ATL All Day
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Revisiting the Atlanta Falcons 2011 NFL Draft

By Justin Winters

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Offensive tackle Tyron Smith #77 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Offensive tackle Tyron Smith #77 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 21: Running back Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by outside linebacker Paul Worrilow #55 and middle linebacker Akeem Dent #52 of the Atlanta Falcons during a game at the Georgia Dome on November 21, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 21: Running back Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by outside linebacker Paul Worrilow #55 and middle linebacker Akeem Dent #52 of the Atlanta Falcons during a game at the Georgia Dome on November 21, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

With no second round pick, the Falcons went after defense in round three. Was it a smart pick?

The pick: Akeem Dent, Linebacker, 91st overall

Their impact: Dent played three years in Atlanta, and made 20 starts.

He had over 100 tackles but that was the majority of his impact.

Dent was never an impactful player for the Falcons defense, especially considering K.J. Wright went a few picks later.

The Falcons dropped the ball on this one.

Who else was available that round?: This comes down to Joe Barksdale or Chris Conte.

Barksdale has been a solid player on the offensive line but was never an all-star.

He’s started over 70 games since being drafted and has appeared in nearly 100.

Conte has appeared in over 100 games and has racked up 456 tackles.

He also has 14 interceptions and 40 pass deflections.

Would they switch the pick?: Yes.

Dent was a below-average player in Atlanta and likely shouldn’t have seen starting action.

He never developed his game throughout his three years and was a bad pick.

Barksdale seems like the better pick here due to the lack of good offensive lineman in the league.

He would likely man the right tackle spot and form a good tackle combo with Smith.

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