Grading Dimitroff’s 2nd and 3rd Round Picks

After yesterday’s post about how Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff has fared with his first round selections, it occurred to me that Dimitroff’s second and third round choices deserved some investigation.  While the Falcons front office drafted well in the first round under Dimitroff’s supervision, there has been greater concern for how TD has drafted during day two.

I will still use the same plus/minus scale to assess a grade on the Falcons’ second and third round picks.  Keep in mind that the scale becomes more lenient the further into the draft we go.  Second round picks should start and third round picks should carve out a role in the team’s rotation.  Also unless it’s painfully obvious, hindsight over not drafting a future Pro Bowler in rounds two or three versus the actual selections won’t play a major part in this group’s assessment.  Tom Brady was not going in the first round in 2000.

2008: LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma (37th Overall)

This was a great pick by Thomas Dimitroff.  The Junior out of Oklahoma played very well in the Falcons LB corps for a few seasons.  He was a playmaker all over the field and Falcons fans were sad to see him go on and play for the hated Saints in 2012.  Lofton took Atlanta’ decision to move on from him extremely personally and played livid every time the Falcons and Saints squared off.  Curtis signed with the Oakland Raiders this offseason to anchor a young but talented LB Corps in the Bay Area.  Expect Lofton to aid in developing Khalil Mack and Sio Moore during Jack Del Rio’s first season as Raiders HC.

The only dumb move made by the Falcons with Lofton was letting him go.  Atlanta has never really been able to recreate the Oklahoman’s production.  Although they played the same position, I would have liked to have seen Lofton play with Sean Weatherspoon in a 3-4.  But Smitty wasn’t having any of that nonsense.

Grade: 85, B

2008: CB Chevis Jackson, LSU (68th Overall)

I completely forgot that the Falcons drafted Chevis Jackson.  He played two seasons with the Dirty Birds in a light rotational role.  Being that he was part of a National Championship team at LSU, you would think that he could have brought his winning ways to Atlanta.  Instead the Falcons released him after two years and played in just two more professional games before being out of the league.  If the Jacksonville Jaguars post-David Garrard can’t use you, that speaks volumes.

Grade: 45, F

Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) catches a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

2008: WR Harry Douglas, Louisville (84th Overall)

Harry Douglas worked his tail off as a Falcon to become an important piece in the Dirty Birds receiving corps.  His versatility to play in the slot and outside made it possible for Douglas to have a 1,000 yard receiving season in 2013.  Under the tutelage of WRs coach Terry Robiskie, Harry made himself into a great third receiver.  What his impact will be for the Tennessee Titans on account of instability at the quarterback position is uncertain.  Dimitroff got the most out of the former Louisville WR during his time in Atlanta.

Grade: 91, A-

2008: S Thomas DeCoud, California (98th Overall)

This was a decent third round selection made by Dimitroff’s Falcons.  DeCoud had a career year in 2012, ballhawking his way to a Pro Bowl selection.  He and SS William Moore highlighted a strong secondary for the Falcons en route to a 2012 NFC Championship appearance. DeCoud drastically declined in 2013.  His inability to tackle consistently from the safety position forced him out of town and on to rival Carolina’s porous secondary in 2014.  As good as 2012 was for DeCoud, it was as bad in 2013. His diminishing skill set has him still looking for a new team this offseason.

Grade: 84, B