Atlanta Falcons 2021 Draft Grade
How we think the Falcons did with a brand new GM and a lot of team needs
As all NFL fans know. The draft was this past weekend. Dreams came true, dreams were crushed, and some dreams still have yet to be determined. This was the very first draft for the Falcons new GM Terry Fontenot. There were a lot of questions about which direction he would go and what emphasis he would put on what position and all those questions were finally answered. The media as a whole has given great grades to the Falcons draft so we are going to take a look and see what I a bonafide fan / reporter thinks.
Round 1,Pick 4 - TE Kyle Pitts: B-
Yes that is probably the lowest grade anyone is giving this pick by the Falcons. Everywhere you turn you see “unicorn” or “generational talent”. I don’t doubt those things based on what I saw on his pro-day. The reason for only a B+ is that this was not even close to a true need the Falcons had. After trading for a former first round TE in Hayden Hurst who was just starting to gel with the offense and had a lot of blocking upside, the Falcons threw it away to get what is basically a receiver playing TE. Fontenot did stay true to his mantra of picking the best talent on the board. I just think more draft stock and a good RB is what the Falcons truly needed to be better now.
Round 2, Pick 40 - S Richie Grant: A-
This pick came as a bit of a surprise. After sticking so closely to his guns on picking the best talent on the board in the first round, I feel this went against that strategy. There were many better players still on the board in terms of talent and how high their ceiling was. The reason I still give this an A, is because of the athleticism and speed of the safety. This is a position the falcons have truly struggled in and needed badly. For the Dean Pees offense Richie is a day one starter with immediate impact.
“I want the offense to know that we’re coming from everywhere…. That includes the secondary, I want them to account for every man”. - Dean Pees
After one look at his tape you will know Richie Grant can do exactly what he is talking about.
Round 3, Pick 68 - OL Jalen Mayfield: A+
This pick was an expert level pick by the new GM. The Falcons have needed OL help probably since 2012. So much so, a lot of people had us picking someone up way earlier than the third round. The problem with OL that early is the jump from college to the NFL is such a large one at that position, that most end up being flops. If you don’t believe me just look at the Falcons pathetic O-line it has 5 former first round picks on it. Waiting until the third round keeps a bust from hitting so hard and is still early enough to find some amazing talent. Jalen is a big strong lineman that specializes in…..run block. The thing we have always needed so badly. This is a big time win in my books.
Round 4, Pick 108 - CB Darren Hall: B-
Once again I feel that the best talent on the board was not picked here. I don’t really think he was the best CB on the board. Hall has had his moments, but his lack of true experience in big time games and against big time athletes is going to be hard to overcome. He is quick and he plays smart, but I just don’t see him making the jump to the NFL well. I hope he makes me eat my words and maybe the idea is that he isn’t a year one starter. The only redeeming quality of this pick for Fontenot is that we really needed a CB and he actually got us one.
Round 5, Pick 148 - DT Ta’Quon Graham: B+
This wasn’t a very deep year for pass rushers in the draft. That is tough for the Falcons, seeing as they really need to get Grady Jarrett some help up front. I didn’t expect us to go all out on a pass rush expert so waiting until the 5th wasn’t a surprise. Ta’Quon has a lot of fight and I think has the right mentality, but he isn’t that strong and doesn’t get to the QB very fast. I think he has a lot of potential but definitely not a year one starter and if he doesn’t work hard may not ever be a starter.
Round 5, Pick 182 - DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji: A-
Don’t worry I don’t know how to say it either. It won’t be long before we do know how to I think. This man is a rush defender through and through. He will make a good addition to the rotation for run defense, something that the falcons lacked in 2020. He can contain all day and has the big game mentality coming from a school like Notre Dame. The only issue I see is he is currently slow off the ball but that is easily fixed as long as he is willing to work.
Round 5, Pick 183 - CB Avery Williams: A-
Don’t let the CB I just put by his name fool you, I think this guy is going to be a Swiss army knife for Atlanta. Most of his college highlights are kick returns, with a 4.4 40 yard dash I think we can expect to see some more of that in the NFL. He isn’t the most technically sound CB but he has a walk on mentality, quickness, and strength. I once again like this pick strictly for what Dean Pees is going to do with him. He will likely play a little bit of everywhere eventually, and I like that versatility.
Round 6, Pick 187 - WR Frank Darby: B+
The final pick of the draft for the Falcons was a Wide Receiver. I thought we would get through a whole draft without one but we still couldn’t do it. I feel there were more pressing needs than a WR for the offense. He will make a good 4th or 5th off the bench but I don’t see him as Julio’s successor or a major addition to the offense. Just a solid route runner with decent hands.
Overall Score: B+
Overall the Falcons addressed a lot of needs but also didn’t address what I consider big needs. The Run game is atrocious and without balance the offense will never be able to get into the end zone. I know the scouting team thinks it can be fixed in free agency and trade but it sure would have been nice to work our way down into trading for Najee Harris or Travis Etienne to make a real difference quick. I did enjoy the focus on defense and am excited to see what happens with that. I have faith that the Falcons will be very deep on that side of the ball and have a lot of confusing looks coming at offenses.
While I give the Falcons a B+ (partially knowing I am hyper critical) I give Terry Fontenot an A. He seemed like a seasoned professional out there in his first draft as a GM. He traded back when he needed to and got the talent he saw as the best, while addressing some obvious needs and not getting the all sizzle no steak guys. He got some good solid talent and I am excited to see what happens with all of them. Although, I may be even more excited to see what happens with the un-drafted free agents that are going to get the spotlight in my next article.