FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Montana defensive end Kroy Biermann was selected by Atlanta in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft (154th overall). Biermann (6-foot-3, 242 pounds) will start out at defensive end, but could play multiple positions on defense.
"Kroy is listed as a defensive end (but) the guy has played linebacker and has played all over the defense before," Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "He has 3-4 outside linebacker ability (and) inside linebacker ability; he also has ability to get up the field as a rush guy. We thought his versatility was also important for us."
Biermann won the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award winner, given to the best defensive player in the Football Championship Series (formerly D-IAA). He used his burst off the snap, instincts and high motor to rack up gaudy numbers last season (72 tackles, 15 sacks, five forced fumbles).
"He's going to line up at right defensive end for us to start with, with some flexibility," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "He (can) play in a two-point stance and some teams had him projected as an inside linebacker."
MORE ON LINEBACKER KROY BIERMANN:
- NFL.com: Kroy Biermann profile
- YOUTUBE: Biermann -- Buck Buchanan Candidate
- NEWS: Biermann could switch from defensive end | Photos
- AF.com: Click here for complete NFL Draft coverage
