Reviewing the Atlanta Falcons draft picks

Julio Jones/WR- the Falcons made a splash at the NFL Draft by trading five picks to the Cleveland Browns for the 6 th pick. With that pick they selected Alabama receiver Julio Jones. I expect Julio Jones to be an early favorite for NFC Rookie of the Year, because he is just that talented and he will make the Falcons offense that much more explosive. With Jones teams will not be able to double team Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez, and load up the box on Michael Turner. In the end this is a perfect situation Julio Jones is entering, because he’s not being asked to be a number one receiver which won’t put a lot of pressure on him.

Akeem Dent/LB- A very productive linebacker while at the University of Georgia I believe analysts are not giving Dent the respect he deserves. There is nothing spectacular or flashy about how Dent plays, but he does everything well. With the uncertainty if the Falcons will resign Stephen Nicholas or Mike Peterson, Dent will probably be called upon to play big minutes on defense for the Falcons.

Jacquizz Rodgers/RB- If there was one area of weakness the Falcons running backs had it was speed. Michael Turner and Jason Snelling are power runners, and Jerious Norwood tore his ACL Week 2 vs. the Cardinals. With Jacquizz Rodgers, the Falcons now have a running back that can compliment Turner and Snelling’s power with speed. Expect Jacquizz Rodgers to contribute to the Falcons offense early and often.

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Matt Bosher/P- This pick drew criticism from analysts and fans of why the Falcons drafted a punter when they have Michael Koenen, then rumors surfaced that Koenen is looking for a big payday for a punter that the Falcons are not willing to pay. Bosher is very talented though, he made the All-ACC first team once, and the All-ACC second team twice. If the Falcons don’t resign Koenen, Bosher will likely be the new punter.

Andrew Jackson/OL- since Thomas Dimitroff became the Falcons General Manager in 2008 he has drafted a number of offensive linemen, and we are now starting to know why. The Falcons have three free agents on the starting offensive line: Justin Blalock, Harvey Dahl, and Tyson Clabo. Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo are expected to ask for big money after both are coming off good 2010 seasons. I only see Justin Blalock returning to the Falcons out of the three, because Dahl and Clabo are going to draw attractions from numerous teams. This will leave two open spots along the Falcons offensive line. Jackson will definitely get a chance once training camp starts.

Cliff Matthew/DE- I look at this pick, and feel that this will be the pick that people will look back in five years, and wonder why Matthews wasn’t selected higher than 7 th round. Matthews has a high motor, and had a big senior year with 7 sacks at South Carolina. He comes in the NFL raw, and definitely needs to work on his technique, but the potential for Matthews is very high.

By: Steven Virden
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer