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Revisiting the Atlanta Falcons 2008 NFL Draft

By Justin Winters

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome on January 14, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome on January 14, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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FLOWERY BRANCH, GA – CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Sam Baker of the Atlanta Falcons poses for his NFL headshot circa 2010 at the Falcons Football Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA – CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Sam Baker of the Atlanta Falcons poses for his NFL headshot circa 2010 at the Falcons Football Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) /

The Falcons used their second first-rounder to try and rebuild their offensive line. Did it work out?

The pick: Sam Baker, Offensive Tackle, 21st overall

Their impact: Baker started 61 games for the Falcons after being taken in the first round.

He struggled with injuries throughout his career and never became an elite offensive lineman.

Baker was cut by the Falcons in 2015 but likely would have been cut sooner if he wasn’t a first rounder.

Who else was available that round?: Three Pro Bowl players went in the first round after Baker.

Chris Johnson, who is best known for his 2,000-yard season went 24th overall to the Titans.

Cornerback Mike Jenkins went immediately after Johnson to the Dallas Cowboys.

Last but not least, Duane Brown went 26th overall to the Houston Texans.

All three of these players ended up being better choices than Baker in the long-term.

Johnson finished his career with almost 10,000 rushing yards and was one of the biggest playmakers over the last ten years.

Jenkins never turned into an elite corner, but he did play 40 more games than Baker.

Brown was recently traded to the Seahawks but has started 142 games over the last ten years.

Would they switch the pick?: 100%. I think they’d end up choosing Brown if they could go back in time.

Brown is a four-time Pro Bowler and has been consistent at left-tackle for years.

Baker was out of the league by 2015 and never seemed to take the step towards greatness.

If the Falcons could have taken Brown, they would have had a stud offensive lineman for years to come.

Looking back, it’s easy to say they ended up making a mistake by drafting Baker.

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