Falcons take balanced approach during draft
ATLANTA — Arthur Smith’s first draft as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons helped prove he’s taking an even-keeled approach to building the roster.
Sure, the first pick for Smith, the former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, was a tight end.
But after Florida’s Kyle Pitts was the No. 4 overall selection, Smith and new general manager Terry Fontenot made sure to pay attention to their defense as well.
“It’s fun to be a part of it,” Smith said. “… It’s fun to have to get to worry about the whole team.”
The proof came Saturday, when four of the Falcons’ final six picks were defensive players: cornerbacks Darren Hall of San Diego State and Avery Williams of Boise State and defensive linemen Ta’Quon Graham of Texas and Ade Ogundeji of Notre Dame.
Overall, five of Atlanta’s nine picks in the draft came on defense.
“The cool thing about Arthur is that’s his mindset,” Fontenot said of Smith’s balanced emphasis.
The Falcons also drafted Stanford center Drew Dalman in the fourth round and Arizona State wide receiver Frank Darby in the sixth round.
Williams counts as a defensive player, but he is an accomplished return specialist. Smith said Williams also could be given a look on offense.
On Friday, the Falcons targeted an obvious need by making hard-hitting Central Florida safety Richie Grant their second-round pick. Atlanta, faced with salary cap restrictions, lost veteran safeties Ricardo Allen, Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal in free agency.
Versatile offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield of Michigan, who could compete at left guard, was added in the third round.
The Falcons didn’t select a quarterback or running back. Each position needs depth even after the Falcons signed free agent A.J. McCarron to serve as quarterback Matt Ryan’s backup. Former Carolina Panthers backup Mike Davis appears to be a lock to open the season as the starter at running back.
Titans focus on ‘D’
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have completed their extreme makeover of one of the NFL’s worst defenses.
Gone are seven players who started at least three games last season, including three in the secondary to create salary cap space.
The latest changes came in the NFL draft, with the Titans finishing making five of their eight selections on defense, led by first-round selection cornerback Caleb Farley out of Virginia Tech.
“I feel like we’ve got a good mix of all of that on the defensive side,” said general manager Jon Robinson, who made a move for the offense by taking North Dakota State right tackle Dillon Radunz in the second round, Louisville receiver Dez Fitzpatrick in the fourth round and LSU receiver Racey McMath in the sixth round.
The other defensive draftees: Georgia linebacker Monty Rice at No. 92 and Washington cornerback Elijah Molden at No. 100 in the third round, Pittsburgh edge rusher Rashad Weaver at No. 135 in the fourth and Oregon safety Brady Breeze at No. 215 in the sixth.
Robinson said the Titans are looking at what contracts they might be able to restructure if they need more salary cap space.
“We’ll continue to evaluate players that are available players that are on the street that don’t have jobs, or players that do have jobs on other teams that may become available,” Robinson said.