News: BTB: BTB Community Mock Draft No. 6: Atlanta Toes The Line

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Our community mock continues with the Atlanta Falcons on the clock!

The 2014 BTB Community Draft continues!

This is our favorite opportunity to interact with our community and allow them some front-page limelight, while simultaneously getting our first in-depth look at several candidates for the draft's first round.

This will be much more than just one community member's idea of how to help out their assigned teams. After each selection is forwarded to me, I will gather all of the pertinent information about this prospect from some of the internet's best draft resources. We will try to highlight the profile's best and worst traits, so that our reader's are highly educated come May 8th when these guys names are called.

To keep things simple, no trades are allowed; I think for a one round exercise that does little to actually project how things are going to turn out. One GM, one team, one pick. Let's get it on!

Draft Pick # 6

Team Name: Atlanta Falcons

GM: mario.ventura.397

Selection: (OT) Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
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Why the pick:

This offseason the Falcons did a lot more to address the DL then the OL, with the additions of big nose tackle Paul Soliai and run-stuffing defensive end Tyson Jackson up front. Add newly re-signed Jonathan Babineaux and Corey Peters to the mix and you have a formidable rotation up front. Even with those additions there is still a need for a pass rusher and the addition of one from this year's draft would solidify that DL and you can never have too many good DL. However, the OL needs new blood just as much as the DL, maybe even more. This offseason they did add guard Jon Asamoah, but are still in need to upgrade the rest of the line and protecting Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the Falcons Offence.

This draft is deep for DL and OL which is a good thing for the Falcons because their 2 main needs are a pass rusher and OL, with TE and Safety being their #3 and #4 needs. The Falcons are in love with Clowney and if he were to drop to #6 it would be an easy pick for them. However, in a more realistic scenario, Atlanta would trade up for him, if he fell a couple spots. In continuing with pass rushers, OLB Mack would be a great consolation prize with the #6 pick on draft day. Both Clowney and Mack would be the best player available and also fills a major need for the Falcons. In the event that all four of Clowney, Robinson, Mack and Matthews are gone, I would look for a trade down scenario for OLB Barr, TE Ebron or OL Lewan.


Now we will get into my choice for this mock draft. Since we are not allowed to trade up or down and both Clowney and Mack gone, I have chosen, OT Jake Matthews. On my board he is the best player available and also fills a major need. Matthews is just too good to pass up, he'd start instantly and would be a major upgrade for the OL. Matthews is quick off the snap and uses his long, strong arms and good mobility to control his opponents when pass blocking and is a terrific run blocker. Though athletic enough to surprise defenders with an occasional chop block or slipping out to the second level to nail a linebacker, he's at his best simply driving defensive ends off the ball and creating lanes. Last season, Lamar Holmes and Sam Baker failed to protect Matt Ryan's blind side. So with Clowney, Robinson and Mack off the board the Atlanta Falcons with the #6 pick jog up to the podium and select their future LT for many years to come, Jake Matthews!!!

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HIGH PRIORITY TEAM NEEDS (lower number indicates higher priority) according to Drafttek.com

-- Threat Level Red (priority 1-2): None

-- Threat Level Orange (priority 3-4): 3-4 Outside Linebacker, Corner, Strong Safety, 3-4 Strongside Backer

-- Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6): 3-4 Defensive Tackle, 3-4 Defensive End, Feature Back, Right Tackle, Tight End, Free Safety, Center, Guard, Quarterback, COP Back, Feature Receiver, Speed Receiver,

-- Threat Level Green (priority 9): Left Tackle, 3-4 Will Inside Backer

-- Drafttek.com ranked #3 Overall, #1 at the position

-- Russ Lande, National Football Post: #6 Overall, #3 at the position

Jake is a fourth year senior and a four year starter at tackle. He played right tackle his entire career until moving to left tackle in the spring when Luke Joeckel left for the NFL. Matthews is the son of NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews and is one steady football player. He has a classic NFL tackle build at about 6'5" - 310 with the frame to carry 320 if he desired. He is even cut with long arms. Playing in a fast paced spread offense he is in excellent condition.

He usually lines up in a 2 point stance. The only time I have seen him get into a 3 point stance is when they line up in a short yardage situation. Regardless of the stance he is in, he gets off the ball very quickly and stays low. He is a natural bender who is always in good football position. He is very athletic with a very good base and outstanding balance. In the run game, he is strong and explosive on contact and consistently gets movement. He easily gets to the second level and has no problem adjusting to movement. He is used to pull a lot and shows he can play in space like an athletic guard. In pass protection he sets quickly and is very patient. He is alert to stunts and blitzes and he is consistent. He shows very good mirror ability and reacts to moves very well. He has the lateral agility to stop wide speed and anchors as well as any tackle I have ever seen. Matthews is an excellent technician with very good hand use. He has a strong punch and excellent hand placement. Matthews is an excellent prospect.
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-- CBSSports.com ranked #5 overall, #2 at the position

-- DraftInsider.Net ranked #2 overall, #1 at the position

-- OptimumScouting.com ranked #5 overall, #2 at the position

-- DraftCountdown ranked #2 overall, #1 at the position

-- Scout.com ranked #5 overall, #2 at the position

-- Mike Mayock ranked #2 at the position

-- Josh Norris ranked #5 overall, #1 at the position

-- NFLDraftScout.com profile (Rob Rang):

STRENGTHS:

Matthews is quick off the snap and uses his long, strong arms and good mobility to control his opponents when pass blocking. While perhaps not an elite athlete, he plays with the technique and tenacity to make his father proud, controlling opponents with good initial quickness, excellent knee bend and balance and terrific upper-body strength. Matthews is a terrific run blocker. Though athletic enough to surprise defenders with an occasional chop block or slipping out to the second level to nail a linebacker, he's at his best simply driving defensive ends off the ball and creating lanes for A&M's running backs to slice through. Once he gets his hands on his opponent, he exhibits an ability to dictate the matchup. Strong lower-half drive and displays a good understanding of leverage when he can establish low position against thicker defenders.

WEAKNESSES:

Matthews can get himself in trouble when he stops moving his feet and his lack of elite foot speed and balance may limit just how high he can go on draft day. At times, he'll bend his arms and lock his knees when opposing a strong bull-rush and appears "light" occasionally in power-on-power situations.
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'13 Jake Matthews vs Missouri​

'13 Jake Matthews vs Alabama​

Previous Picks: Houston, Jadeveon Clowney,
St Louis Rams, Greg Robinson,
Jacksonville Jaguars, Johnny Manziel,
Cleveland Browns, Blake Bortles,
Atlanta Falcons, Khalil Mack​

Poll
Do you agree with this pick for the Falcons?

• Yes, perfect fit... get it done GM!
• I'm cool with it, but if they had only taken...
• No, no, no, no, NO! STOP!

7 votes | Results

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