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Jeff -
Atlanta Falcons
Round 1 - No. 8 - Vic Beasley - OLB - Clemson
There were 2 guys I really wanted in the first, either trade up for Fowler Jr. (bullet dodged) or pray that Beasley would fall to us. If you remember reading my article before the draft, I outlined all the scenarios that could land us Beasley or Fowler and shockingly one of those scenarios played out almost to the word and Beasley was sitting there at 8 for us.
What can I say about this pick? I think Beasley will be a great fit in Dan Quinn’s scheme. He is an instant impact guy and gives the Falcons the first premier pass rusher since the departure of John Abraham.
He may not be a 3 down guy right off the bat, but I think he puts in the work to round out his game and could be a very dominant every down guy in the near future. Until then, Quinn will ask him to pin his ears back and do what he does best, rush the damn passer.
With the way our pass rush was last year, that’s all any Falcon fan wants. We couldn’t care less if he can’t cover a tight end, if he is getting 8-12 sacks in years 1 and 2, then this is a homerun.
Grade - A
Round 2 - No. 42 - Jalen Collins - CB - LSU
Jalen Collins was widely considered a first round talent with plenty of upside. So why was he there for the Falcons in the 2nd round? Well, he did have a few off the field issues which raised some concerns, top that with a clear lack of experience and it’s enough red flags to make you question using that first round pick.
With that being said, when you see him in the 2nd round you don’t think twice about taking him. The Falcons need some help in the secondary with the departure of Robert McClain. Desmond Trufant is the clear cut #1 guy in that secondary but he needs a guy on the other side of the field that can put in work of his own. Robert Alford has been very solid but there is room for improvement in his game.
In comes Collins who will most likely take of the right side of the field and push Alford inside. Collins has the ideal size that Quinn loves, give him a year or two and we could be looking at one of the best corner tandems in the league.
Grade - A-
Round 3 - No. 73 - Tevin Coleman - RB - Indiana
He’s no Todd Gurley, but the fact that Coleman was there at 73 was almost as good value as Beasley and Collins. This was the 3rd straight round the Falcons nailed their pick. Filling a need and also taking a great value pick.
Coleman finished 2nd behind Gordon for rushing yards last year and turned in a Jamaal Charles-esque 40 time in his pro day. If that isn't enough to get you excited, just check out his highlights on YouTube and you should be smiling from ear to ear.
Coming into the draft it seemed that Devonta Freeman had the lead back role locked up with Antone Smith being the nice change of pace speed back. The second the Falcons turned in that draft card, every back on the roster got pushed down 1 notch on the depth chart.
Coleman should be a day 1 starter, still splitting some carries with Freeman and Smith though. Many experts labeled this the best pick in the draft given where we got him. As a team with Julio Jones and Roddy White it’s obvious the run game takes a back seat, but Coleman finally gives the Falcons the guy that can take some of those pass plays and turn them into run plays instead.
The run game has been pretty sad since the 2nd to last year of Turner’s stint with the team. I’m not saying he will be a 1700 yard guy, but he will definitely add a legit threat in the backfield and make teams think twice about playing deep for the pass.
Grade - B+
Round 4 - No. 107 - Justin Hardy - WR - ECU
I have to be honest, I was not thrilled with this pick at first. With OT TJ Clemmings and OG Tre Jackson both available I would’ve liked to see the Falcons nab one of those two guys to fill out the line. Hardy is a slot guy that doesn’t have blazing speed, which puts him at a major disadvantage.
After having time to digest the pick, I am a little more comfortable with the decision to take Hardy. After cutting ties with Harry Douglas, the Falcons were in need of a slot guy because Hester just isn’t the #3 guy. Hardy should be able to give similar production to what Harry Douglas had over the past few years.
Hardy brings some toughness that Douglas just didn’t have, and should be a useful tool to compliment the Julio Jones onslaught.
Grade - C+
Round 5 - No. 137 - Grady Jarrett - DT - Clemson
I can’t say enough about this pick. Many experts have dubbed this the steal of the draft. Grady Jarrett was billed as a 2nd round talent, so getting him in the 5th was an absolute steal. Not to mention the fact that he is a hometown boy, and the sound of Falcons Ring of Honor member Jessie “The Hammer” Tuggle. Compile all that and you have a home run selection.
The Falcons used a 2nd round pick last year on DT Ra’shede Hageman, who showed some decent play last year. Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson have been put on notice with this selection.
Jarrett is a little undersized for the spot, which contributed to his slide, but some think it may benefit him at the point of contact in the trenches. The Falcons really are building something special on the defensive side of the ball and getting Jarrett, especially in the 5th round, was a major boost.
Grade - A-
Round 7 - No. 225 - Jake Rodgers - OT - Eastern Washington
Jake Rodgers is simply a depth selection here. They will have him come in and try and compete and see if he can push some of the veteran lineman to the best of their abilities. I doubt he actually makes the roster, but he will at least let Quinn see what the other guys on the roster have to offer.
Grade - C
Round 7 - No. 249 - Akeem King - CB - San Jose State
Last year the Falcons used a late round selection on corner Ricardo Allen. He spent most of the season on the practice squad and got called up late. This year he should be on the active roster, which leaves that spot on the practice squad, in comes Akeem King. I think he will follow the same path as Ricardo Allen last year if he shows some fight during training camp.
Grade - C
Overall Grade - A
As expected, the Falcons went defense heavy in the draft, with 3 of the top 5 picks coming on the defensive side of the ball. Many needs were filled and I think the Falcons had 2 of the best value picks of the draft in Coleman and Jarrett.
There was only 1 questionable pick, Hardy, and even that was a pretty good pick. The Falcons boosted their roster in a major way in the draft, and I think you pair that with the new scheme being installed, and you have the recipe for a successful season in Atlanta.
Follow me on Twitter at: @Jeffkay1989
Follow Clayton on Twitter at: @19Yanks23
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