Atlanta Falcons Draft Grades, Off-season recap, and 53 Roster projection

The Atlanta Falcons were off disappointing home loss to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs when they decided to trade way up with the Cleveland Browns in the 2011 draft me and in the process had to trade away a future 2012 1st round draft pick. Will it pay off? Jones flashed the ability to be a terrific NFL WR in the 2011 season, but the move might have hurt the depth of the Falcons roster. Let’s take a look back at what they did in the 2012 draft and off-season and take a very preliminary look at what their 53 man roster might look like.

2012 NFL Draft Grades

Round 1 pick-Traded to Browns

Round 2-Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Falcons needed offensive line depth and talent and Konz is a good one. Konz feel because of a concern about his injury history and his size/toughness. Konz though was a first round talent at center, to me. I like this pick a lot even though the Falcons might need tackles more than they need Konz he was still a good pick and Konz might be a day one starter for the Falcons. A-

Round 3-Lamar Holmes, T, Southern Miss

There were some names I heard that might go higher than expected, but Holmes was not one of them. There were a lot of linemen I liked more than Holmes, but the depth of the tackle class and the fact that they Falcons did not have a fourth round pick might have forced the Falcons hand here as they took a player they likewise would have gotten in round four if they had a pick. Holmes certainly has the size and strength that the Falcons covet. Holmes is more of a developmental tackle to me, and I think this pick, despite what the Falcons brass says was a reach. C-

Round 5 Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin

This is definitely a case where the value of a player is higher for a particular team than he might be across the entire league, but that does not make it a bad pick. Ewing should have a nice impact for the Falcons in ear one, one of the few teams (seemingly) that still use a full back effectively. B

Round 5 Jonathan Massaquoi, DE, Troy

I like this pick. I did not buy the hype of Massaquoi as a 2nd or third round pick where I saw him at times, but I think 5th round value is right where I had him. He’s an intriguing fifth round developmental defensive end with some pass rush abilities. The Falcons did not get enough from their defensive ends outside of Abraham last year and hope that Ray Edwards has a better year and players like Massaquoi can come in and give them quality snaps. B+

Round 6 Charles Mitchell, S, Mississippi State

I’m not going to kill any picks that happen in the 6th round, but I didn’t give really any high grades for any safety that was picked in the draft. The Falcons hope that Mitchell can come in and be effective on special teams like Tyler Sash was for the Giants last year (he led the team in Special teams tackles and was also drafted in the sixth round) and then develop into a contributing safety. Mitchell is the opposite type of player to Tyler Sash who is a heady player who is considered to have limited NFL athleticism. C+/B-

Round 7 Travian Robertson, DT, South Carolina

Robertson was outshone by many of his teammates along the defensive line of South Carolina which was stacked Melvin Ingram went in the first round in 2012 and the might have two players go in the first round in 2013 draft, but he flashed playmaking ability at times. Based on what the Falcons have at defensive tackle he has a fair shot at making the roster. C+/B-

Final thoughts-

The Falcons put themselves in a tough position with the big trade up in the 2011 N.F.L. draft. I liked their first pick (Peter Konz in the second round) because I thought on the field Konz was a first round player. Unfortunately for him he battled injuries throughout his career. Their next pick seemed to be a case of a team falling in love with a player and then taking him earlier to make sure he didn’t get snatched up–the issue was the Falcons would have had to wait another day and two whole rounds to get him so they decided to pull the trigger, early I believe. The rest of the draft won’t have much of an impact this year outside of Ewing and are players they hope to develop for the future. Solid job filling some needs, but the value was not great for me.

Off-season recap

~~Falcons cut FB Ovie Mughelli~~
Falcons acquire CB Asante Samuel from Eagles for late-round pick
~~Bears sign CB Kelvin Hayden~~
Falcons sign SS James Sanders
Falcons re-sign C Todd McClure
~~Saints sign ILB Curtis Lofton~~
Falcons re-sign LS Joe Zelenka
Falcons re-sign DE John Abraham
~~Bears sign WR/KR Eric Weems~~
Falcons re-sign WR Harry Douglas
Falcons re-sign QB Chris Redman
Falcons re-sign DT Vance Walker
Falcons sign ILB Lofa Tatupu
Falcons re-sign RB Jason Snelling
Falcons re-sign S Thomas DeCoud
Falcons re-sign DE Kroy Biermann
Falcons franchise CB Brent Grimes

53 Man Roster Projection

quarterback (2): Matt Ryan, Chris Redman

Running back (5): Michael Turner, Jason Snelling, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith, Brade Ewing

Wide Receiver (5): Roddy White, Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, Kevin Cone, Michael Calvin

Tight End (4): Tony Gonzalez, Michael Palmer, Tommy Gallarada, Adam Nissley

Offensive Line (9): Sam Baker, Jusin Blalock, Todd McClure, Peter Konz, Tyson Clabo, Garret Reynolds, Vince Manuwai, Joe Hawley, Lamar Holmes

Defensive Line (8): John Abraham, Ray Edwards, Jonathan Babineaux, Cory Peters, Kroy Biermann, Peria Jerry, Lawrence Sidbury, Travian Robertson

Linebacker (7): Stephen Nicholas, Akeem Dent, Sean Weatherspoon, Lofa Tatupu, Robert James, Spencer Adkins

Cornerback (6): Brent Grimes, Asante Samuel, Dominique Franks, Dunta Robinson, Christopher Owens, Darrin Walls

Safety (4): Thomas Decoud, William Moore, Charles Mitchell, Shann Schillinger

Kicker (1): Matt Bryant

Punter (1): Matt Bosher

Long Snapper (1): Joe Zelenka

Positions of Strength:

Cornerback: The cornerback group is really now for the Falcons, at least on paper. This group might not be the best tackling group because Samuel is not a great tackler and Grimes is small and not a great tackler either, but they sure can cover. Robinson never developed into the bona-vide #1 cornerback he was suppose to be when he was drafted, but he’s good enough.

Running back-I really like what the Falcons have at running back. Jason Snelling is a nice player, Turner is consistent and solid and I’m a big Rodgers fan. I don’t think the Falcons have to worry about what their running backs will give them in 2012.

Positions of weakness: Defensive line

Outside of Abraham I’m not confident in any of the Falcons defensive linemen, and Abraham is only when he wants to play. They Falcons must get better play from their defensive line if they want to be legitimate superbowl contenders.

Return game?

Do the Falcons have the player(s) to take over for Weems in the return game? That remains to be seen. I’m also not bullish on the Falcons’ WR depth. Jones, White, Douglas is lethal, but an injury there could spell big trouble.

What are your thoughts about the Falcons and the upcoming season?

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