrett as the Falcons re-tool their defensive line.

Bleacher Report

If I see him being mentioned in more mock drafts for us I will pay closer attention to him at the combine. I just hope we fills the holes, stay healthy, and draft kids from big schools. I tired of the small school talent that once we draft them they disappear.

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[Jamaaliver]

Austin Hooper staying or is our cap situation going to show him the door? I personally hope we keep him. Two seasons ago I hated how we used him. This season we used him as a focal point on offense and he proved his value.

Considering we declined to trade him at the deadline, we'd better do what we can to keep him.

Otherwise, he becomes a massively wasted asset.

[HMFFL]

Georgia RB D’Andre Swift and the Falcons would be an ideal match in the NFL Draft

https://www.google.com/amp/s/clutchpoints.com/georgia-rb-dandre-swift-and-the-falcons-would-be-an-ideal-match-in-the-nfl-draft/amp/

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[HMFFL]

Devonta Freeman on future: ‘I know I can play football’

Releasing or trading the veteran RB would save the team approximately $3.5 million in 2020. Freeman has heard the rumors, but he remains confident that he can still play the game at a high level — per The Athletic’s Jason Butt: https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/30/atlanta-falcons-rb-devonta-freeman-on-future-i-know-i-can-play-football/amp/


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[HMFFL]

Matt Ryan was sacked 48 times this season. That's a career high. Last season 44 times.


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[atlantabbq99]

First mock after the end of regular season:

2020 NFL Mock Draft

16. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa



Owner Arthur Blank made the decision to bring back general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn despite the team’s slow start to the season: a testament to their work down the stretch. Now they must evaluate the roster to fix what has kept the Falcons out of contention since their Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots.

From the outside looking in, a major issue in Atlanta is the lack of a pass rush. Given Quinn’s background as a defensive coordinator, more was expected. Vic Beasley Jr. is set to hit free agency and hasn’t lived up to his draft stock as 2015’s No. 8 overall selection, so it makes sense to attack the board with A.J. Epenesa available.

Epenesa enjoyed two amazing seasons at Iowa, where his 6’6”, 280-pound frame was almost impossible for Big Ten offensive tackles to stop. He doesn’t have the speed of Beasley or Takkarist McKinley, but he brings a power game that will pair nicely next to Grady Jarrett as the Falcons re-tool their defensive line.

Bleacher Report

I don't think Epenesa falls to the Falcons, but I hope he does. Epenesa reminds me of Danielle Hunter or one of the Bosa brothers.

[atlantabbq99]

Matt Ryan was sacked 48 times this season. That's a career high. Last season 44 times.


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I'm not surprised that the O line performed so poorly this year. Only because I know it usually takes rookie O linemen 1 or 2 years of experience before they become productive.

[HMFFL]

How deep are the Falcons willing to cut in the name of cap space?


Keanu Neal, which would save $6.466 million
Desmond Trufant, which would save $4.95 million
Allen Bailey, which would save $4.5 million
Ty Sambrailo, which would save $3.75 million
Devonta Freeman, which would save $3.5 million
Ricardo Allen, which would save $3.125 million
Luke Stocker, which would save $2.6 million
Matt Schaub, which would save $2 million
Takk McKinley, which would save $1.2 million

https://www.thefalcoholic.com/platform/amp/2019/12/31/21043736/how-deep-are-the-falcons-willing-to-cut-in-the-name-of-cap-space-alex-mack-allen-bailey


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[atlantabbq99]

How deep are the Falcons willing to cut in the name of cap space?


Keanu Neal, which would save $6.466 million
Desmond Trufant, which would save $4.95 million
Allen Bailey, which would save $4.5 million
Ty Sambrailo, which would save $3.75 million
Devonta Freeman, which would save $3.5 million
Ricardo Allen, which would save $3.125 million
Luke Stocker, which would save $2.6 million
Matt Schaub, which would save $2 million
Takk McKinley, which would save $1.2 million

https://www.thefalcoholic.com/platform/amp/2019/12/31/21043736/how-deep-are-the-falcons-willing-to-cut-in-the-name-of-cap-space-alex-mack-allen-bailey


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I would cut everybody except for Takk and Sambrailo.

Neal is a pro bowl talent but that doesn't matter if you are always riding the bench.

I would try to trade Freemen for a 3rd or 4th round pick. Maybe Ricardo can also get a pick in a trade?

[atlantabbq99]

Watching the Saints get eliminated from the playoffs was nice. What would have been nicer is seeing the Saints, Panthers, and Falcons out of the playoffs but the Falcons with up coming opportunity to draft Chase Young.

