Atlanta Falcons: Grades For Final Two Picks, Overall Grade

Individual Draft Grades:

Round 1: Guard: Chris Lindstrom: A-

Round 1: Tackle: Kaleb Mcgary: B-

Round 4: Cornerback: Kendall Sheffield: B-

Round 4: Defensive End: John Cominski: B+

Round 5: Running Back: Qadree Ollison: B

Round 5: Cornerback: Jordan Miller B+

Round 6: Kick Returner: Marcus Green A-

There is the complete Atlanta Falcons Draft class. Click the highlighted name of each player for our coverage on the pick. The Atlanta Falcons filled six of the nine needs that I felt they had coming into this year’s draft. What’s interesting though is the fact that pass rush, one of the team’s three greatest needs, was left unfilled. Former top ten draft pick Vic Beasley, has now posted back to back five sack seasons and Takk McKinley has yet to have the breakout season the front office is expecting. Adrian Clayborn is back, but outside of that magical six sack game against Dallas, he only has six sacks combined in the other 29 games he’s played in.

Another way the Atlanta Falcons could have helped the pass rush is by adding another coverage linebacker. When Pro Bowl middle linebacker Deion Jones was injured last season, Atlanta had a tough time adjusting. Foye Oluokun improved throughout his rookie year and is a quality linebacker. Adding another quality player that can cover at the position, would allow linebacker De’Vondre Campbell to rush the passer more. Campbell has been to the academy of former Falcon turned pass rush guru, Chuck Smith.

John Cominski should help the run defense, especially if he adds ten or more pounds of muscle before the season starts. Last years third round pick Deadrin Senat, will be counted on to be strong at the point of attack and keep double teams away from Grady Jarrett. Rasheed Hegaman who rejoined the team after a two-year hiatus away from football, also provides a big body to clog the middle. He also adds the skill of being able to block field goals on special teams.

The running back position should have a spirited competition in camp. The team is hoping to get a healthy and rejuvenated Devonta Freeman. He was one of the NFL’s best prior to a rash of injuries. Ito Smith is on track to be the primary backup after showing good flashes of talent as a rookie last season. Brian Hill who ran with good power in limited opportunities late last season will complete with rookie Qadree Ollison for a chance to be the team’s short yardage and change of pace power back. Rookie Marcus Green adds a home run threat, that can be used in a plethora of ways.

The Atlanta Falcons had a solid 2019 draft overall. Drafting offensive linemen is never exciting for the casual fan, the moves will pay off in excitement if they pan out. Though I wasn’t fond of Atlanta trading away their third round pick, with the athletic abilities of Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb Mcgary, they should do well at getting to the second level and opening up holes in the run game. Most importantly Matt Ryan will be able to get the ball to his playmakers for many more explosive plays, if he is standing upright in a clean pocket. Ryan was sacked an unacceptable 42 times, and hit over 100 times this year. The first round of this draft was about putting a stop to that!

Atlanta Falcons 2019 Draft Grade: B

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