Atlanta, GA

Falcons draft an EDGE in Mel Kiper’s first 2023 NFL mock draft

Published

2 years ago

January 29, 2023

Falcons draft an EDGE in Mel Kiper’s first 2023 NFL mock draft

The Atlanta Falcons lastly discovered their Dean Pees substitute in late January, bringing aboard line of defense specialist Ryan Nielsen from New Orleans. There is no such thing as a query that Nielsen seemed on the present roster and stated he might use a big expertise infusion throughout the road. He’s working with Grady Jarrett, however will in any other case be anticipated to teach up the likes of Arnold Ebiketie, DeAngelo Malone and Ta’Quon Graham into larger contributors.

Even when Nielsen works magic with these gamers, the Falcons nonetheless want lots of extra contributors. The Falcons have some expertise, however the most effective traces within the league exhibits the expertise and the depth is simply not there even when all of the younger gamers hit their peak.

Maybe Mel Kiper, ESPN’s longest-tenured draft analyst, seemed on the roster and got here to the identical conclusion. Even a less-detailed reviewed would discover Atlanta on the backside of the league in sacks for years.

Kiper has the Falcons grabbing Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy.

The Falcons had simply 21 sacks this season, which ranked thirty first within the league, they usually have been led by Grady Jarrett’s six. Veteran edge rusher Lorenzo Carter added 4, whereas rookie second-round choose Arnold Ebiketie had 2.5. No different participant had greater than two. They need to get higher alongside the entrance seven. That would begin right here with Murphy, a whole defender who had 17.5 sacks in three seasons at Clemson. He might even kick inside to sort out on passing downs.

Kiper’s mock performs out a bit uniquely. First, he has 4 quarterbacks going within the first 9 picks: C.J. Stroud at 2 to the Texans, Bryce Younger at 4 to the Colts, Will Levis at 5 to Seattle, and Anthony Richardson at 9 to Carolina. Kiper explains that he’s not seeing Atlanta going with a quarterback for the time being, however it’s attention-grabbing he has lots value high picks.

This draft analyst had the identical thought as one other, as Daniel Jeremiah had the Falcons nabbing Lukas Van Ness, with Myles Murphy falling a couple of spots later.

Why is Myles Murphy? He’s anticipated to measure about 6-foot-5, 275-pounds on the mix and may take a look at fairly properly. Clearly, practically all of the gamers mocked within the high 10 shall be spectacular. Myles is not any exception, with some good athleticism, velocity, properly rounded in each dashing the passer and the run sport, and loads of cross rush strikes.

He seems to be like an instantaneous starter that would flourish beneath the correct teaching however you’d have appreciated to see extra on the stat sheet. I need Will Anderson, Jr. numbers, not ones much like a non-starter like Van Ness. In fact, perhaps I’m simply endlessly skeptical of Clemson cross rushers?

Wanting on the potential EDGE gamers out there round Atlanta’s spot, I believe we’re falling nearer right into a bucket of comparable skills, with the final word choose relying on teaching choice. The mix might differentiate these gamers a bit, however the Falcons at the very least ought to have their choose of lots of guys with good resumes and never a lot to be involved with.

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Atlanta, GA

Falcons hire former Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator

Published

1 hour ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Falcons hire former Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator

The Atlanta Falcons have decided on their next defensive coordinator after making a change just one year into Raheem Morris’ reign as head coach.

Former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was hired by the Falcons for the role, the team announced Saturday.

Ulbrich, 47, took over the Jets’ top job after coach Robert Saleh was fired following a 2-3 start to the season. He compiled a 3-9 mark as the Jets extended their NFL-high postseason drought to 14 seasons.

Prior to stepping in for the Jets, Ulbrich had been a highly regarded defensive coordinator. His units finished in the top four in yards allowed in the last three seasons, though the Jets ranked 20th in scoring in 2024.

Ulbrich returns to Atlanta after serving as an assistant for the organization from 2015-20, including a stint as defensive coordinator when Morris was promoted to interim head coach following Dan Quinn’s firing. With Morris back at the helm after earning the full-time role last offseason, the two coaching figures are teaming back up once again.

The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake after an 8-9 season in which the team lost its inside track on the NFC South crown late in the year. The longstanding pass-rush issues again proved to be particularly problematic, with the defense ranking 31st in sacks with 31 on the year.

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Atlanta, GA

Police investigating incident at northeast Atlanta apartment building

Published

9 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Police investigating incident at northeast Atlanta apartment building

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Several police vehicles were seen at a northeast Atlanta apartment building on Saturday morning.

Atlanta police were called to Helios off Cheshire Bridge Road NE at around 8 a.m. Atlanta News First crews saw more than five patrol cars at the scene, alongside a Grady Memorial Hospital vehicle.

The details of the incident and investigation are currently unknown.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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Atlanta, GA

Tatum and the Celtics host conference foe Atlanta

Published

17 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Tatum and the Celtics host conference foe Atlanta

Associated Press

Atlanta Hawks (21-19, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (29-12, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -11; over/under is 235

BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics host Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks in Eastern Conference action.

The Celtics are 23-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks eighth in the league with 33.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Tatum averaging 8.6.

The Hawks have gone 14-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta has a 10-12 record in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Celtics score 117.6 points per game, 1.5 fewer points than the 119.1 the Hawks allow. The Hawks average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 more makes per game than the Celtics allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tatum is averaging 27.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Celtics.

Young is averaging 23.1 points and 11.9 assists for the Hawks.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 111.1 points, 43.5 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 7.4 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.3 points per game.

Hawks: 6-4, averaging 119.5 points, 43.8 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 10.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.4 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: None listed.

Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher: out (thigh), Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Trae Young: day to day (rib), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Cody Zeller: out (personal), De’Andre Hunter: day to day (foot).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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