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Atlanta Falcons: Quick Hit Reaction to each pick in the 2017 Draft Class

By Erik Sandelin

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Takkarist McKinley (UCLA) is selected as the number 26 overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Takkarist McKinley (UCLA) is selected as the number 26 overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here’s my initial impressions of the Faclons’ 2017 draft class:

Atlanta Falcons first round pick at EDGE, Takkarist McKinley – liked the position being addressed with the pick. Liked the player selected to address the position. Not really sure I liked trading up to get him, though. He might still have been there at 31. If not, maybe T.J. Watt, Jordan Willis, or Derek Rivers. Or even a guard in Forrest Lamp if none of the edge rushers left met the team’s requirements. Still, I give this pick a B+.

Linebacker Duke Riley – again, liked the position and the player selected to fill the position. Surprised outside linebacker was taken over guard, though, especially if they hadn’t traded down. Dan Feeney had fallen in to their laps. Going to be curious to see how they get Riley on the field at the same time with Deion Jones and De’Vondre Campbell, as head coach Dan Quinn has said they’ll do. A solid B.

Sean Harlow – here’s the Guard. The powers that be clearly feel more comfortable with Wes Schweitzer, Hugh Thornton or Ben Garland than anybody else, as I don’t see Harlow having a chance to start this year. I think he’s going to be groomed to replace Andy Levitre. Felt this pick was about a round early for Harlow, too, but he was a former recruit of Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian, so… I’ll give it a C.

Corerback Damonte Kazee – my first reaction was, “Why a Cornerback? And why a small one? I thought we liked big corners?” The more I think about it, though, I think Kazee is going to be tried at free safety, where he has a decent chance to unseat Ricardo Allen for the starting job. With the move of Kemal Ishmael to outside linebacker, though, I would’ve thought we’d be looking at strong safeties. C+

Running back Brian Hill – I’ve been wanting Atlanta to take a big back for a couple of years now. They need somebody to be a short-yardage / goal line specialist, and I think Hill fits the bill. B-

Tight end Eric Saubert – I understand that Jacob Tamme is gone, but the Falcons still have Austin Hooper, Levine Toilolo, D.J. Tialavea, and Joshua Perkins, so why draft a tight end? Doesn’t hte team still need a swing tackle? Nevertheless, Saubert has a considerable amount of raw talent that can be developed. C+

For what it’s worth, and fully knowing that hindsight is 20/20, here’s what I would have done this past weekend in the Atlanta Falcons draft:

Must Read: Three Questions for the Falcons 2017 Draft Class

1/31) Forrest Lamp OG Western Kentucky

2/63) Jordan Willis DE Kansas St

3/95) Rayshawn Jenkins SS Miami (Fl.)

4/136) Blair Brown LB Ohio

5/174) Elijah Hood RB North Carolina

7/249) Aviante Collins OL Texas Christian