The Falcons came into the offseason with the plan to improve on both the offensive line and the defensive front seven, something that is expected to continue in the draft.
With the sixth overall pick, the Falcons will be in good position to add help at one spot or the other although the likelihood that South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney and Buffalo’s Khalil Mack will be off the board makes it more likely that they’ll look for an offensive tackle if they stay put in the first round. Atlanta is dealing with that reality by familiarizing themselves with pass rushers who may be on the board in the second half.
Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports that the team has already met with Boise State’s Demarcus Lawrence and that BYU’s Kyle Van Noy is scheduled for a visit with the team on Wednesday. There’s also a visit scheduled with UCLA’s Anthony Barr, although there are some who expect him to go well before the Falcons are up with the 37th overall pick.
McClure also reports that Auburn’s Dee Ford “seems likely” to visit or work out for the Falcons before the draft and that would add another name to the list of possible additions if it happens. Osi Umenyiora returns after leading the Falcons with 7.5 sacks last season, but Atlanta’s 32 overall sacks were tied for the second-fewest in the league.