Atlanta Falcons Draft Picks: Results, Analysis and Grades

The 2015 NFL draft is finally here, and head coach Dan Quinn's version of the Atlanta Falcons will be making their first set of selections in a new era for the team. They have some real needs that must be addressed, including, but not limited to, pass-rusher, running back, offensive guard and wide receiver. 

Atlanta could turn around a team that went 4-12 in 2013 and 6-10 in 2014 with a great draft this year, and hopefully the picks fit the needs and schemes that Atlanta will be running—schemes will be important to remember when looking into the Falcons picks.

New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan runs a similar offensive style to his father, Mike—the Super Bowl-winning former Denver Broncos coach. It's a zone-blocking style rushing attack that's based around the stretch play and the wide zone combined with West Coast principles for the passing attack.

New defensive coordinator Richard Smith looks like a pawn for coach Quinn to really run the defense. Quinn's defense is a varied-gap 4-3 scheme with two-gap responsibilities on one side and one-gap on the other in the run game, and often features a four-man pass-rushing set in the passing game.

As the picks roll in, we'll provide instant analysis, stats, combine numbers and how these new players fit the new schemes for the Falcons. Follow along all throughout the draft as we get to meet all of the new Falcons!

Current Draft Results and Matt Miller's Big Board

For live updated results and Matt Miller's big board, the information on this page will be instantly updated throughout the draft. 

Round 1, No. 8 Overall: Vic Beasley

Vic Beasley is the best player in the 2015 NFL draft, and much like how Dan Quinn fell right into the Falcons' laps as head coach, Beasley did the same to be Quinn's favorite position: the Leo. Beasley should be an instant starter for the Falcons on a line that was horrible in 2014 at creating pressure.

Atlanta had just 22 sacks in 2014 and was tied for second-worst in the NFL with that number. Take out a New Orleans Saints game where the Falcons had six sacks late in the year, and Atlanta would have been far and away the worst. Beasley should correct this with his ridiculous athleticism and production.

The former Clemson defensive end is also an Atlanta native and will give the Falcons their first true premier pass-rusher since the release of John Abraham after the 2012 season. Beasley needs some work in the run game, but if he can get to average there, he'll be perfect for the Falcons.

Grade: A+

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 6'3" Weight: 246 pounds

Arm Length: 32 ½" Hand Measurement: 9 ⅜"

40-yard dash: 4.53 sec. 10-yard split: 1.59 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.15 sec. Three-cone Drill: 6.91 sec. Bench Reps: 35 reps

Vertical Jump: 41.0" Broad Jump: 10'10"

Stats (from CFB Stats)

2014: 13 Games Played, 34 Tackles, 21.5 Tackles for Loss, 12.0 Sacks, 6 QB Hurries, 2 Fumbles Forced, 1 Fumble Recovered, 3 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown

2013: 13 Games Played, 41 Tackles, 23.0 Tackles for Loss, 13.0 Sacks, 5 QB Hurries, 4 Fumbles Forced, 1 Fumble Recovered, 6 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown

2012: 13 Games Played, 14 Tackles, 8.0 Tackles for Loss, 8.0 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 1 Fumble Forced

2011: 9 Games Played, 1 Tackle

2010: Redshirted

Round 2, No. 42 Overall: CB Jalen Collins, Louisiana State

At first, this pick looks like a bit of a reach because of Jalen Collins' off-field questions. However, the scheme fit makes too much sense, and the Falcons seem to feel they can work with some red flags. Raheem Morris will have his hands full with Collins and should be able to mold him into a starter.

Collins has ideal size for the Falcons' new scheme under Dan Quinn. He's a big, strong cornerback who can play in zone, man and press-man coverages. The Falcons will love his versatility, and should he struggle as a cornerback, he could slide back to safety.

His tall, long frame is similar to how the Seahawks view their corners. His 32 ⅛" arms and 6'1 ½", 203-pound frame are like they came out of the manual for prototypes in the scheme. Atlanta should use him as a right cornerback early and could move on from Robert Alford because of this move.

