With The 27th Pick In The 2011 Stampede Blue Community Mock Draft, The Atlanta Falcons Select...

Cameron Heyward - DE, Ohio State

Pick made by fiftycal2004:

Like any team, the Falcons have a plethora of needs. Defensive end is a concern as John Abraham isn't getting any younger and Jamaal Anderson has been ineffective. The receiver corps drops off after Roddy White. Tony Gonzalez is getting older and may well retire if this season is lost due to the lack of a CBA. With Center Todd McClure getting older and the possibility Tyson Clabo could leave in free agency (if/when it returns), the offensive line could also use some attention.

However, when Cameron Heyward, projected as high as 18th in some mock drafts, slips to them, the Falcons pull the trigger and make him the 27th pick in the draft. In Heyward, the Falcons get a very consistent player, 30+ tackles in all 4 years at Ohio State. Though his pass rush skills leave something to be desired, only 15 total sacks in 4 years at OSU, he is strong against the run when lining up at any position outside of nose tackle.

Barring a monster training camp showing, I would look for Heyward to start the season as part of a DE rotation with Anderson and Kroy Biermann. If he progresses well throughout the season, it is not out of the question for him to be the starter by the end of the season.

If Heyward is taken 27th overall, it'll be the first time since 2007 the Falcons have taken a DE in the first round (Jamaal Anderson). Also, he'd be the first DE taken from Ohio State in the first round since 2004, when Will Smith was taken 18th overall by the Saints.

Cameron Heyward Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

The Patriots, and mgrex03 are on the clock...