Nov 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) reacts with wide receiver Roddy White (84) and tight end Levine Toilolo (80) after catching a touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Looking through the depth chart, I believe there are positions which could use some attention. But, as someone who has followed the team for quite some time, what do you think are the pivotal areas that need attention before training camp?
HN: There are three glaring holes in the team right now – we don’t appear to have a long term starting calibre player at the DE LEO role, at FS or at LG. The Falcons recently parted with long term guard Justin Blalock, mainly due to his poor fit in a zone blocking scheme, so a second or third day pick at guard seems likely. We simply must take an edge rusher in the first round.
As for slightly less obvious needs, the team certainly needs to address depth in the linebacking corps, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add another WR as a long term replacement for Roddy White. The team has a lot of needs, mostly around depth, but there is a lot of young talent that the previous coaching staff seemed reluctant to involve, so it will be interested to see what hidden talent there is on the roster that this coaching staff can get a lot out of.