FLOWERY BRANCH Zach Gentry Jersey , Ga. (AP)The Atlanta Falcons are used to focusing on one or two positions in the NFL draft.Not this year.After a Super Bowl appearance two years ago and another trip to the playoffs last season, the Falcons are fairly content with their roster.Oh, sure, they’ve got needs like every other team.But nothing that looks too pressing.”This draft is different than most drafts I’ve been involved with,” said Thomas Dimitroff, entering his second decade as the Falcons’ general manager.”This is an important draft and an interesting draft. There are a number of positions we’re looking at, more than other years. Other years, we really homed in on one or two positions.”The Falcons have the No. 26 pick in Thursday night’s opening round.With a lot of attention on quarterbacks such as Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and the past two Heisman Trophy winners, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson Nick Bosa Jersey , Dimitroff expects some top talent to slip all the way down to Atlanta’s spot.”There’s some really legitimate contenders to help our team right away at No. 26 if we stay put,” he said. ”We’ll always be aggressive if we see some interesting impact players who can take us to another level. But hopefully they’ll get to 26.”Atlanta follows up over the final two days of the draft with selections in the second (58th overall), third (90th), fourth (126th), sixth (200th) and seventh (244th) rounds. In addition, the Falcons were awarded the final pick (No. 256) as compensation for losing five players in free agency, which means they have a chance to grab the player known as ”Mr. Irrelevant.”Here’s some things to watch from Atlanta heading into the draft:BIG NEEDSThe Falcons will be looking for help on the interior of the defensive line after mammoth tackle Dontari Poe signed with NFC South rival Carolina during free agency.The offensive line could get an upgrade, as well. Even though the Falcons signed guard Brandon Fusco in free agency, they are still looking for players to bolster their blocking around center Alex Mack.OTHER OPENINGSThe Falcons don’t have a fullback on the roster after deciding not to re-sign Derrick Coleman, so look for some help at that position in the later rounds.Also keep an eye on receiver. If someone such as Alabama’s Calvin Ridley becomes available, the Falcons might jump at the chance to land a potential star who could take some of the coverage pressure off Julio Jones.TEAM EFFORTDimitroff and coach Dan Quinn have formed an excellent working relationship after somewhat of a forced partnership.The general manager was hired by the Falcons in 2008 and initially had total control over the draft L.J. Collier Jersey , but he surrendered some of that power to Quinn when the coach was hired by owner Arthur Blank in 2015.The arrangement has worked out just fine.”It’s nice for me from an experience standpoint to draft alongside one of the most tenured GMs in the league,” Quinn said.WHEELIN’ AND DEALIN’Dimitroff is always looking to make a deal on draft day.Last year, the GM sent three picks to the Seahawks in order to move up to No. 26 – the same spot the Falcons have this year – for UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley, feeling he would be a perfect fit in Quinn’s attacking defense.Dimitroff also traded up to get cornerback Desmond Trufant in 2013, and most notably pulled off a huge deal with Cleveland in 2011 to land Jones, who quickly developed into one of the league’s top receivers and a cornerstone of the franchise. The Browns are still regretting that trade.HITS, MISSES AND BARGAINSQB Matt Ryan has started all but two games since Dimitroff, in his first draft, made him the No. 3 overall pick in 2008. That remains the most significant selection in franchise history.CB Jalen Collins, a second-rounder out of LSU in 2015, continually ran afoul of drug-testing rules and wound up playing less than two full seasons for the Falcons Marquise Blair Jersey , who released him last November after his second suspension.DT Grady Jarrett has become a force on the defensive front since being picked in the fifth round out of Clemson in 2015. The dynamic RB duo of Devonta Freeman (fourth round, 2014) and Tevin Coleman (third round, 2013) were both bargains. LB De’Vondre Campbell was a fourth-round selection in 2016 who became an immediate starter on defense.— Jose Altuve was more than due when he came to bat in the 10th inning, and got a winning rally started for the Houston Astros.

