The Falcons opened the NFL draft this weekend by selecting Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, arguably the biggest splash of an offseason filled with change.

Ryan, who said he would wear No. 2, was not followed by jaw-dropping acquisitions that hint of hastening the team's rebuilding process.

The low-key approach of remaking the Falcons resumed with general manager Thomas Dimitroff drafting 11 players, including a Day 1 trade to move up to select offensive tackle Sam Baker.

"A lot of our needs were outline and written down on paper and on our board for the last three months probably," Dimitroff said. "We feel we (addressed) a lot of those needs."

Baker was the only offensive lineman added to a unit clipped by injuries and inconsistent play last season. In fact, Baker was the only interior player drafted over two days by a team said to be building from the inside out.

Also selected to bolster the flanks were cornerbacks Chevis Jackson (LSU) and Wilroy Fontenot (Arizona), linebackers Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma) and Robert James (Arizona State), wide receiver Harry Douglas (Louisville), defensive end/outside linebacker Kroy Biermann (Montana), safety Thomas DeCoud (California), tight end Keith Zinger (LSU) and Georgia running back Thomas Brown.

Ryan, though he might not play immediately, is projected to be the piece around which the Falcons will build. Baker will challenge to start at left tackle. Lofton could move to middle linebacker and allow veteran Keith Brooking to move to his natural weakside linebacker spot, although that decision if far from being made.

Jackson, a strong hitting corner who made plenty of plays against some of the best receivers in college football, enters the mix to start at corner or nickel back. Most of the other players could challenge for rotational jobs.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of how the draft affects Atlanta's roster.

Quarterback

Chris Redman is the starter and Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley will enter minicamp in two weeks as the top backups. That pecking order will change as Shockley and Harrington will battle for a roster spot and Redman will try to run the offense until Ryan is ready to start.

Running back

The addition of Brown could be more for kick-return reasons, but Mike Mularkey might like Brown's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood are atop the depth chart. Ovie Mughelli and Corey McIntyre have the fullback situation locked down.

Wide receiver

The selection of Douglas in the third round could mean that Joe Horn, Adam Jennings and/or Brian Finneran could be in jeopardy. Douglas could emerge as a shifty slot receiver. If Horn is moved down the depth chart, he might prefer playing elsewhere and the team could oblige. Roddy White and Laurent Robinson are the starters and Michael Jenkins could be the third wideout.

Tight end

Ben Hartsock is the blocker and Martrez Milner is the blocker and receiver. The addition of Zinger will be for much-needed depth at this vital position in Mularkey's offense.

Offensive line

Baker was picked to take over at left tackle. Who will line up next to him has yet to be decided as last season's starter, Justin Blalock, was moved to right tackle in a pre-draft minicamp — possibly as an experiment. Right tackle Todd Weiner is still questionable after knee surgery. Center Todd McClure and right guard Kynan Forney are the only players in place. It's somewhat surprising the Falcons didn't add more through the draft.

"I think that group took some hits last year," coach Mike Smith said. "There were some injuries. I could tell you this, when your offensive line doesn't stay together and stay healthy you've got a much better chance of playing efficiently. I think these guys that we've got are good, solid football players in terms of their athletic ability, strength. If we get the right mix and match together, we're going to have a unit out there that's going to go out there, play hard and compete every day."

Defensive line

The Falcons went from having a shot at LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey to bypassing the position altogether in the draft. Jonathan Babineaux and Kindal Moorehead could be the starting tackles, although veteran free agent Grady Jackson is still out of work. Biermann is listed as an end but he projects more as an outside linebacker.

"If you weren't there in the first round going hard after it, it really fell off," Dimitroff said. "Not to mention there were some guys on that list along the defensive line, to be quite honest with you, weren't fitting in with our style or with our Falcon fit. We're talking about having guys that are about the team concept, who are about getting better and having a passion for the game."

Linebackers

Lofton could replace Brooking in the middle, this season or next. James and Biermann were taken for depth at both outside spots, where Michael Boley and Stephen Nicholas could form a nice tandem for years.

Cornerbacks

Jackson's addition makes for an interesting battle for playing time among Von Hutchins, Brent Grimes and possibly David Irons, a special teams standout. DeAngelo Hall must be replaced on the left side, opposite Chris Houston.

Safety

This is Dimitroff's area of expertise and DeCoud, a combination free safety/strong safety, must possess the traits the new general manager likes. He could be the top backup at free and/or strong safety.