ATL All Day
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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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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – SEPTEMBER 01: Harry Douglas #83 of the Tennessee Titans runs after a catch during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – SEPTEMBER 01: Harry Douglas #83 of the Tennessee Titans runs after a catch during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

With their second third-rounder, the Falcons returned to the offensive side of the ball.

The pick: Harry Douglas, Wide Receiver, 84th overall

Their impact: Douglas played for six years and appeared in 91 games for the Falcons.

He recorded 1,067 receiving yards in 2013, but the Falcons finished 4-12 that year.

Overall, Douglas was solid for a third rounder, but the Falcons missed out on a better player a few picks later.

Who else was available that round?: Cliff Avril went 8 picks after Douglas but has been a much better player in the NFL.

Throughout the last ten seasons, Avril has racked up 300 tackles, 74 sacks, and appeared in 140 games.

He went to the Pro Bowl in 2016 and helped the Seahawks win a Super Bowl.

As mentioned above, the Falcons missed out on Calais Campbell and Avril, who both would have helped their issue with sacks.

Would they switch the pick?: I’d have to say yes. Although Douglas was solid throughout his time in Atlanta, he was never a star.

Avril has two seasons with double-digit sacks and has been taking down quarterbacks since his rookie year.

The Falcons could have completely rebuilt their defense with Avril and Campbell in this hypothetical re-draft.

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