Drafting A Different Atlanta Falcons Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Atlanta Falcons did not have a 1st or a 3rd round draft pick. Because of this, the Falcons really had to maximize the rest of their draft selections, which of course, they did not do in the 2003 NFL Draft. With the 55th overall pick, the Falcons drafted Bryan Scott (S). Scott was a solid player, but was traded after being with the team for three years. The Falcons could have selected a much bigger NFL star instead of Scott. Future Pro Bowl players like Osi Umenyiora (DE), Lance Briggs (LB), Terrence McGee (CB), Asante Samuel (CB) and Jason Witten (TE) were still available.

With their 4th round pick, the Falcons selected Justin Griffith (FB). He was a decent player for the position he plays at, but Atlanta could have grabbed a better player like Robert Mathis (DE) or Donald Lee (TE). In round 5, Atlanta picked Jon Olinger (WR) and it was a terrible pick (he didn't even make the team, thus played in zero games). The Falcons should have drafted Dan Koppen (C) or David Diehl (OT).

LaTarence Dunbar (WR) was selected with the first of two round 6 draft picks. Dunbar only played two seasons with the Falcons. The team should have drafted Cato June (LB). With Atlanta's other 6th round pick, Waine Bacon (CB) was selected, but never played for the Falcons. A better pick here would have been Kevin Walter (WR).

The Falcons also had the chance to draft or sign a few future NFL stars that went undrafted. Tony Romo (QB), Antonio Gates (TE) and Kris Dielman (OG) were not drafted to any NFL team. Romo could have been the guy to take over for Michael Vick after Vick was imprisoned. The Atlanta Falcons left some talent undrafted or unsigned that they could have used on their team.


Summary Of Players The Atlanta Falcons Should Have Acquired In 2003

Asante Samuel
Robert Mathis
Dan Koppen
Cato June
Kevin Walter
Tony Romo
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman

Unlike the previous year, the Falcons have not one but two 1st round draft picks. The 8th overall pick was used on DeAngelo Hall (CB). Initially this selection seemed like a winner. Hall is a multi-time Pro Bowl player, but his abrasiveness to his Atlanta coaches got him traded to the Oakland Raiders. So Atlanta could have drafted a guy that would still be playing for them like a Will Smith (DE), Shawn Andrews (OT), Tommie Harris (DT) or Vince Wilfork (DT).

Atlanta's 29th overall pick was Michael Jenkins (WR). He did not flourish with Michael Vick in control of the team, but his new quarterback, Matt Ryan, will get him more involved into the offense. The Falcons could have considered Chris Cooley (TE), Bob Sanders (SS), Nick Hardwick (C) or Darnell Dockett (DT), but Jenkins could be an impact player with Ryan throwing the ball.

Atlanta had no 2nd round choice, so in round 3 the Falcons made an interesting pick with Matt Schaub (QB). Interesting because Schaub was traded to the Houston Texans before the whole Michael Vick disaster. If Schaub stayed with the Falcons, he could have been the starting quarterback today. Schaub didn't play much for Atlanta, so a better option here would have been Shaun Phillips (LB).

In the 4th round, the Falcons drafted Demorrio Williams (LB) and was not an outstanding talent. The Falcons should have picked Jared Allen (DE), Nathan Vasher (CB) or Jerricho Cotchery (WR). The Falcons selected Chad Lavalais (DT) in round 5 and was a waste of a draft pick (he played only two years for the team). The Falcons should have taken Michael Turner (RB). Turner eventually signed with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2008 after playing behind LaDainian Tomlinson for four years with the San Diego Chargers.


Summary Of Players The Atlanta Falcons Should Have Acquired In 2004

Tommie Harris
Shaun Phillips
Jared Allen
Michael Turner

The Falcons used the 27th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft on Roddy White (WR). White has emerged as one of the elite receivers in 2008 and his stats could improve even more as Matt Ryan becomes more comfortable with the offense. Atlanta actually got this draft pick right.

In round 2, the Atlanta Falcons selected Jonathan Babineaux (DT). Babineaux hasn't really had much production and a second round draft choice should be an elite player, so a better option here would have been Frank Gore (RB) or Justin Tuck (DE).

The Falcons drafted Jordan Beck (LB) in the 3rd round and was a huge waste of a draft pick. Beck played only two years for the Falcons and he never started a game. A much better pick here would have been Marion Barber III (RB), Brandon Jacobs (RB) or Kyle Orton (QB). Round 4 saw Chauncey Davis (DE) selected to the Falcons and he was a disappointing pick (he hasn't been a play-maker). The Falcons should have taken future Pro Bowler Trent Cole (DE).

Michael Boley (LB) was taken in the 5th round and was actually a good pick. He has made plays for the Falcons and has started most of his games. The team had three other draft picks in the 2005 NFL Draft, but none are worthy of mentioning. A few future NFL stars went undrafted, but could have been drafted or signed as free agents by the Falcons. Those players were Ryan Grant (RB), Joshua Cribbs (KR) and Atari Bigby (S).


Summary Of Players The Atlanta Falcons Should Have Acquired In 2005

Justin Tuck
Marion Barber III
Trent Cole
Ryan Grant
Joshua Cribbs
Atari Bigby

1. Michael Turner
2. Matt Ryan
3. Roddy White
4. Jason Elam
5. Michael Jenkins

Again Atlanta had traded away its 1st and 4th round draft picks, so the team really needed to select perfect picks in the 2006 NFL Draft. With the 37th overall pick (2nd round), the Falcons took Jimmy Williams (CB) and it turned out to be really bad selection. Williams played only two years with the Falcons before getting suspended by the NFL for drug use and eventually he was released from the team. The Falcons certainly didn't get any value out of that draft choice. Atlanta should have drafted Devin Hester (KR), Greg Jennings (WR), Marcus McNeill (OT), or Maurice Jones-Drew (RB).

In round 3, Atlanta picked Jerious Norwood (RB). He is an explosive player and a perfect backup running back for the Falcons. Norwood probably could be a starter, but if Michael Turner goes down with an injury, Norwood should be able to carry the load. This was a good pick for Atlanta.

Atlanta selected Quinn Ojinnaka (OT) in the 5th round of the draft and so far has not started many games. He could have been replaced by a better player like Omar Gaither (LB). Adam Jennings (WR) was taken in round 6 and in the three years he played with Atlanta, he totaled only six receptions. Jennings was mostly used on punt returns. A better pick here would have been Antoine Bethea (FS).

In round 7, the Falcons drafted D.J. Shockley (QB). He's currently a bench player and he will likely continue to be a backup with Matt Ryan as the starting quarterback. While it is important to have a backup signal caller, Atlanta had the opportunity to draft another stud receiver in Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The Atlanta Falcons Should Have Acquired In 2006

Devin Hester
Omar Gaither
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

It is always easy to second guess a draft pick after a couple of years, but drafting better is also possible by each NFL team. If the Falcons would have changed a few draft selections, they would have a more talented and deeper team able to withstand injuries, suspensions and prison terms.

Below is the Atlanta Falcons "dream team," which is based on team needs and draft locations.

Tony Romo (QB)

Michael Turner (RB)
Brandon Jacobs (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Jerious Norwood (RB)

Roddy White (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)
Michael Jenkins (WR)
Kevin Walter (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Marcus McNeill (OT)

Justin Tuck (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Tommie Harris (DT)

Shaun Phillips (LB)
Cato June (LB)
Michael Boley (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)

Antoine Bethea (FS)
Atari Bigby (S)
Nathan Vasher (CB)
Asante Samuel (CB)

Joshua Cribbs (KR)