Redrafting the Atlanta Falcons 2017 draft class

Pick 149 – Original Pick: Damontae Kazee New Pick: Damontae Kazee

The Atlanta Falcons made the right pick with Kazee at this spot. He was a home run draft pick given his versatility and ability that he has shown during the course of his Falcons career. He is the best pick of the 2017 draft for the Atlanta Falcons which is why they are in trouble. Your best pick should not come in the fifth round of a draft and the Falcons had this happen several times now, including 2015.

Pick 156 – Original Pick: Brian Hill New Pick: Brian Hill

Like Damontae Kazee, this pick was a good one for the Atlanta Falcons. Hill struggled some in his first season, especially catching the ball out of the backfield. He has improved a lot over his first three years in the league and now is on the verge of forcing the Falcons to cut Devonta Freeman as they think Hill can carry the load as part of a three-headed backfield with Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison.

Pick 174 – Original Pick: Eric Saubert New Pick: Xavier Woods

The drafting of Eric Saubert was head-scratching even back in 2017. There is no need to use hindsight on this one. He never looked like an NFL tight end even when playing amongst the third and fourth string players in NFL preseason games.

Saubert was a guy that should have been cut after his first preseason, but the Falcons held on to him as long as possible and eventually traded him in 2019 to the New England Patriots, who then released him before the season. He spent the 2019 season on the Raiders practice squad before signing with the Bears offseason roster in November of 2019.

Xavier Woods has started 33 games at corner and safety for the Cowboys and logged five interceptions, 17 passes defended along with several forced fumbles. Along with Kazee, he would have helped give Atlanta a versatile and deep secondary, which is something they are still looking for.