With the 27th Pick in the 2011 Dawgs By Nature Mock Draft, the Atlanta Falcons Select...

With the 27th pick in the 2011 Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select...

Brooks Reed, OLB/DE, Arizona

This selection and write-up was made by Clinton Blankenship:

I know many of you just spit out your beverage of choice onto your computer of choice but hear me out. In this mock so far all the top tier offensive tackles, defensive ends, corners and wide receivers have been taken.  Other possibilities, say a Pouncey or Kyle Randolph also have been taken. With all these considerations I came down to looking at Dimitroff’s drafting and player style. A high motor, hard working player, bonus points if he shines at the Senior Bowl (see Weatherspoon, Sean). I was left with five choices in my opinion:  Mark Ingram, Adrian Clayborn, Danny Watkins, Jonathan Baldwin and Brooks Reed. Watkins is the highest rated guard but not a glaring need. Baldwin keeps fluctuating on draft boards but again not a huge need. Ingram is the number one running back and was close to being the pick; however, I think Snelling makes the Falcons feel good backing up Turner.

That leads us to Clayborn and Reed. Clayborn to me reeks of Jamaal Anderson, their bust from 2007. He’s got pretty much the same measurable as Anderson, and the same questions. By process of elimination I ended up with Brooks Reed. He’s got speed, is almost the exact size of John Abraham, so he could possibly play down as defensive end. With his speed you could have him play outside linebacker since Mike Peterson I believe is a free agent.  This also allows him to be a pass rusher on throwing downs and giving the older Abraham some rest. I believe whoever winds up drafting this kid is getting a steal at the end of the first round; maybe not as big as the Clay Matthews steal, but in the same territory.

I don't think too many people will be spitting their beverages out after seeing this pick; recent reports seem to have Reed creeping into the end of the first round. I think the deliberation process and the ultimate selection was good. Position wise, I think Matt Ryan could really use another receiver to improve offensive production, but they can still address that in the next round.

The New England Patriots are back on the clock next (email will be sent to Onyx Lightning).