Dimitroff’s Late Round Draft Gems

Value exists anywhere in the draft.  General managers just have to know where to look for it.  Whether a prospect played at a small school, measured small at the scouting combine, or had a small disciplinary problem in college, his NFL talent wasn’t obvious to many and coveted by very few.  Here’s a look at five hidden gems Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff found in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.

2008: LB Kroy Biermann, Montana (5th Round)

Nov 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Kroy Biermann (71) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) as the Falcons beat the Buccaneers 27-17 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Admittedly, I’m not the biggest fan of Kroy Biermann.  While his strengths lie in run stopping and the ability to play multiple front seven positions, I’m often frustrated at his struggles with getting to the quarterback.  The aggravation he causes me on most Sundays is due in large part to how badly I want it for him.  I tend to forget that the former Montana Grizzly has already exceed expectations as a fifth round pick.  The seven-year veteran started in Mike Nolan’s confusing defense and I believe Dan Quinn will find a suitable role for Biermann in his highly anticipated defensive scheme.  Dimitroff found a solid role player in the fifth round of his first draft as Falcons GM.

Dec 1, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Atlanta Falcons center Joe Hawley (61) against the Buffalo Bills at the Rogers Center. Falcons beat the Bills 34 to 31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

2010: C Joe Hawley, UNLV (4th Round)

Joe Hawley could make this list on his Zeus-like beard alone.  After longtime C Todd McClure’s retirement in 2012, Hawley competed through a rough 2013 season for the Falcons to earn the starter role in 2014.  A knee injury cut short a promising season anchoring an improving offensive line under Mike Tice.  Despite being undersized, Joe had no problem demonstrating his nastiness to opposing DT’s.  Though still on the mend from surgery, I get the feeling that Hawley will thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme as Joe is very quick for a center.  Look for Hawley to have a bounce back year for the Dirty Birds in 2015.

2011: RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State (5th Round)

The diminutive tailback from Oregon State played the role of change-of-pace back for the Falcons in the last four seasons.  At 5’6”, ‘Quizz played with a lot of heart during his time in Atlanta.  While he never really racked up the yardage for the Dirty Birds, Rodgers was excellent in pass protection and receiving out of the back field.  He created a lot of mismatches for opponents as they had to account for his ability to disappear behind the offensive line. Falcons country wishes him the best on his new team, the Chicago Bears.

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2011: P Matt Bosher, Miami (FL) (6th Round)

Drafting a punter always feels risky, even if a guy’s a won a Ray Guy Award in college. Bosher made longtime punter Michael Koenen expendable.  Punter is a thankless job, especially on a team that goes three-and-out all the time.  Bosher isn’t the best punter in the NFL, nor is he the worst.  He does just fine for the Falcons. Plus that attempted head stand of his versus the Giants last year was downright hilarious.

Oct 26, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) drives past Detroit Lions outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

2014: RB Devonta Freeman, Florida State (4th Round)

Normally I wouldn’t include a guy coming off his rookie campaign on this type of list, but Devonta Freeman earned the Falcons’ starting RB role this season after last year’s continuous improvement.  Freeman was part of the last BCS National Championship team at Florida State and his quick twitch reflexes excite me for a monstrous progression in year two.  Running backs always seem to find success in a Shanahan offense (Kyle or Mike). Freeman could rush for 1,000 yards in 2015 if the zone blocking scheme works as advertised.