NFL Draft: Why Matt Ryan Was A Risky Pick For Atlanta

When the Atlanta Falcons selected Matt Ryan with the third pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, they took a massive risk for an already struggling franchise.

A lot more went into the Falcons' selection of Matt Ryan than just their evaluation of his talent.

There were rumors flying up until the minute the Falcons actually submitted their draft card with Matt Ryan's name on it.

Word spread from the Falcons' war room that the team's scouts and General Manager Rick McKay wanted to select Glen Dorsey.

Dorsey, who was selected fifth by Kansas City, is widely regarded as the most physically talented player in the draft.

Dorsey would have been a far less risky pick for the Falcons.

With Dorsey's strength and speed, he is almost certain to make an immediate impact in the NFL.

But Dorsey is a defensive tackle, and although the position is the backbone of any defense, it's not the most glamorous position on the football field.

Falcons owner Arthu    r Blank was determined to put a fresh face on the franchise after the team's horrific season last year and the Michael Vick fiasco.

Blank won out and the Falcons went with Ryan, a far riskier pick but a more traditional 'Franchise' player.

Ryan was the third overall pick in the draft and the first quarterback taken, which will equate to a massive contract.

Ryan could very well be the highest paid player to come out of the 2008 draft.

The Falcons have already further invested in Ryan by trading for an additional first-round pick which they used to draft USC offensive tackle Sam Baker, with the obvious intention of protecting Ryan.

Ryan will require a huge investment by the Falcons for a player who might not have the talent to be the franchise player they seek.

Picking a quarterback in the first round, investing tens of millions of dollars in guaranteed money in him, and having him turn out as a bust can debilitate a football team for several years.

Matt Ryan was without question the best quarterback in the draft, but that doesn't necessarily translate into being a great NFL quarterback.

Ryan was the best player at the highest profile position in this particular draft class, thus making him more of a hot commodity than his actual talent on the field should have indicated.

Ryan's arm strength has been continuously questioned throughout the NFL Combine and various workouts.

Ryan also threw a large number of interceptions at Boston College.

His somewhat weak arm, along with his tendency to be reckless with the football,  could be a formula for a very large number of interceptions in the NFL. That's not something you want from your franchise quarterback.

Ryan could very well work out for the Falcons and be a legitimate franchise player for them. But he was a risky pick for the team.

The Falcons got their player for the front of their 2008 media guide, but it might have been at a cost that this struggling franchise really cannot bear.