10 Best Draft Picks in Atlanta Sports History
Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches the ball prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
With the NFL Draft this weekend, it got me thinking back at who some of the best draft picks in Atlanta sports history have been? Who did we draft and develop into a great player in Atlanta? There have been a lot of great players come through the capital of the south, but not all of them were acquired via the NFL, NBA or MLB draft.
Before diving in, we have to get a few names out of the way, and clarify their origins before becoming starts in the ATL.
Undrafted:
- Jessie Tuggle
- Javy Lopez
It’s pretty incredible these two guys who were part of the core of their teams that won a World Series and went to the Superbowl went undrafted! But they were, and it was great scouting to pick these long time Atlanta heroes up.
Drafted, but traded:
- Brett Favre
- Pau Gasol
These two were great draft picks by the Falcons and Hawks, but they did their damage elsewhere. Farve did play one year in Atlanta as a backup before being traded, while Gasol went to Memphis before every playing a game.
Acquired before beginning their career:
- Dominique Wilkins
- John Smoltz
These two Hall-of-Famers started their long careers in Atlanta, but the Hawks and Braves did not draft them. Wilkins was drafted by the Jazz and acquired by the Hawks a few months later, and Smoltz was traded for while in the minor leagues.
Free agents:
- Greg Maddux
- Michael Turner
There have been some great players who’ve made a significant long term impact on Atlanta sports like Maddux and Turner, but they weren’t drafted here.
Also, before we get started, here are some honorable mentions:
Jamal Anderson, Falcons (1994: 7th round) – integral part of the 1998 Superbowl team and had four 1,000 yard seasons in eight years with Atlanta.
David Justice, Braves (1985: 4th round) – Rookie of the Year in 1990 and major part of the franchise from 1991-96 in Right Field. He hit the home run in Game 6 that won the 1995 World Series.
Moving up the board….
- Julio Jones
- Jeff Teague
These two have had great starts to their career, and if it continues they’ll certainly be in the top 10…but as for now they just missed the cut.
Let’s get started!