Atlanta Falcons Draft

This past weekend was the NFL draft so I will take a minute to review their class:

Round 1 Jamaal Anderson - a quick defensive end who left arkansas after his junior year, should come in and contribute immediatly. I like the pick.

Round 2 Justin Blalock - a guard/tackle from Texas. He too should provide immediate help and be a ten year starter and possible eventual pro bowler. Again, I like the pick.

Round 2 Chris Houston - a corner from Arkansas. Like the pick from the standpoint that we need corner help and he has pro bowl potential, however, he is compared to former razorback Ahmad Carroll who like Houston took too many chances and was weak in zone coverage. Chris needs some work and unfortuantly does not have the best role model in Deangelo Hall who in my mind is one of the most overrated players in the NFL. This was not a great draft for corners. I am iffy on this pick.

Round 3 Laurent Robinson - a WR from div 2 Illinois State - ok, hes a burner and the falcons need wr help but I hate the pick with a guy like Andre Caldwell from FL on the board who is equally as fast and has played SEC caliber competition. Also, with a guy like Charles Johnson, DE from UGA on the board, I hate this pick. The best way to hide a flawed secondary is get pressure on the QB. BAD PICK IN MY MIND!

Round 4 Stephen Nicholas - a LB from South Florida, he is an all around LB who can run and tackle and has a nastry streak. I like the pick. I think the guy can provide depth and eventually be a quality starter.

Round 4 Martrez Milner - TE from UGA, don't like the pick, saw him for years at UGA and he is not a great blocker and he has questionable hands at best. I don't know what the Falcons saw in him. Don't like the pick.

Round 6 Trey Lewis - DT Washburn, he's a big body but I think he is a huge project at best, that said he will be learning from one of the best in Rod Coleman. Jury's out.

Round 6 David Irons - CB Auburn, love this pick, saw David for two years at Auburn, he plays with a lot of heart and is a very solid corner. I think when its all said and done he may outperform Chris Houston who was a second rounder. Love the pick!

Round 6 Doug Datish, center, Ohio St., like the pick he was highly rated coming out of hs and played well at Ohio St., he's a smart kid who can get stronger. Another kid, who should provide quality depth and eventually start. Like the pick.

Round 6 Darren Stone, saftey, possible outside LB, from Maine, kid has good speed 4.47 40, and is apparantly a hard hitter, obviously you get in the sixth round and your starting to guess based on potential. Falcons need saftey help for sure. At best this year he could help on special teams.

Round 7 Jason Snelling, fullback, Virginia, in Bobby Petrino's offense fullback is key and hopefully this kid can grow into solid depth/possible starter eventually. 7th round is a total shot in the dark most of the time.

Overall, I give this draft a C. While they addressed needs, I would have loved to have had Charles Johnson in the third round. Also, Adrian Peterson would have been a real steal had he falled one more spot and gotten by Minnesota. I don't see any real game breakers in this group but I can see 5 of these guys eventually starting for this team which would be very solid. We got better in the trenches for sure.