Grade: B

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 6'1 ½" Weight: 203 pounds

Arm Length: 32 ⅛" Hand Measurement: 9 ⅜"

40-yard dash: 4.48 sec. 10-yard split: 1.50 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.27 sec. Three-cone Drill: 6.77 sec.

Vertical Jump: 36.0" Broad Jump: 10'4”

Stats (from CFB Stats)

2014: 13 Games Played, 38 Tackles, 3.0 Tackles for Loss, 1 Interception, 9 Pass Deflections

2013: 13 Games Played, 22 Tackles, 2 Pass Deflections

2012: 13 Games Played, 30 Tackles, 2 Interceptions, 6 Pass Deflections

2011: 2 Games Played, 3 Tackles, 1 Pass Deflection, Redshirted after an injury

Round 3, No. 73 Overall: RB Tevin Coleman, Indiana

The Atlanta Falcons needed a franchise-caliber running back who could fit within the zone-blocking scheme that they will be running under new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. To address this big need, they waited until the third round and still got a great schematic fit for their needs.

Tevin Coleman is an ideal zone-style back because his entire game is predicated on good vision, great burst and the ability to make people miss. Coleman also has great balance and does a great job of gaining yardage against any defense.

The Falcons will have to help him improve his receiving and pass-blocking abilities, but those come with time in an offense. Coleman fits exactly what a Shanahan running back is supposed to be and could end up being the team's best pick of this already-good draft.

Grade: A+

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 5'11-3/8" Weight: 206 pounds

Arm Length: 32" Hand Measurement: 8-5/8"

Bench Reps: 22 reps

Stats (from CFB Stats)

2014: 12 Games Played, 270 Carries, 2,036 Yards, 15 Touchdowns, 25 Catches, 141 Yards, 1 Tackle

2013: 9 Games Played, 131 Carries, 958 Yards, 12 Touchdowns, 19 Catches, 193 Yards, 6 Kick Returns, 124 Yards, 1 Tackle

2012: 12 Games Played, 50 Carries, 212 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 10 Catches, 71 Yards, 24 Kick Returns, 566 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 3 Tackles

Round 4, No. 107 Overall: WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina

The Falcons needed to bring in a true replacement for Harry Douglas after cutting the longtime Falcon after the 2014 season. Justin Hardy is an ideal fit for the Falcons as a slot receiver in the Kyle Shanahan offense due to his quickness and precision routes.

Hardy isn't just a slot receiver, though. He's an excellent outside receiver who could wind up being a future replacement for Roddy White as the Falcons' No. 2 behind Julio Jones. Hardy has the ability to attack the intermediate and short parts of the defense with his suddenness. 

But he also has underrated deep speed to attack defenses over the top. The Falcons really did well here to take a good value pick in Hardy as well. The only thing that could be a downside of the pick is leaving value like T.J. Clemmings or Michael Bennett out there.

Grade: A

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 5'10-1/4" Weight: 192 pounds

Arm Length: 32-1/8" Hand Measurement: 10"

40-yard dash: 4.56 sec. 10-yard split: 1.57 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.21 sec. 3-cone Drill: 6.63 sec. Bench Reps: 11 reps

Vertical Jump: 36.5" Broad Jump: 9'6”

Stats (from CFB Stats)

2014: 13 Games Played, 121 Catches, 1,494 Yards, 10 Touchdowns, 1 Carry, 7 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 23 Punt Returns, 95 Yards, 1-of-4 Passing (25.0 Percent), 41 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 3 Tackles

2013: 13 Games Played, 114 Catches, 1,284 Yards, 8 Touchdowns, 20 Punt Returns, 225 Yards, 2-of-3 Passing (66.7 Percent), 55 Yards, 1 Touchdown

2012: 13 Games Played, 88 Catches, 1,105 Yards, 11 Touchdowns, 20 Punt Returns, 175 Yards, 2 Tackles

2011: 11 Games Played, 64 Catches, 658 Yards, 6 Touchdowns, 1-of-1 Passing (100.0 Percent), 51 Yards, 2 Tackles

Round 5, No. 137 Overall: DT Grady Jarrett, Clemson

Vic Beasley's college interior pass-rushing foil was just drafted by the Falcons. And the Falcons couldn't have made a better pick. They traded the 185th pick in the draft—a sixth-round pick—to move up six spots and make sure that they could secure one of the best interior pass-rushing talents in the draft.

