2018 NFL Draft Reset: Falcons working from within

The Atlanta Falcons made it clear that they wanted to retain their own players and get ready to execute a contract extension for quarterback Matt Ryan entering the new league year. So, it was no surprise that they weren't heavily involved in the major spending in free agency. The Falcons added a right guard in Brandon Fusco, a blocking tight end in Logan Paulsen and a special teams player in cornerback Justin Bethel. All were signed to relatively minor deals with Fusco receiving a four-year $12.75 million contract. The Falcons had four players depart during free in agency in defensive tackle Dontari Poe, defensive end Adrian Clayborn, kick returner Andre Roberts and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel. The Falcons have not replaced Poe. They believe the replacements for Clayborn, Gabriel and Roberts are on the roster. Takkarist McKinley, who was selected in the first round of the 2017 draft, will take over Clayborn's snaps at defensive end. The Falcons believe Marvin Hall or Reggie Davis will step forward to replace Gabriel, who hit the jackpot with the Chicago Bears. He signed a three-year, $26 million deal with $14 million guaranteed on March 15. Justin Hardy and Hall will get a chance to replace Roberts as the punt returner and Hardy and Davis will battle for the kickoff return duties. Here is a closer look at where the Falcons are, how they got here and a shot at what they should do with their first pick in the draft. THE BREAKDOWN 2017 finish: 3rd NFC South (10-6) STATISTICS TOTAL OFFENSE: 364.8 (8th) RUSHING: 115.4 (13th) PASSING: 249.4 (8th) TOTAL DEFENSE: 318.4 (9th) RUSHING: 104.1 (9th) PASSING: 214.3 (12th) TEAM NEEDS 1. Defensive tackle: The Falcons' glaring need is at defensive tackle. They need a quick penetrating tackle to pair with Grady Jarrett. He must be stout enough to handle double teams and keep guards from climbing to the second level to wipe out middle linebacker Deion Jones. Poe played 868 defensive snaps, the second highest on the team behind Jarrett's 870 last season. He also played eight snaps on offense. He signed a three-year, $28 million deal with a $10 million signing bonus on March 16 with Carolina. A total of $13.3 million of the deal is guaranteed. 2. Fullback: The Falcons elected to re-sign Derrick Coleman, a year after losing Patrick DiMarco to the Bills in free agency. They need a pass-catching threat, who can lead block. The team has had to call finesse plays in short-yardage situations and will look to add a battering ram fullback through the draft. 3. Wide receiver: Gabriel didn't provide the same explosive plays he did in 2016 during the team's march to the Super Bowl. He had trouble getting off the line of scrimmage and was not a factor in the red zone. The team is also looking for a returner, so a speed receiver with return ability will likely be selected in this draft. KEY PERSONNEL TRACKER (As of April 6) PLAYERS RE-SIGNED --K Matt Bryant: Potential UFA; $10.5M/3 yrs, $2M SB. --S Kemal Ishmael: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown. --RB Leon McFadden: Potential UFA; $790K/1 yr. --T Austin Pasztor: Potential UFA; $880K/1 yr, $90K SB. --DE Derrick Shelby: FA Falcons; $3.25M/1 yr, $2M SB. --CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson: UFA; $880K/1 yr, $90K SB. PLAYERS ACQUIRED --CB Justin Bethel: UFA Cardinals; $1.75M/1 yr, $400K SB. --G Brandon Fusco: UFA 49ers; $12.75M/3 yrs, $5.5M guaranteed ($1M injury only at signing, $2.25M SB. --TE Logan Paulsen: UFA 49ers; $1.005M/1 yr, $200K guaranteed/$90K SB. PLAYERS LOST --DE Adrian Clayborn: UFA Patriots; $10M/2 yrs, $5.5M guaranteed/$4M SB. --WR Taylor Gabriel: UFA Bears; $26M/4 yrs, $14M guaranteed/$4M SB. --DT Dontari Poe: UFA Panthers; $28M/3 yrs, $13.3M guaranteed (2.5M injury only at time of signing, $10M SB). Option year ($8.5M) in 2020. $500K weight bonus each year for four separate weigh-ins includes in WO bonus of $600K, $900K, $900K. --WR/KR Andre Roberts: UFA Jets; $1.005M/1 yr, $90K SB. --TE Levine Toilolo (released, post-June 1 designation). *NFLDraftScout.com analysts suggest (No. 26 overall) Rob Rang (April 5 mock draft): --Taven Bryan, DL, Florida. The Falcons boast one of the better young defensive tackles in the game in Grady Jarrett but have little besides him on the roster. Jarrett's ability to disrupt from the interior would be that much more effective with a complementary threat like Bryan, whose raw talent likely would intrigue Dan Quinn, a former defensive line coach at Florida. Dane Brugler (April 6 mock draft): --Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida. Cornerback is far down the list of needs on the Falcons' wish list, but Hughes is simply great value at this point. He would give Atlanta an upgrade over nickel Brian Poole and insurance for Desmond Trufant, who has missed time with injury. Agree? Disagree? Still shopping? Based on the team's current status, those are our suggestions for that first pick. To double check or find another candidate see full mocks and ratings at NFLDraftScout.com.