”He hadn’t gotten a hit in four at-bats,” manager A.J. Hinch said of the second basemen who led the American League in hits each of the past four seasons and is the MLB leader so far this year.

Altuve was actually in an 0-for-13 slide before his fifth at-bat Wednesday night against the Texas Rangers. His 115th hit of the season was a one-out single off Chris Martin, who then hit Yuli Gurriel with a pitch before an errant pickoff throw allowed both runners to move up. That set up Evan Gattis‘ tiebreaking sacrifice fly in a 5-4 victory.

Gurriel homered, doubled and scored twice as the Astros overcame an early four-run deficit. His fifth homer, leading off the fifth against starter Mike Minor, tied the game at 4.

Josh Reddick also went deep for the Astros, who their eighth consecutive road game against Texas and are a majors-best 32-14 on the road this season. The Astros have a 12-4 advantage in the season series between the instate division rivals that has only a three-game set remaining in Houston later this month.

Shin-Soo Choo homered and had a single to extend his on-base streak to 44 games, the longest in his career and in the majors this season. That matches Otis Nixon’s streak in 1995 for the Rangers D.K. Metcalf Jersey , and trails only Julio Franco’s 46-gamer in 1993 for the team record.

Texas led 4-0 after Choo’s one-out solo homer started a three-run outburst in the third off starter Gerrit Cole.

Collin McHugh (4-0), who won 48 games as a starter for the Astros the past four seasons, allowed only one hit over three scoreless innings. Ken Giles worked the 10th for his 12th save in 12 chances.

”You’re talking about a 19-game winner in the big leagues. Those don’t grow on trees,” said Astros reliever Will Harris, who worked out of a jam in the sixth before McHugh took over. ”He goes out there and he knows who he is. He mixes it up, he’s a strike thrower and he’s a fearless guy out there.”

MESSY MOUND

The start of the game was delayed for a few minutes after Minor had issues with the mound during warmups. The ground crew came out to work on the slippery dirt. Cole also was unhappy with the mound. Martin (1-2) slipped and fell down when throwing the pitch that hit Gurriel. The Rangers said afterward that Martin was being evaluated for a left groin issue.

”The mound early seemed to be slick,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.

DEEP ON THE ROAD

The Astros have homered in 24 consecutive road games, three short of the MLB record set by the Oakland Athletics earlier this season. Baltimore also went deep in 24 consecutive road games in 1996.

RACKING UP K’s

Cole, who threw 108 pitches to get through five innings, struck out seven to increase his season total to 158. The only Astros pitcher with more strikeouts before the All-Star break is Mike Scott, with 167 in 22 starts in 1986. Cole has made 18 starts Cody Barton Jersey , with two more scheduled before the break. … In four starts against Texas this season, Cole has 40 strikeouts in 25 innings.

FAR FROM PERFECT

Minor retired the first 19 San Diego batters he faced in his previous start a week earlier. The lefty allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over six innings against Houston with four strikeouts and three walks.

”Probably not as sharp as he’s been,” Banister said. ”Looked like they were sitting on slider.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: Hinch said C Max Stassi was feeling better than expected after getting hit by a pitch on his right (throwing) wrist in the first inning Tuesday, on the same day starting catcher Brian McCann had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Rangers: 3B Adrian Beltre, baseball’s active career hits leader (3,108), was scratched from the lineup about an hour before the game because of an infected tooth. He had a root canal and then traveled with the team to Detroit. … RHP Tony Barnette went on the 10-day disabled list. An MRI revealed a strained lat that will keep him from throwing for at least four weeks. He left Tuesday night’s game in the middle of a batter.

UP NEXT

Astros: Justin Verlander (9-4), who has lost his last two starts, is on the mound when the Astros return home for the opener Thursday night of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

Rangers: The Rangers open a 10-game, 11-day trip that will take them to the All-Star break when they play Thursday night at Detroit. Texas also plays at Boston and Baltimore before their next home game July 20.

—