With the 2017 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to give an evaluation as to how all 32 teams did in addressing their positional needs. Here, the Atlanta Falcons are the focus. Atlanta made two trades over the course of the draft, the details of which can be seen below:
- Traded first (31st), third (91st), and seventh round pick (249th) to the Seattle Seahawks for a first round pick (26th).
- Traded second round pick (63rd) to the Buffalo Bills for a third (75th) and two fifth round picks (149th and 156th).
After said trades, the Falcons ended up with six players coming to Atlanta from the draft.
First round, 26th overall: Takkarist McKinley, defensive end, UCLA
Third round, 75th overall: Duke Riley, linebacker, LSU
Fourth round, 136th overall: Sean Harlow, offensive guard, Oregon State
Fifth round:
- 149th overall: Damontae Kazee, cornerback, San Diego State
- 156th overall: Brian Hill, running back, Wyoming
- 174th overall Eric Saubert, tight end, Drake
Falcons 2017 Draft Grade: 8.4/10
Atlanta Falcons 2017 NFL Draft Review
Best Player: Takkarist McKinley
After trading up to take him with the 26th pick in the draft, it is obvious how much the Falcons like their newest defensive lineman. Takkarist McKinley is exactly what the Falcons were looking for in the draft: a pass rusher to complement Vic Beasley on the defensive line. “Takk” thrives at getting to the quarterback and should be a staple on the Atlanta defensive line for years to come. McKinley brings swagger and confidence to an Atlanta defense, similar to what Michael Bennett brought to Dan Quinn‘s defense in Seattle.
Head-Scratcher: Damontae Kazee Over Desmond King
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the NFL draft was the fall of Desmond King, a projected mid-second round pick, to the fifth round. With the 149th pick, the Falcons had the opportunity to scoop up the Iowa star. However, they decided against drafting King and instead opted for San Diego State’s Damontae Kazee. Kazee is certainly not a bad player, but it is curious that the Falcons decided to pass on King for him. King ended up going two picks later to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Surprise: Eric Saubert
This pick is extremely confusing given how Atlanta already has two solid tight ends on the roster in Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo. Saubert is not expected to play much as a rookie and could perhaps be seen as a receiving fullback in some sets. Given his poor blocking ability, Saubert is likely to reside on the sidelines for much of 2017 while Hooper and Toilolo see the field.
The Steal: Duke Riley
Linebacker Duke Riley is a phenomenal player who should have gone higher than 75th overall. Riley’s athleticism and coverage skills will allow him to start immediately. Riley now joins Deion Jones as another LSU player in the Falcons linebacker core. Being able to select Riley 75th justifies the Falcons decision to trade out of the second round.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: Brian Hill
Although the Falcons already have two solid running backs in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, Hill will manage to turn heads in training camp. Hill is a speedy, change-of-pace back who can keep the Falcons offense humming when Coleman and Freeman are off the field. This was a great pick for the Falcons who were looking for a solid third running back.
The Rest
The Falcons used their fourth round pick on Sean Harlow, a physical offensive guard from Oregon State. His father, Pat, was the 11th pick in the 1991 NFL Draft out of USC. Sean Harlow will likely compete with 2016 sixth round pick Wes Schweitzer for the starting job at right guard.
Bottom Line
Falcons fans should be extremely happy with the results of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Falcons filled a big hole on the defensive line and added solid depth to all over the field. The Falcons are the reigning NFC Champions and are trying to redeem themselves for their Super Bowl LI collapse. These draftees should play a key role in the Falcons attempt to make it back to the Super Bowl in 2017.
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