Speaking With the Enemy (Draft Edition): Atlanta Falcons

Feb 3, 2015; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons new head coach Dan Quinn answers questions at a press conference at the Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike, the Buccaneers who control their destiny on draft day, Atlanta will have to see where the chips fall before their No. 8 pick comes up. In your opinion, what is the best and worst case scenario for the Falcons?

Harrison Nayler: The Falcons come in with a lot of needs and it’s the rare year in which we have our full compliment of picks to address those needs. A pass rusher is the clear consensus choice for our first pick which currently sits at 8, although there’s been plenty of chatter about the Falcons moving up to target Dante Fowler.

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Best case scenario is acquiring a talented pass rusher, such as Randy Gregory, perhaps even acquiring a few more picks in a short trade down and using those to address guard and safety – Ali Marpet and Eric Rowe are some names to look out for in the second round. Worst case is tough, as the fanbase seems split on the trade up. Personally, I’d think worst case would be trading away too much in pursuit of Fowler or even Leonard Williams and having the front office hamstrung by a lack of picks. Flexibility is our friend in this draft.