FLOWERY BRANCH — After falling to trade back into the first round, the Falcons selected two players for the defensive front in the second and third rounds of the NFL draft Friday.
The Falcons traded up in the second round to draft former Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro and then selected Washington outside linebacker Bralen Trice in the third round (74th overall).
“We came out with two players that we really like,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. “They are really going thelp our front seven.”
The Falcons traded up eight spots with the Cardinals to draft Orhorhoro with the selection at No. 35. The Falcons gave the Cardinals the 43rd overall pick and their third-round pick (79th) that they had picked up in the Calvin Ridley trade. The Falcons receive a sixth-round pick (186th overall).
“It means a lot,” Orhorhoro said of the Falcons of trading up to get him. “It means that they really wanted me, and they really saw something in me. I can’t let them down. I’ll do everything in my will power not to let them down.”
Orhorhoro, who’s 6-foot-4 and 294 pounds, was named third-team All-ACC last season. He started 12 games and made 25 tackles, eight tackles for loss and had five sacks. He immigrated from Nigeria to London when he was 2 years old and then to Detroit when he was 8 years old.
“He’s a big, powerful, athletic man,” Fontenot said. “Excellent skill set. Versatile up front. Plays the run. Plays the pass. Excellent motor.”
Orhorhoro played some tackle and end for the Tigers. He met with the Falcons at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“I’ll run through a dark alley with you,” Orhorhoro said. “I’m fast, physical and aggressive player.”
Orhorhoro believes that he needs to work on using his hands better and shedding blocks. He met Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett two years ago when he returned to Clemson to speak to the football team.
“He talked to us,” Orhorhoro said. “He dropped some gems and nuggets on us.”
Orhorhoro clearly was on the Falcons’ draft radar.
“I met with them at the combine,” Orhorhoro said. “That’s where I got this hat from. I kept the hat that they gave me from the combine in my car. I got it on my head right now. So, I’m glad I kept it.”
He has been studying the Falcons’ defense.
“Just the way that they run their defense,” Orhorhoro said. “I like their mentality. It’s a place with guys that I can learn from like Grady Jarrett, one of the Clemson all-time greats. It’s just an honor to learn from a guy who’s been in the league for that long. I can’ t wait. If I could do it today, I’d do it right now.”
Orhorhoro believes he can play in the 3-4 scheme.
“I think I’ll fit pretty good,” Orhorhoro said. “They’ve got some vets in there who can take me under their wings. Give me all of the knowledge that they know. So, I think I’ll be in good care right there in Atlanta, not too far from Clemson so I’m familiar with the land.”
He’s not sure if the Falcons will use him a defensive tackle or defensive end.
“We didn’t talk much about that,” Orhorhoro said. “I’m a guy (who) plays all over the board. So, wherever they need me, that’s what I’m going to play at.”
Clemson did not have a coach assigned to Michigan. They contacted Orhorhoro over social media.
“We talked one day, (they) called and extended the offer,” Orhorhoro said. “It was just the easiest decision in my life.”
Orhorhoro was surprised that he so early in the second round. He was hoping to go in the third round. He was the sixth ranked defensive tackle and 71st ranked player overall by the NFLDraftScout.com. He was projected to go in the second or third round.
However, Orhorhoro thought he might go in the first round.
“You’ve got to dream big sometimes,” Orhorhoro said. “I set high goals and high standards for myself. Obviously, it worked out the way it did. Everything happens for a reason.”
Trice is 6-foot-3 and 274 pounds. He led the Huskies with 11. 5 tackles for losses and seven sacks. He played in all 15 games last season.
“Outside linebacker, another versatile player,” Fontenot said. “Tough, instinctive. He can play the run. He can rush the passer. Powerful. Heavy-handed on the edge. Excellent motor. Non-stop motor. Loves the way he playe the game.”
Trice had 18 career sacks for the Huskies, but also was required to drop in coverage.
“Probably like 30 percent,” Trice said about his coverage duties. “That’s the thing, people see me as a pass rusher in terms of power moves and stuff like that. Yeah, that’s my ability, but I was still dropping in coverage.”
Trice believes he can play in coverage.
“I knew everything like the back of my hand,” Trice said. “I can go cover a running back or a receiver, anything you needed. I’m looking forward to being able to do that and rush the passer in the league.”
Trice believes his mentality is what separates him from other pass rushers.
“My mentality, I look at people like (Raiders defensive end) Maxx Crosby,” Trice said. “His effort and his motor is unparalleled. At the end of the day, as a pass rusher, if you have a motor like that, no matter how many times a person tries to block you, there is going to be one time where you get through and get to the quarterback. You put him on the ground or you make it his worst day.”
The Falcons want to improve their pass rush and tried to get back into the first round and had targeted Washington defensive end Laiatu Latu. But they were not able to work any deals.
Fontenot said they were trying to get back in from spots 9-32. So, when Day Two of the draft started, they worked the deal with Arizona to move up and Orhorhoro.
The Falcons now will have five picks Saturday on Day Three of the draft.
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