Falcons GM comfortable with low profile in draft

"  FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Before the NFL draft began, Falcons general manager ThomasDimitroff knew his team would not create a national buzz.Last year's first pick for Atlanta, receiver Julio Jones atsixth overall, caught everyone's attention.The first selection this year - No. 55 overall - was anoffensive lineman from Wisconsin who can play both center andguard.Dimitroff easily summed up the Falcons' approach.''Let's just get some solid football players who can fit intoroster spots of need,'' Dimitroff said Saturday night.A day after picking guard-center Peter Konz in the second roundand Southern Mississippi offensive tackle Lamar Holmes in thethird, the Falcons fleshed out their draft with a potentialsuccessor to fullback Ovie Mughelli and adding depth to theirdefense.Bradie Ewing, a fifth-round pick from Wisconsin, could replaceMughelli as the starting fullback. The Falcons could decide torelease Mughelli, a respected team leader and nine-year veteran, tocreate room under the NFL salary cap.Seven spots after picking Ewing, Atlanta added Troy pass rusherJonathan Massaquoi in the fifth round. The Falcons choseMississippi State strong safety Charles Mitchell in the middle ofthe sixth round and South Carolina defensive tackle TravianRobertson late in the seventh.Mughelli was named to the Pro Bowl two years ago, but his 2011season ended with a Week 7 knee injury. Despite the many roles heplays on Atlanta's special teams, Mughelli could become expendablebecause Ewing played a similar role at Wisconsin.Atlanta also has Mike Cox on the depth chart at fullback. Coxsigned a two-year contract as a free agent after Mughelli wasinjured. Mughelli's contract this year will count $3.7 millionagainst the NFL salary cap.''I don't want to comment on our financial situation and our capsituation publicly,'' Dimitroff said. ''That's what we discuss backin our offices. Suffice it to say, we feel like this opens upcompetition at the position. We feel like we have three solidfullbacks here that we hope will compete very strongly for thejob.''After walking on at Wisconsin, Ewing became an offensive captainas a senior and contributed heavily to the Badgers' coverage andreturn units on special teams.According to information released by the university, Ewing'sblocks resulted in 30 touchdowns last season. He caught all 28passes targeted to him in his four-year career. He was a Wisconsinteammate of Peter Konz, an offensive lineman drafted by Atlanta inthe second round Friday.''Obviously, drafting me as a fullback, I can block, I cancatch, I can split out as a receiver,'' Ewing said. ''I think it'smy versatility and I'm just excited to get down there.''Massaquoi, a cousin of Cleveland Browns receiver and formerGeorgia standout Mohamed Massaquoi, left Troy after his junioryear. He started 25 games and finished his Trojans career with 19.5sacks.When Atlanta begins its mandatory, three-day mini-camp June 19,Massaquoi will work behind starting ends John Abraham and RayEdwards and compete for snaps with Kroy Biermann and LawrenceSidbury.Massaquoi grew up as a Falcons fan in the Atlanta suburb ofLawrenceville, where he played at Central Gwinnett High School. Hespent the 2008 season at Butler (Kan.) Community College, helpingthe school win a junior college national title.''I have a non-stop motor,'' he said. ''I want to get to thatball no matter the depths of the field, and I believe the AtlantaFalcons see my relentless spirit and how bad I want to get to thequarterback.''Massaquoi hopes to follow in the footsteps of other former Troystandouts that became NFL stars.''With them producing Osi Umenyiora, DeMarcus Ware and now me,hopefully I can be put into that conversation of our powerfultradition,'' Massaquoi said. ''Only time will tell.''The Falcons, who will work under new defensive coordinator MikeNolan this season, upgraded their secondary Wednesday by tradingfor cornerback Asante Samuel.The only starter not returning from last year's defense ismiddle linebacker Curtis Lofton, who signed with New Orleans.Mitchell, who graduated in December, played in all 50 games ofhis career and was a senior team captain with Mississippi State. Helikely will compete with reserve safety Shann Schillinger for aroster spot, but must show Atlanta coaches that he can contributeheavily on special teams.Mitchell credits his success at safety with understanding how towatch film and break down opponents' strengths and weaknesses.''I'm a pretty physical guy,'' he said. ''I pride myself onmaking tackles and I always try to be around the ball.''Robertson, a compensatory pick, was the 242nd player chosen. Hewill compete with Peria Jerry, Atlanta's first-round pick from2009, and Vance Walker, a former undrafted free agent, for snapsbehind starting defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux and CoreyPeters.Atlanta's defense finished 18th in points allowed and 20th intotal yards last season."