Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

1st Round (#6) WR Julio Jones, Alabama

3rd Round (#91) LB Akeem Dent, Georgia

5th Round (#145) RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

6th Round (#192) K Matt Bosher, Miami

5th Round (#158) S Jermale Hines, Ohio State

7th Round (#210) G Andrew Jackson, Fresno State

7^th Round (#230) DE Cliff Matthews, South Carolina

Analysis of Notable Selections:

Julio Jones: Atlanta surrendered a lot (two 1^st round picks (2011 and 2012 NFL Draft), 2^nd round pick (#59), 4^th round pick (#124) and a 4^th round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft) to move up 21 spots and select Julio Jones.  PFDN really liked Julio Jones and rated him as the 7^th best player in the entire draft.  However, that is too much compensation for a wide receiver.  Julio Jones will be paired with Roddy White to provide Atlanta with a pair of terrific receivers.  The defensive line and the secondary remain suspect.  We do not view Julio Jones as the final piece to a championship team. 

Atlanta may have been better off choosing an impact defensive lineman (Robert Quinn or Nick Fairley) than a wide receiver.  We also believe they would have been better off to not have made the trade and kept all of their draft choices.  Wide receivers, Greg Little and Randall Cobb, would have been available with Atlanta’s 2^nd round pick.  Green Bay’s wide receivers destroyed Atlanta’s defense in the playoffs last season.  The Packers did not spend a 1^st round pick on any of their receivers.  The Steelers also did not have a wide receiver drafted in the 1^st round playing for them last season.  They still went to the Super Bowl.  In general, we do not believe it is wise for a team to give up the farm for a wide receiver.  Julio Jones had better be a Hall of Fame receiver or this trade was a mistake for the Falcons.

Akeem Dent: The former Georgia linebacker provides depth and help on special teams.  Dent was an ok selection, but he does not have a lot of upside potential.  He could struggle versus the pass and be simply a decent run stopper.  His ability to become an eventual starter is doubtful.  The team may have been better off taking a chance on tight end, Jordan Cameron.  He is very raw at this point, but Tony Gonzalez is near the end of a Hall of Fame career.  Cameron could be groomed for a season or two.  Cameron is a project at this point, but he is a fine athlete with potential upside.

Jacquizz Rodgers: Michael Turner carries a heavy load (334 carries last season) in Atlanta’s ground game.  Jerious Norwood is 28 and frequently is injured (torn ACL cost him most of the 2010 season).  Atlanta needed some fresh legs and Jacquizz Rodgers was a solid addition.  Rodgers is extremely quick and will provide a different look compared to the powerful Turner.  Rodgers is similar to Darren Sproles, but he is not proven as a kick returner.

2011 NFL Draft Grade: C+

Bottom Line: The Falcons will be able to score points, but can they stop quality offenses?  Their defensive line is a concern and John Abraham is 33.  The team’s shaky secondary also was not addressed in the draft.  Atlanta is built to win now with the age of several key veterans approaching 30 (Michael Turner (29), Roddy White (29), Jonathan Babineaux (29), Dunta Robinson (29) or over 30 (John Abraham (33), Tony Gonzalez (34) and Mike Peterson (34).  The team does not have a 1^st round pick next year.  Atlanta gave up too much for Julio Jones and the defense will have trouble stopping explosive offenses.