The Falcons' offseason has already seen some major changes. Bobby Petrino is the new head coach. Mike Vick has been solidified as the Falcons' quarterback with the deal of Matt Schaub to the Texans. The next item on the list: the draft. With 7 picks in the first 4 rounds, the Falcons are in good shape to build their team into a contender this year. Will Ted Ginn become Mike Vick's new target? Will Petrino choose to bring in some of his players from Louisville? Here are Dan Hope's thoughts:

1st round- Pick #8

2nd round- Pick #39

2nd round- Pick #44

3rd round- Pick #75

4th round- Pick #109

4th round- Pick #121

4th round- Pick #133

5th round- Pick #149

6th round- Pick #185

7th round- Pick #244

Lawyer Milloy is still productive, but he is 33, and Chris Crocker is best suited in a backup role, so safety is a position the Falcons should look to address early on, with LaRon Landry a strong possibility in the first round.

The Falcons lost Patrick Kerney in free agency and in 7 seasons, John Abraham has only played a full season 3 times. Who do the Falcons have behind Abraham? Chauncey Davis, Josh Mallard, and Paul Carrington. Defensive end is a clear need and they should not go any further than the 2nd round before addressing it.

Wayne Gandy and Todd Weiner are both aging and Petrino is getting rid of the zone blocking system, so expect the Falcons to bring in some linemen, especially at the offensive tackle position.

Kicker could be addressed at any point in the draft, but the Falcons could go after Mason Crosby in the third or fourth, or wait and go after Justin Medlock or Nick Folk. Drafting a kicker is necessary though, because Michael Koenen was horrendous in his stint kicking field goals last year, and Aaron Elling isn't much better.

The Falcons signed Joe Horn, but Horn is aging, and Michael Jenkins and Roddy White haven't been great. Mike Vick needs a bigtime target which means that a receiver in the first two rounds is a definite possibility.

Ideal Pick: LaRon Landry, S, LSU- The Falcons need a playmaking safety, and Landry is exactly what the Falcons need. If Landry is available for the Falcons' selection at #8, I wouldn't expect the Falcons to pass him up. Don't be surprised if the Falcons talk to the Redskins about potentially moving up to #6 for Landry as well.
Watch out for:
- Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville- With Rod Coleman and Grady Jackson, the Falcons are not in need of a defensive tackle, but Petrino would love to bring in the phenom from Louisville and he may not be able to pass him up.
- Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State- Mike Vick could use a true playmaker to throw to. That's Ted Ginn alright. Ginn has star potential with his extreme speed and agility, and should be very tempting for the Falcons.

Ideal Pick: Justin Blalock, G/T, Texas- Petrino wants to bring in big guys for his line and Blalock is massive. Blalock could fit in at either guard or tackle on the line, and at 39 would be a great value.
Watch out for:
- Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami(FL)- If Merriweather manages to fall this far and the Falcons pass on Landry in the first, then the Falcons shouldn't have to think twice about their pick here. Chances are this won't happen as Merriweather likely will be snagged up by the end of the first, but it's a possibility.
- Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame- Abiamiri would be a nice replacement for Kerney and the Falcons might feel inclined to take him here rather than wait until pick 44 for their defensive end.

Ideal Pick: Abiamiri- The loss of Kerney leaves them in need of bringing in a true pass rusher, and Abiamiri should be able to do that.
Watch out for:
- Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State- If the Falcons pass up on Buckeye Ted Ginn in the first, then Buckeye Anthony Gonzalez might be the receiver on their radar in the second round. Gonzalez is no Ginn, but he would a good target to bring in for Mike Vick who as a mid-2nd rounder might be slightly underrated.
- Arron Sears, T, Tennessee- Like Blalock, Sears is a big guard/tackle hybrid who could catch Coach Petrino's interest.

Ideal Pick: Mason Crosby, K, Colorado- Typically kickers aren't a Day 1 target, but Crosby is one of the best kickers we've seen in the draft in a while. While Aaron Elling could cost them games, Crosby could win them games.
Watch out for:
- Steve Smith, WR, USC- Smith could very well be gone by this point, but if he remains around until the 75th pick, the Falcons should take a look at him.
- Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan- There are a lot of questions on the Falcons' defensive line, so Bazuin could be of interest in the third round.

Ideal Pick: Paul Williams, WR, Fresno State- Williams would be a steal if he falls to Day 2 and would be a great guy to bring in as a target for Vick in the fourth round.
Watch out for: Antonio Johnson, DT, Mississippi State- The Falcons will likely look to bring in a defensive tackle in the third or fourth round if they pass on Okoye, and Johnson could be their guy in the fourth round.

Ideal Pick: Johnson- If Johnson falls to this point, he would be tough to pass up. Johnson has first-day talent, but lack of productivity at the college level could leave him available in the fourth round.
Watch out for: Justin Medlock, K, UCLA- If the Falcons don't draft Mason Crosby in the third round, then it is likely the Falcons will draft Justin Medlock with one of their fourth round picks.

Ideal Pick: Jon Abbate, ILB, Wake Forest- Abbate was a very productive college player and a 2nd-round possibility, but after running a 5+ 40 at the combine, Abbate shouldn't go higher than the 4th round. At this point however, Abbate would be a great guy to take a chance on because he knows how to play, and the Falcons could use an inside linebacker with the loss of Ed Hartwell.
Watch out for: David Clowney, WR, Virginia Tech- A very fast receiver who might be the best player in the draft who was not invited to the combine.

- Nate Harris, ILB, Louisville- Ultimately Petrino likely knows better than anybody if Harris would be a good pick seeing he coached Harris at Louisville.

- Brandon Sharp, S/CB, Louisville- Might not have a true position in the NFL, but could be a very productive dime-type cornerback and Petrino should have a good idea of whether Sharp is worth a pick late in the draft.