Atlanta Falcons: Complete 2015 NFL Draft Wrap-Up and Analysis

The Atlanta Falcons might have just had their best draft in the history of the team. It's a draft that the Falcons needed to get the most out of, and all of the picks were simple, logical and fit the team. When it comes to the Falcons' short-term future, they just gave themselves a better chance at the playoffs in 2015.

As for the Super Bowl aspirations that the Falcons have long-term, this was a great first step. Atlanta getting the best pass-rusher in the draft was the biggest move that it could have made. The only other thing that could have made this draft better was a true starting left guard.

The Selections

When running down the selections quickly, Atlanta looks to have gone with a simple view of fitting the player to the need within the scheme. The Falcons went out and got their premier pass-rusher with the first-round selection in "Leo" defensive end Vic Beasley.

They then got a big physical cornerback in Jalen Collins to start at right cornerback within new head coach Dan Quinn's more physical scheme. They followed it with the selection of Tevin Coleman to start at running back for new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan within the zone-blocking scheme.

In the fourth round, the Falcons went and got the best possible replacement they could have for Harry Douglas with the selection of Justin Hardy. Then, in a surprising move, they traded up for the son of Jessie Tuggle at the top of the fifth round in Grady Jarrett to play at defensive tackle.

The Falcons made a selection to enhance the offensive line depth in Jake Rodgers out of Eastern Washington with a pick that made sense for the zone scheme. To round out the draft, the Falcons took Akeem King to compete for a roster spot at safety.

Best Pick: DE Vic Beasley

When you can get the best player in the NFL draft, you have to do it. The Falcons did that with Vic Beasley out of Clemson. They waited for him to fall to their pick at No. 8 and swooped in to take the best possible fit for their scheme. Beasley should instantly be an impact player in the Falcons defense.

He's a prolific pass-rusher who could give Atlanta its first real premier pass-rusher since the John Abraham release. Beasley could be used in a very similar format to how Abraham was used in 2012, where he has his hand in the dirt at times and rushes standing up as well.

Atlanta should be able to run more 3-3-5 and 2-4-5 nickel sets with Beasley and Brooks Reed on the roster to give offenses varied looks to attack. The Falcons finally have the edge-rusher that they needed for a long time in Beasley, and if he lives up to expectations, we might see him in the Ring of Honor in a decade.

Worst Pick: CB Jalen Collins

When the Falcons selected Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant two seasons ago, they both looked to be the new long-term solutions at cornerback. And outside of a wrist injury in 2014, Alford still looked like someone who should start at cornerback for the Falcons.

That's what makes the pick of Jalen Collins a bit puzzling at first. That and the fact that Collins failed multiple drug tests at LSU for smoking marijuana. However, the Falcons switching schemes with their new head coach, Dan Quinn, makes Collins a much better starting fit than Alford is.

Collins has that perfect body type and quickness for what Quinn wants in his cornerbacks. This pick was still a good pick for the Falcons, but in the context of Atlanta's picks as a whole, it was the only one that could have been considered a real head-scratcher.

What the Experts Are Saying

Dan Kadar, Mocking the Draft

After the first two days, Dan Kadar of Mocking the Draft graded all of the drafts. He was very complimentary on the Falcons' draft saying the following:

"

The Falcons are doing a rebuild under new head coach Dan Quinn the exact right way. With their first three picks, the Falcons added impact players who perfectly fit the scheme. They're getting good value too -- Coleman in the third round was a great get. He should be able to take over the starting job as a rookie.

Overall grade: A-

"

The Falcons definitely had three impact players on the first two days of the draft. They somehow wound up with three potential starters out of the three picks. He noted that Coleman was the Falcons' best pick, and while I disagree with that slightly, Coleman is a close second-best to the pick of Vic Beasley.

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

Matt Miller has been singing the praises of Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli's draft plans throughout the entire draft. Near the middle of the second day, he posted the following on Twitter:

"

The @AtlantaFalcons are crushing it.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 2, 2015"

And I have to agree with him. The Falcons made such an impact with their first five selections that the pair of seventh-round selections could have been anyone and still have been great picks. Atlanta needed to have a good draft, and they definitely did. The future is looking bright in Atlanta.

Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball

Walter Cherepinsky has been in the draft analysis community for years and has been an inspiration to many who have moved on and surpassed him in notoriety. Walter is a respected mind and really knows the game. He noted an inconsistency with one of the Falcons' picks noted here:

"

107. Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina: A- Grade 
This is a bit surprising to me because Justin Hardy doesn't possess the sort of athleticism the Falcons look for in their draft prospects. I guess they considered him too good to pass up, as he easily could've gone in the third round. Hardy projects as a solid slot receiver, so he should be able to replace Harry Douglas.

"

Walter is completely right here. The Falcons have been looking at exceptional athletes throughout the 2015 draft, and Hardy is a bit of a misfit to that thought. But when it comes to production and quickness, the Falcons see the fit with Hardy, and the pick makes much more sense with Hardy's intangibles included.

What's Left to Address?

Chris Keane/Associated Press

Despite having one of their better drafts, the Falcons still have a couple of holes that they need to address either in free agency or through trade. The following spots are where the biggest needs are after the draft failed to address them:

Tight End

Levine Toilolo was woeful as a tight end for the Falcons in 2014. He had trouble reading the defenses and finding the right holes in zones. Atlanta needs to improve from him. They did go out and sign Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki while also bringing back Mickey Shuler for competition.

However, they should look into a couple of different options in free agency once they get healthy like Jermaine Gresham and Zach Miller. Either one of them could come in and start right away as a stop-gap until the Falcons can draft their long-term tight end in 2016.

Free Safety

Going into the draft, the thought was that the Falcons coaching staff just didn't like Dezmen Southward at free safety. If that is true and they don't think that he can play there and want to move him to corner, then the Falcons really need to address the free safety position.

However, without taking a single safety in the draft, there is the possibility that the Falcons go with Southward at corner. Another option is a cornerback trio of Southward, Desmond Trufant and Jalen Collins with Robert Alford moving back to free safety in an Earl Thomas role.

Left Guard

The Falcons didn't take a single guard in the entire draft despite having the ability to fill this hole multiple times. Atlanta needs to at least bring in an undrafted free agent of some sort to compete for this position. The current Falcons left guard competition is a collection of names that shouldn't inspire anyone.

Peter Konz is a draft bust who hasn't been able to keep a starting job at center and has looked pathetic at guard. Mike Person is a career backup who signed with Atlanta this offseason. Harland Gunn is a career backup for the Falcons who will likely continue there. And Sam Baker should be cut.

Final Grade

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

The Falcons had their best draft of the Thomas Dimitroff era in 2015. A big reason for this had to do with the vision that Dan Quinn has for his team. He has a fit and profile for every single spot on his roster and doesn't have to rely on his assistants for that like Mike Smith did.

Quinn's vision made the Falcons draft look decisive, distinctive and like they went out and got seven guys who will contribute in one way or another to the 2015 team. The Falcons have some talent now at spots where it had been missing for a long time. They finally have a top pass-rusher in Vic Beasley.

They have a star running back again with Tevin Coleman. And they enhanced depth all throughout the offense and defense with the draft. The only spot that the Falcons truly missed on was finding a starting left guard. But that can be fixed if the scheme masks the issues of whoever wins the guard competition.

Overall Grade: A

All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.

Follow @ScottCarasik