Atlanta Falcons: Top 10 All-Time Draft Classes – #6
Today, we continue our “Falcons 50” countdown. Staff writer Eric Robinson has been counting down the Atlanta Falcons’ best ever draft classes, and now moves onto No. 6.
You can find the full list of “Falcons 50” posts here.
The countdown of the top 10 all-time draft classes has now landed at #6. In this class, we see a wideout taken late in the first round who transformed from a unknown, raw talent to a pillar in Falcons history and a reliable defender on the defensive line who has carved out a solid career in Atlanta.
Without further ado, here’s number 6.
6. 2005 – Notable names: Roddy White, Jonathan Babineaux
1. Roddy White, WR
2. Jonathan Babineaux, DT
3. Jordan Beck, LB
4. Chauncey Davis, DE
5. Michael Boley, LB
5. Frank Omiyale, T
6. DeAndra Cobb, RB
7. Darrell Shropshire, DT
At 27th overall in the 2015 draft, Roddy White was selected out of UAB. Initially, White was an unknown pass catcher. However, White posted a respectful career at college, catching 163 passes for 3,112 yards and 26 TDs.
He immediately established himself as a rookie to the tune of 29 catches, 446 yards and three TDs. During the 2007 season, we witnessed White take that next step to establish himself as a No. 1 receiver posting 83 catches, 1,202 yards and six scores. White used the 2010 season to post career highs in catches with 115, yards with 1,389 yards, and ten TDs.
White is still active as a Falcon however he is already the Falcons all-time receiving leader in catches (765) , yards (10,357), and touchdowns (62) while also being voted to four Pro Bowls and one first team All-Pro. White also has the most 1,000 yard seasons in Atlanta history with six.
The 2005 draft also gave us a solid, consistent talent along the defensive line in Jonathan Babineaux. Drafted in the second round out of Iowa, Babs has been a reliable plug on the defensive line as he has started 123 out of a possible 153 games in ten year career.
Babineaux has posted career totals of 256 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 21 pass deflections, and ten fumble recoveries over his career. At 281 pounds, Babineaux also showed a skillset of versatility as he has lined up and both defensive end spots as well as defensive tackle.
LB Michael Boley was selected in the fifth round of this same draft and overcame initial reports that he was too small for the linebacker position. Boley totaled 67 solo tackles and three sacks in 2006, and posted a career-high of 93 solo tackles in 2007 while also totaling three sacks.
We go back to the nineties in tomorrow’s edition, so stay tuned for the Falcons’ fifth best draft class of all-time.