Grady Jarrett is a perfect fit for the 3-technique in the Falcons defense. He'll start out rotating with Jonathan Babineaux and Ra'Shede Hageman at the 3-technique, but he could also play the 1-technique in pass-rushing downs to give Paul Soliai a breather there.

With this pick, the Falcons have potentially a Geno Atkins-type penetrator. He's also Jessie Tuggle's son and grew up in the Atlanta area. The Falcons have a great fit for their new scheme under head coach Dan Quinn here and continue to make excellent team and scheme fit picks.

Grade: A

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 6'0-3/4" Weight: 304 pounds

Arm Length: 32-3/8" Hand Measurement: 10"

40-yard dash: 5.06 sec. 10-yard split: 1.69 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.56 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.37 sec. Bench Reps: 30 reps

Vertical Jump: 31.0" Broad Jump: 9'5”

Stats (from CFB Stats)

2014: 13 Games Played, 45 Tackles, 10.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.5 Sacks, 4 QB Hurries, 2 Fumbles Forced

2013: 13 Games Played, 59 Tackles, 10.5 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 3 QB Hurries

2012: 13 Games Played, 37 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 5 QB Hurries, 1 Blocked Kick

2011: 9 Games Played, 4 Tackles

Round 7, No. 225 Overall: OL Jake Rodgers, Eastern Washington

At first, this one comes off as a bit of a "Who?" pick. But the more you get into Jake Rodgers' film, the more you can see the traits that make him a true NFL prospect for a pick this late. In the seventh round, it's about getting a scheme fit who can come in and compete for a role as depth.

Rodgers has the ability to play left or right guard within the Falcons' scheme and should be someone who competes for a roster spot easily. He has the athleticism to fit inside within the zone-blocking scheme and is a decent-enough pass-blocker that he'll not be a liability there.

The Falcons could have done much, much worse here. The pick may not be a household name or even a starter long-term. But good, cheap depth is hard to find. If you can get it for four years from a seventh-round pick, the pick is a success.

Grade: B+

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 6'5-3/4" Weight: 315 pounds

Arm Length: 5.24" Hand Measurement: 1.79"

40-yard dash: 5.24 sec. 10-yard split: 1.79 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.81 sec. 3-cone Drill: 8.04 sec. Bench Reps: 24 reps

Vertical Jump: 30.5" Broad Jump: 8'10”

Stats (from his college profile)

2014: 14 Games Started at right guard

2013: 4 Games Started at right tackle, 10 Games Played at guard and tackle

2012: 12 Games Started including games at right guard, right tackle and left guard

2011: Played on the scout team in 2011

2010: Redshirted

Round 7, No. 249 Overall: S Akeem King, San Jose State

It's another pick that makes sense based on what the scheme, need and fit within the scheme is. Atlanta seemingly wanted to get a taller, faster free safety than what it had, and adding Akeem King as a pure athlete gives the team another player who's very similar to Dezmen Southward.

King is a great athlete who has ideal size for a safety and could turn into a true playmaker. The big questions around King are his lack of experience and production within the San Jose State scheme. Atlanta needed to bring in some competition, though, and must love something about him.

That something could be King's talent on special teams as a gunner. Atlanta has a tendency to spend seventh-round picks on talented special teams players who it feels can contribute there early and develop into depth at their natural position later.

Grade: B

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 6'1-1/2" Weight: 215 pounds

40-yard dash: 4.43 sec. 10-yard split: 1.59 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.39 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.08 sec. Bench Reps: 20 reps

Vertical Jump: 37.5" Broad Jump: 10'2”

Stats (from CFB Stats)

2014: 12 Games Played, 71 Tackles, 1.5 Tackles for Loss, 2 QB Hurries, 2 Pass Deflections

2013: 11 Games Played, 15 Tackles, 2 Pass Deflections

2012: 8 Games Played

2011: 2 Games Played

2010: Redshirted