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NFL Draft: Every team’s biggest first round bust of last ten years

By George Stockburger

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Robert Griffin III (R) from Baylor holds up a jersey as he stands on stage with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after Griffin was selected #2 overall by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 26, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Robert Griffin III (R) from Baylor holds up a jersey as he stands on stage with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after Griffin was selected #2 overall by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 26, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 16: Peria Jerry #94 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on August 16, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 16: Peria Jerry #94 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on August 16, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

. 2009, 24th overall. . Peria Jerry. . team. 32

What was supposed to be an intriguing addition to a Falcons team that shocked many and went 11-5 in 2008, turned out to be a nightmare for Atlanta since the initial chapter of Peria Jerry’s career.

Jerry was a First Team All-American and All-SEC in 2008 and after being drafted 24th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, the former Ole Miss defensive lineman suffered a season-ending knee injury two games into this career.

He followed up his rookie season with a sophomore campaign in 2010 where he played in all 16 games but earned no starts and posted just eight tackles and two sacks.

MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 24: Peria Jerry #98 of the South Team celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery against the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 24, 2009 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for Under Armour)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 24: Peria Jerry #98 of the South Team celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery against the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 24, 2009 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for Under Armour) /

Year three produced even less for Jerry with just seven tackles in 16 games of play. Over the course of just five seasons in the NFL, Jerry totaled just 29 starts in 64 games played, with a very underwhelming 5.5 sacks and 51 tackles.

The drafting of Jerry was necessary for the Falcons as they had an aging Grady Jackson at nose tackle and truly need an injection of youth at the position.

The selection of Jerry fell flat early, and an argument could be made that his knee injury set back his development which ultimately led to a very premature career. A case can also be made that the Falcons shot blindly in the dark on this selection and gave an undersized tackle a major role which he was not quite ready for. Either way, it was a complete miss for the franchise.

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