The Atlanta Falcons have added depth
at linebacker with only their second pick in the NFL draft.
The Falcons had to be patient after moving up 21 spots to No. 6
overall and drafting Alabama receiver Julio Jones in the first
round. After waiting 85 picks, Atlanta picked Georgia linebacker
Akeem Dent in the third round on Friday night.
Dent provides insurance for the Falcons, who have Stephen
Nicholas and 34-year-old Mike Peterson as free agents.
Dent (6-1, 233) led Georgia with 126 tackles and had 21/2 sacks as a senior.
Dent started 29 games at Georgia, playing both outside and
inside. He was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference pick as a senior.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)