NFC South: Best And Worst Draft Picks By Every Team
Atlanta Falcons
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Vic Beasley (Clemson) poses for a photo after being selected as the number eighth overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Best Pick: OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
This is hardly surprising. When Vic Beasley fell to the Falcons’ laps at No. 8, they had no choice but to pick up the best pure pass rusher the draft had to offer. Not only was this the team’s biggest need, but they also took as good a prospect as they could.
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Beasley leaves Clemson as the all-time sack leader after racking up 33 sacks in the past three seasons.
What makes this pick exciting is Beasley’s burst off the snap and speed to get to the ball carrier. He fits the Seattle Seahawks mold that Dan Quinn is looking to fill the defense with.
For a defense that could barely lay a finger on the quarterback last season, Beasley is a perfect pick to help fix that.
Worst Pick: OT Jake Rodgers, Eastern Washington
This wasn’t a bad pick, but in my opinion it was the ‘worst’ of a very strong draft by the Falcons. When you look through each selection Atlanta made, it makes sense.
You can’t fault the pick of Beasley, Jalen Collins, Tevin Coleman, Justin Hardy or Grady Jarrett.
We’ve spoken about what Beasley brings. Collins also fits that Seahawks mold and could start outside with Desmond Trufant long term, although I expect him to be used in nickel and dime packages early on. Coleman is an explosive back who can transform the ground game; Justin Hardy can become Matt Ryan‘s best friend in the slot; Grady Jarrett looks to be a steal in the fifth round.
Seventh rounder Akeem King has plenty of potential, too. By process of elimination, Jake Rodgers fits in here.
On paper, this was a great draft by the Falcons.