Blogging Dirty Selects the Best Draft Picks in Atlanta Falcons History

When the NFL released their list of the 75 Most Valuable Draft picks, the Atlanta Falcons had two names on the list. The problem was one of the names (Brett Favre) stayed in Atlanta long enough for ham sandwich before moving on so we can’t really claim him.

I wanted to offer up my choice for the Top Five Falcons Draft Picks in my lifetime. I was born late in 1978 so I used the 1979 Draft as the cutoff point.

"I used two requirements: (1) The player had to be drafted by the Falcons (no post-draft trades). (2) The player had to play at least five years for the Falcons. This means no player drafted after 2005 can make the list yet (Matt Ryan, Curtis Lofton, etc. will have to wait)."

Without further ado, I present

Blogging Dirty’s Top Five Falcons Draft Picks since 1979!

Hit the jump to see who made the list!

"Kerney recently retired after 11 years in the NFL and he ranks #5 on my list. I covered most of this ground previously, but it’s worth reiterating. A tremendous off-the-edge pass rusher, he finished his eight year Falcon career #2 on the team sack list with 58. He started 106 games as a Falcon and made the 2004 Pro Bowl. The memory of #97 is the primary reason there was outcry over the Falcons not drafting a defensive end this year."

"The only third-rounder on the list, Andrews burst onto the scene by leading the Falcons in rushing as rookie. He would repeat that feat four more times including leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage in 1981. A five-time Pro Bowler, Andrews career was cut short in 1984 by a terrible knee injury suffered in the preseason. He finished his career as the Falcons all-time leading rusher with 5,986 yards, a record that would stand until 1987."

"Brooking was a fan favorite and a perfect fit for the Falcons. He was born in Senoia, Georgia and attended Geogia Tech before becoming a first round selection in 1998. In his second season he took over for the departing Cornelius Bennett and become the leader of the Falcons defense. He played in five straight Pro Bowls from 2001-2005 and is currently third all-time on the Falcons tackle list. Brooking was also made the second-team All-Pro team in 2002 and 2004."

"This is not exactly a sexy pick but Whitfield started 167 games over 12 seasons for the Falcons. I have him as the #2 all-time (since 1979) Falcons draft pick because of his consistency at the Left Tackle position. He was exactly what a team hopes for when they choose an Offensive Lineman with the 8th pick in the draft: provide stability on the quarterback’s blind side. He made the Pro Bowl in 1998, the year the Falcons reached Super Bowl 33."

"No surprise here. Neon Deion, Prime Time, or however you know him, Deion Sanders is the #1 Falcons draft pick. The two-sport star arrived in Atlanta with a lot of publicity. He did not disappoint. Playing cornerback and returner, he was a three-time Pro Bowler and made First-Team All-Pro in 1992 and 1993. Sanders was a threat to score on defense and special teams (eight touchdowns) as well as on offense where he registered two touchdowns as a Falcon."

Final Review

Now it’s your turn. Let me know what your memories were of these players. Does my list make sense? Is there someone who should have made it instead? Will any of the draft picks from the 2010 calls make this list eventually? Sound off in the comments or start the conversation on Twitter.