NFL Mock Draft 2015: APC selects Brandon Scherff for Falcons

With the eighth pick in the 2015 Acme Packing Company mock draft, Jason B. Hirschhorn assumed the role of the Atlanta Falcons general manager. In that capacity, he has selected:

Brandon Scherff, offensive lineman, Iowa

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 319 pounds
Combine 40-time: 5.05 seconds

The Atlanta Falcons made a conservative, but ultimately smart pick a year ago when they selected Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews to hold down the blindside for the next decade plus. While his rookie year was an up-and-down affair, Matthews should become one of the better players at the position in the league.

Unfortunately for Atlanta, the rest of their line remains a work in progress. With so many holes and the team requiring instant impact, Iowa's Brandon Scherff makes plenty of sense if he's on the board at No. 8.

Scherff is the latest in a long line of solid, reliable tackles to come out of Kirk Ferentz's system in Iowa City. Bryan Bulaga has settled in with the Green Bay Packers as one of the best right tackles in football while Riley Reiff emerged as a quality blindside protector in Detroit this past season. Like his predecessors, Scherff should be able to line up at tackle and hold down the spot for the foreseeable future. However, he might be an even more attractive option inside at guard where his strength and tenacity are better utilized. As the Falcons need to address both areas, they can draft Scherff now, figure out where he'll play later, and know that in either case the offensive line will improve.