"As our pre-draft coverage rolls on White Trey Burton Jerseys , it’s time once again to look at Falcons draft tendencies with Dan Quinn as the head coach of the team. Today, I want to look at the positional preferences this team has shown with Quinn calling the shots, because they may help us suss out where the Falcons are going in the draft ahead. WR 4CB 4LB 4RB 3DT 2DE 2G 2TE 2S 1OT 1Unlike with schools, where the Falcons have a clear LSU bias and not much else, this team absolutely has positional needs and preferences under Dan Quinn. They’ve drafted four linebackers, four cornerbacks, and four wide receivers over his four years in charge, which reflects Quinn’s strong desire to stack his team with quality corners and linebackers, and the team’s desire to add speed and talent to the bottom (and with Calvin Ridley, the top) of their corps. Those positions are followed closely by running back, where the Falcons have nailed their Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith picks and added useful depth in Brian Hill, and then defensive tackle (Grady Jarrett and Deadrin Senat), guard (Wes Schweitzer and Sean Harlow, hardly huge investments), tight end (Austin Hooper and Eric Saubert), and defensive end (Vic Beasley and Takkarist McKinley, or the only position where Quinn has invested two first rounders). They’ve never drafted a QB (obviously), true center, kicker or punter under Quinn, but every other position is covered here in some capacity. What does this mean? The Falcons have been pouring enough resources into linebacker that they now have a position group that is pretty strong at the top and genuinely deep. To a lesser extent, the same is true at cornerback, though they hurt their depth by cutting two players this offseason. They’ve also stacked up receiver and running back pretty well Trey Burton Jerseys 2019 , mostly with their draft selections, and shouldn’t need to add to either group unless they find great value late. What that means, where the Falcons have nine draft selections and no pressing holes at positions they’ve traditionally prioritized spending draft capital on, is that we’re likely to see them dive into positions they’ve typically neglected. That’s especially true at tackle and center, where the team invested a seventh round pick (OT Jake Rodgers) and zero selections respectively, but currently “enjoy” a situation where they have no obvious long-term starter at right tackle and no young player to groom at center behind Alex Mack. They’re likely to remedy both of those situations come late April.They’ll also finally break out of their habits along the defensive line, one suspects. The Falcons have only made two major investments in DE, choosing to fill the rotation with useful veterans beyond them, but are about to either wash their hands of Vic Beasley after 2019 or potentially lose him as he chases a big contract after a big year. Whether it’s a first rounder or a late rounder, the team needs a developmental end to step in next year when Beasley, Clayborn, and Means’ contracts are all up. Ditto defensive tackle, where Jack Crawford is a free agent after next season and the team could use young help. The team may not do both—Dan Quinn has said he wants a group of eight or nine players on the defensive front, and the team has seven players who would seem to be locked in—but one is a virtual lock.Finally, there’s safety, and it’s a position that looks strong on paper but could turn into a quagmire if even one thing goes wrong. Damontae Kazee is expected to get more run at cornerback, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen are both returning from major injuries, and the team’s “we need depth at strong safety” comments seem to suggest they’re not in love with the very solid Sharrod Neasman, who isn’t on a long term deal in the first place. They’ll definitely draft one, even with a strong free agent group.Let’s hear your takeaways on this positional breakdown. Friday is a great day for yet another picture of a giant Bear mauling "that person from Wisconsin""BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSS / FREE AGENCY / DRAFTWood: Understanding the Role of Newly-Acquired Free Agents in 2019: Defense - Da Bears Blog - The Bears have made a number of moves in free agency White Cody Parkey Jerseys , and I want to use some advanced statistics to weigh in on their likely role on the roster and value to the team. We looked at the offense yesterday, and now will move to the defense, where the Bears will be replacing two starters.Eurich: Bears guard Bryan Witzmann named under-the-radar free agent - 247Sports - Offensive linemen are at a premium currently in the NFL. The Chicago Bears have been lucky to lock down both of their starting tackles and their interior offensive linemen for at least the 2019 season. One lineman who made an impact last season for the team, Bryan Witzmann, is currently out on the open market. With limited proven options at the position around the NFL, Witzmann stands to be a valuable option for a team.Medina: Colts Sign Pass-Rusher Justin Houston, Which Takes Bears Option Off Table - Bleacher Nation - The Bears will have to look elsewhere for pass-rush help.Medina: It’s Impossible to Ignore the Bears Visits with Draft-Eligible Running Backs - Bleacher Nation - Clearly, the Bears are interested in adding something fresh to the mix.Medina: Aaron Lynch Is Garnering Interest