1st Round (#19) LB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Key Player(s) Passed On: DE Jerry Hughes
Analysis: Weatherspoon should fit in nicely as the weakside linebacker in Atlanta’s 4-3 defense. Weatherspoon is a very versatile linebacker who can cover, tackle and blitz. The Falcons have their starting weakside backer for years to come. Weatherspoon can learn some tricks of his trade from 12-year vet, Mike Peterson. The former Missouri star can contribute on special teams as he adjusts to the NFL, but he will start in the near future. Jerry Hughes would have been a potential successor to John Abraham. The Atlanta pass rush needs a young defensive end to develop after Jamaal Anderson (1st round, 2007 NFL Draft) flopped. However, Weatherspoon is a very talented playmaker and was a good choice. He was worth the 19th pick in the draft.
3rd Round (#83) DT Corey Peters, Kentucky
Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Eric Decker, WR Andre Roberts
Analysis: Michael Jenkins has scored only 4 touchdowns in the past two seasons. He has not been productive enough as the number 2 receiver to Roddy White. PFDN rated Decker and Roberts as good 3rd round values. They both could have improved the options that Matt Ryan has to throw to. Peters had a decent college career, but is a bit of a tweener. He lacks exceptional quickness to penetrate consistently and does not have great strength to demand a double team. We thought the 3rd round was high to choose him.
3rd Round (#98) OG Mike Johnson, Alabama
Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Mardy Gilyard, DE Everson Griffen
Analysis: Johnson is a tough and dedicated player who had a good collegiate career at Alabama. He could be just a steady backup in the NFL because he lacks power and size. We still think the Falcons need more firepower on offense to compete with the very best teams. Gilyard has a chance to be a fine slot receiver and can return kicks. Harry Douglas will be returning this season after missing last year due to knee surgery. However, Douglas is unproven as a wide receiver and only showed flashes as a punt returner. The Falcons are not set with their current group of receivers. Griffen has pass rush talent, but the dedication concerns surrounding him are legitimate. He still would have been worth the gamble with the 98th pick. Griffen has far more upside (and at a critical position) than Johnson. If Griffen grows up and takes the game seriously he could have really bolstered the Falcons’ pass rush.
4th Round (#117) C, G Joe Hawley, UNLV
Key Player(s) Passed On: TE Garrett Graham, TE Clay Harbor
Analysis: Hawley played center and guard at UNLV. The Falcons hope that Hawley can be their center of the future because Todd McClure is entering his 12th season. Hawley played in a spread offense in college and it remains to be seen if he can run block successfully in the NFL. Atlanta has a future need at center, but even more so at tight end. Tony Gonzalez enters his 14th season and his heir apparent is not on the roster. The future Hall of Famer can still play, but it is late in the 4th quarter for his career. Why not groom an athletic tight end like Garrett Graham or Clay Harbor behind Gonzalez for a season or two? We evaluated Garrett Graham, in particular, to be the superior prospect to Hawley. In addition, the Falcons do need to groom the successor to Gonzalez.
5th Round (#135) CB Dominique Franks, Oklahoma
Key Player (s) Passed On: CB Perrish Cox, DT Cam Thomas
Analysis: PFDN evaluated Franks to be a 5th round talent and that he was overrated entering the draft. He was a decent value in the 5th round, but he has to get stronger and make better decisions to be a solid NFL cornerback. Perrish Cox has maturity concerns, but he has more upside than Franks and is the superior kick returner. He likely was eliminated from the Falcons’ draft board due to his attitude and we can understand that. Cam Thomas can be a good run-stuffer, but he does not always play hard. He represented little risk in the 5th round. Franks was a decent selection in the 5th round, but there were a couple of players with more upside.
5th Round (#165) WR Kerry Meier, Kansas
Key Player(s) Passed On: RB Jonathan Dwyer
Analysis: Meier is a big possession receiver who a quarterback can count on to be in right spot. However, he will have trouble separating from NFL cornerbacks. Meier could be another Brian Finneran, but he is not going to be an explosive receiver. Dwyer is a physical back who would have provided solid depth behind Michael Turner. The Falcons have Jerious Norwood, but he is more of a change of pace back. Atlanta wants to be a well-balanced offense and they have to run the ball to make this happen. Turner and Dwyer could have been a couple of hammers that set-up Atlanta for effective play-action passes. Dwyer has more upside than Meier.
6th Round (#171) S Shann Schillinger, Montana
Key Player(s) Passed On: RB Jonathan Dwyer, WR Dezmon Briscoe
Analysis: Schillinger was a productive two-year starter at Montana. He has average size (6’ and 200 lbs) and speed (4.5 Forty). Schillinger will work hard and may be able to help the Falcons on special teams. However, safety was not a huge concern for Atlanta. William Moore (2nd round, 2009 NFL Draft) is returning from injury and cannot be counted out. The Falcons still have high hopes for him. Dezmon Briscoe probably lacks the maturity that Atlanta seeks in its players. We do not understand the Falcons passing on Dwyer. He does not have the reputation of being a bad kid. Dwyer has more upside than Schillinger, in our opinion. Time will tell if Thomas Dimitroff saw something in Schillinger that many did not.
Bottom Line: We loved the Sean Weatherspoon selection, but not much else from the Falcons draft. Atlanta did not add to their offensive firepower or find a pass rusher with potential. The Falcons found one quality starter and some backups.
Draft Grade: C+
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