Atlanta Falcons: Frank Darby could be the steal of the 2021 draft

Much like 2015, the Atlanta Falcons may have gotten themselves the steal of the draft a few weeks ago.

When the Atlanta Falcons traded up in the fifth round and took Grady Jarrett, they got themselves the steal of the draft and they may have done the same thing in 2021 when they drafted Frank Darby out of Arizona State.

Somehow the Falcons were able to land one of the best receivers in college football in the sixth round – that doesn’t happen very often.

The biggest concern about Frank Darby was his catch radius and the ability to catch the ball outside his frame – though he was among the leading receivers in the country at yards per catch – almost 20 yards a reception. There wasn’t a better deep ball threat in college football.

At the senior bowl, he ran a 4.57 40-yard dash but his 4.05 short shuttle time would have been among the best times over the last half dozen combines.

Darby will bring a lot of energy to the Atlanta Falcons

If you missed any of the reports about the Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp, then you missed the videos of Darby dancing around during drills. He exudes the confidence people want to see on that level and undoubtedly brings a spark to the receiver room even as a rookie.

https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1392520277922299904

He is used to being a highlight reel – that is all he was at Arizona State under former NFL head coach Herm Edwards.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein had this to say about Darby –

"Darby’s deep-ball production is unquestioned, but he’s one of the rare prospects who can look very good or very bad when tracking throws down the field. His top-end speed will create cushions and open up some intermediate throws for him, but the route-running still needs work."

Sounds like the perfect complement to Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones, and first-round pick Kyle Pitts if you asked us.