Elsewhere In Free Agency, But Don’t Count Out a Bears Reunion Yet - Bleacher Nation - Aaron Lynch has reported interest from at least four teams - including the Bears.Video: Beach Bears - ChicagoBears.com - Roquan Smith, Prince Amukamara, Bradley Sowell and Bilal Nichols put Bears fans through a football clinic on da beach with a special appearance from Coach Dunn Dunn.Video: Island Excursions - ChicagoBears.com - From fish pedicures to iguana surprises, Lauren Screeden and Spice Adams sail away to explore Isla Mujeres with Bears players.VIdeo: Prince Goes Poolside - ChicagoBears.com - Prince Amukamara shows off his “Inside the Bears” reporting skills when he interviews Bears fans in Mexico.Rosenthal: Collateral benefits - Mitchell Trubisky gaining from roster shuffle - NFL.com - Mitchell Trubisky has a lot to be happy about after gaining some new offensive weapons. Everson Griffen and Mike Smith can relate. Gregg Rosenthal lists guys who've received collateral benefits from all this player movement.Benton: 21 best remaining NFL free agents - Touchdown Wire - The first wave of free agency has come and gone, and the second wave is now upon us. Here are the 21 best remaining NFL free agents.Perez: Potential Bears target Justin Houston signs with Colts - Bears Wire - Potential Chicago Bears free-agent target Justin Houston signed a two-year deal with the Colts.Farrar: Why did the Raiders win an award for what seems like a bad trade? - Touchdown Wire - The Raiders won a coveted award for a very controversial trade. Here's why that doesn't make sense.Mayer: NFL owners to mull rule changes - ChicagoBears.com - When NFL owners gather for their annual meetings Sunday through Wednesday in Phoenix, they will consider several rule changes, many of which involve the expansion of replay.Video: Spice, Sowell Ping Pong Showdown - ChicagoBears.com - Spice Adams and Bradley Sowell put their paddles to the test at the RIU Palace Costa Mujeres.POLISH SAUSAGELinks: Saints' Cameron Meredith Takes Pay Cut - Pro Football Rumors - Saints wide receiver Cameron Meredith has agreed to a pay cut, reducing his base salary from $3.4MM to $1.3MM for 2019, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Meredith missed ten games due to a knee issue last season, so it was a logical move for both sides.Competition Committee unveils two proposals to change replay rules – ProFootballTalk - The NFL has released this year's proposed changes to the league's playing rules and nine of them have to do with the replay review system. Two of those proposals come directly from the Competition Committee while the other seven were generated by teams.Clay Matthews: Rams are “a perfect fit” for me – ProFootballTalk - Clay Matthews is happy to be home. The veteran linebacker grew up in Southern California and played his college ball at USC, so he had the Rams on his mind once it became clear that he wouldn't be returning to the Packers for an 11th season.Patriots, Gostkowski making progress in contract talks – ProFootballTalk - Free agent kicker Stephen Gostkowski has spent his entire NFL career in New England, and there's reason to think he'll remain there. Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston reports that Gostkowski and the Patriots have made progress toward a new contract. Gostkowski completed a four-year Cody Parkey Jerseys 2019 , $17.Colts sign All-Pro pass rusher Justin Houston - NFL.com - The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to terms on a deal with former Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston, the team announced Thursday, Houston totaled nine sacks during the 2018 season.Eagles proposed change to Detroit-Dallas Thanksgiving tradition – ProFootballTalk - For decades, Detroit and Dallas have hosted Thanksgiving games each year. The Eagles attempted to change that, but they later withdrew their proposal.KNOW THY ENEMYDetroit Lions sign TE Logan Thomas - Pride Of Detroit - The former college quarterback is headed to Detroit.Lions safety Tavon Wilson takes a pay cut to stay in Detroit - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions will save over $1 million in cap space.NFL Free Agency: Marcus Sherels to sign with New Orleans Saints - Daily Norseman - So now what are we going to argue about during Training Camp?Free agency shored up holes in Packers’ roster, but Draft will answer long-term questions - Acme Packing Company - Brian Gutekunst locked down nearly every starting spot for 2019 after his free agent splurge, but Green Bay has long-term questions at a handful of key spots. The draft could bring answers.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONLeming's Bears mailbag: Free agency, draft, Howard’s future and Justin Houston? - Windy City Gridiron - The first week of the 2019 NFL free agency period has come and gone. What can the Bears still do to improve their roster? All of this and more in this week’s mailbag.Snyder & Berckes' Bears Over Beers Episode 4: EDGE Defenders - Windy City Gridiron - Jeff and EJ unload their unabashed admiration for Khalil Mack, touch on other Bear EDGE defenders and do a deep dive into the pass rushers available in the middle rounds of this year’s NFL Draft.WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert Zeglinski - The Blitz NetworkTHE RULESWindy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter;Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook