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NFL • 10 months ago

Predicting the Impact of Every Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

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Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Sports

Predicting the Impact of Every Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

Dan Quinn Atlanta Falcons Head Coach — The Falcons were an interesting team to watch during the draft. They had a new head coach, Dan Quinn, who was looking add personnel that fit his scheme. He was able to do just that and had a very successful first draft with his new team. The Falcons were able to add a lot of talented players to their defense, all while adding a couple of pieces on offense to make them contenders. Here’s a look at the impact each draft pick will have on the team.

The Falcons were an interesting team to watch during the draft. They had a new head coach, Dan Quinn, who was looking add personnel that fit his scheme. He was able to do just that and had a very successful first draft with his new team. The Falcons were able to add a lot of talented players to their defense, all while adding a couple of pieces on offense to make them contenders. Here’s a look at the impact each draft pick will have on the team.

Round 1: Vic Beasley

Vic Beasley Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

Round 1: Vic Beasley

Vic Beasley Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick — I was shocked that Beasley fell to the eighth pick. I thought he was a lock to go in the top five. The team was lucky that Beasley fell to them, and he has the potential to be the best pass rusher in this draft class. Beasley will start for the Falcons, and will give them a pass rushing threat that they have lacked since John Abraham left the team. He could notch double-digit sacks and will be in consideration for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

I was shocked that Beasley fell to the eighth pick. I thought he was a lock to go in the top five. The team was lucky that Beasley fell to them, and he has the potential to be the best pass rusher in this draft class. Beasley will start for the Falcons, and will give them a pass rushing threat that they have lacked since John Abraham left the team. He could notch double-digit sacks and will be in consideration for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Round 2: Jalen Collins

Jalen Collins Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

Round 2: Jalen Collins

Jalen Collins Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick — The Falcons already have a couple of young corners in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, but Alford is a much better fit at the nickel position due to his size. Collins was a great pick by the Falcons, as he had first round potential and should be able to start right away for the team. Collins is big and athletic, and he should be a perfect fit in Quinn’s scheme, which requires taller cornerbacks.

The Falcons already have a couple of young corners in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, but Alford is a much better fit at the nickel position due to his size. Collins was a great pick by the Falcons, as he had first round potential and should be able to start right away for the team. Collins is big and athletic, and he should be a perfect fit in Quinn’s scheme, which requires taller cornerbacks.

Round 3: Tevin Coleman

Tevin Coleman Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

Round 3: Tevin Coleman

Tevin Coleman Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick — This pick was considered to be a steal by some, as Tevin Coleman had a terrific final season at Indiana before declaring for the draft. Coleman is only 5-foot-9, be he will still have a major impact for the Falcons and he could start right away if he beats out Devonte Freeman for the position. Coleman figures to have the upper hand, and he could develop into a three down back, provided that he can stay healthy.

This pick was considered to be a steal by some, as Tevin Coleman had a terrific final season at Indiana before declaring for the draft. Coleman is only 5-foot-9, be he will still have a major impact for the Falcons and he could start right away if he beats out Devonte Freeman for the position. Coleman figures to have the upper hand, and he could develop into a three down back, provided that he can stay healthy.

Round 4: Justin Hardy

Justin Hardy Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

Round 4: Justin Hardy

Justin Hardy Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick — Justin Hardy had a highly productive career at East Carolina, and he was a machine last season when catching balls from Shane Carden. Hardy should be able to have similar success at the NFL level as a slot receiver, and he’ll have a chance to battle for the position because the team lost Harry Douglas in free agency. Hardy may not play right away, but he’ll see time there at some point in the season and Matt Ryan will love throwing to him.

Justin Hardy had a highly productive career at East Carolina, and he was a machine last season when catching balls from Shane Carden. Hardy should be able to have similar success at the NFL level as a slot receiver, and he’ll have a chance to battle for the position because the team lost Harry Douglas in free agency. Hardy may not play right away, but he’ll see time there at some point in the season and Matt Ryan will love throwing to him.

Round 5: Grady Jarrett

Grady Jarrett Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

Round 5: Grady Jarrett

Grady Jarrett Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick — In the fifth round, Grady Jarrett was a great value pick, but he won’t have a chance at winning a starting job. Paul Soliai and Ra’Shede Hageman are firmly entrenched as the starters. Jarrett will battle Jonathan Babineaux to be the first defensive tackle off the bench, but he likely will only see limited playing time. Still, Jarrett should be able to play well, though he may not have a big impact on the team until his second season.

In the fifth round, Grady Jarrett was a great value pick, but he won’t have a chance at winning a starting job. Paul Soliai and Ra’Shede Hageman are firmly entrenched as the starters. Jarrett will battle Jonathan Babineaux to be the first defensive tackle off the bench, but he likely will only see limited playing time. Still, Jarrett should be able to play well, though he may not have a big impact on the team until his second season.

Round 7: Jake Rodgers

Jake Rodgers Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

Round 7: Jake Rodgers

Jake Rodgers Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick — The Falcons did need some depth on the offensive line, and they took a player with athletic potential in the seventh round. If all goes as planned, Jake Rodgers won’t see much playing time and if he makes the team, he’ll be buried on the depth chart. Rodgers may not even make the team, but he will probably make the practice squad for the Falcons, given the issues they had on the offensive line last season.

The Falcons did need some depth on the offensive line, and they took a player with athletic potential in the seventh round. If all goes as planned, Jake Rodgers won’t see much playing time and if he makes the team, he’ll be buried on the depth chart. Rodgers may not even make the team, but he will probably make the practice squad for the Falcons, given the issues they had on the offensive line last season.

Round 7: Akeem King

Akeem King Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick

Round 7: Akeem King

Akeem King Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick — Akeem King actually stands a better chance of making the Falcons' team than the team’s other seventh round. King is a massive corner at 6-foot-3, and he fits perfectly into Quinn’s defensive scheme. He is still raw because he played at receiver before switching to cornerback, but he will likely be a backup at the position if he develops well. He might see some playing time later on in the season.

Akeem King actually stands a better chance of making the Falcons' team than the team’s other seventh round. King is a massive corner at 6-foot-3, and he fits perfectly into Quinn’s defensive scheme. He is still raw because he played at receiver before switching to cornerback, but he will likely be a backup at the position if he develops well. He might see some playing time later on in the season.

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