[HMFFL]

Watching the Saints get eliminated from the playoffs was nice. What would have been nicer is seeing the Saints, Panthers, and Falcons out of the playoffs but the Falcons with up coming opportunity to draft Chase Young.

Vikings DE credits Falcons for providing blueprint on stopping Saints

https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2020/01/05/atlanta-falcons-minnesota-vikings-danielle-hunter-new-orleans-saints-nfl/amp/

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[HMFFL]

4 CB options for the Falcons in the 2020 NFL Draft


Paulson Adebo — Stanford

2019 Stats: 33 tackles, 4 INTs, 10 passes defended
Projection: Round 1

Bryce Hall — Virginia


2019 Stats: 20 combined tackles, 4 passes defended, 1 sack
Projection: Rounds 2-3


Jeff Gladney — TCU

2019 Stats: 31 tackles, 1 INT, 14 passes defended, 0.5 sacks
Projection: Rounds 2-3

Troy Pride Jr. — Notre Dame

2019 Stats: 40 tackles, 1 INT, 6 passes defended
Projection: Rounds 2-4


https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2020/01/07/atlanta-falcons-2020-nfl-draft-4-cornerback-options-bryce-hall-troy-pride-paulson-adebo/amp/

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[HMFFL]

I won't be surprised if this happens. I was able to see Hooper perform this season how I wanted us to utilize him last season.

ESPN projects Falcons will let Austin Hooper, De’Vondre Campbell walk

If this comes true, the Falcons are betting on their ability to replace talent cheaply, a difficult bet to get right all the time. https://www.thefalcoholic.com/platform/amp/2020/1/9/21059336/espn-projects-falcons-will-let-austin-hooper-devondre-campbell-walk


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[HMFFL]

We tried reading Vic Beasley and couldn't find a taker. He must go. Hooper can be replaceable even if letting him walk into ideal.

_________________

ESPN.com Atlanta Falcons beat writer Vaughn McClure, believes the Atlanta Falcons are going to let Vic Beasley, De’Vondre Campbell and Austin Hooper walk in free agency.

https://bloggingdirty.com/2020/01/10/atlanta-falcons-monumental-mistake/amp/

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[HMFFL]

Falcons waive Ra'Shede Hageman, Alex Gray

https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-waive-ra-shede-hageman-alex-gray

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[HMFFL]

A.J. Epenesa Scouting Report

Height: 6’6
Weight: 280 pounds
Career stats: 37 career games, 101 total tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 26.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles
Games watched: 2018 vs. Mississippi State, 2018 vs. Nebraska, 2019 vs. Minnesota, 2019 vs. Nebraska, 2019 vs. Michigan

Strengths

Epenesa will enter the 2020 NFL Draft as one of the top pass rushers in the entire draft. If not for Ohio State’s Chase Young, Epenesa would stand alone at the top amongst all pass rushers in this class.

A broad shouldered defender, Epenesa comes equipped with a favorable NFL frame. Epenesa is not the most versatile defensive lineman you would ever come across but at times, Epenesa has been seen rushing the passer from the 3-Tech spot and able to beat opposing guards with ease. One of Epenesa’s best traits is his capability to effectively club away the hands of offensive tackles immediately out of his stance. When Epenesa must counter and disengage from blockers, he has been seen rag-dolling linemen out of his way.

Epenesa has plenty of power in his arsenal and can be a consistent anchor and not playing on his heels. As a run defender, Epenesa is more than capable of setting the edge and not allowing easy run lanes on the boundary. There were a number of times during the 2019 season that he was game planned out of the run game as offenses ran away from him. He will utilize his suitable length to rake away the football if unable to get to the quarterback. Over the last five games of the 2019 season, he totaled eight sacks, by far the best five game stretch of his collegiate career.
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/platform/amp/2020/1/13/21058794/falcons-2020-scouting-report-de-a-j-epenesa-dan-quinn-raheem-morris

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[HMFFL]

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said contract negotiations with Austin Hooper are "trudging along."

"The reality of right now is we are trudging along," Dimitroff said. "After the Super Bowl week, we'll continue to see how we're moving forward. At this point, there's no updates on Austin." The 25-year-old broke out for career-highs in catches (75), receiving yards (787), and touchdowns (6) last season despite being available in only 13 games. His pending contract is expected to average $8-$10 million annually, trumping all others' at his position among a class that includes Hunter Henry, Eric Ebron, and Tyler Eifert.

SOURCE: AtlantaFalcons.com

Jan 22, 2020, 3:50 PM ET




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[Jamaaliver]

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