FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons are off to a good start in this year's draft. In our grade book, the have a B-plus for drafting Vic Beasley, Clemson's all-time sack leader, with the eighth overall pick in the draft on Thursday.
The move was a solid triple to left-center. Because of Beasley's issues against the run and the fact that he wasn't the best player available, you can't grade the pick as a home run.
Anthony “Booger” McFarland, who’s doing a great job on SiriusXM NFL Radio, said the Falcons landed the best pass rusher in the draft.
The Falcons didn’t receive a “A” because they didn’t draft the best player available.
Beasley was rated as a 6.6 by the NFL.Com.
The Falcons filter kicked out Missouri’s Shane Ray and Nebraska’s Randy Gregory. Ray was rated as a 6.6 and Gregory as a 6.4.
The Falcons, in dire need of a pass rush, didn’t even appear to consider Georgia running back Todd Gurley, whom Gil Brandt rated as the sixth-best player in the draft ahead of Beasley. Gurley was rated as a 6.4 player by NFL.com.
The perennial good teams, like the Packers, Steelers and Patriots, select the best player available. The Falcons, perhaps because they are not elite and still have holes, must still draft for need.
ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 DRAFT PICKS
First round: 8th overall selection -- Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Second round: 42nd overall selection
Third round: 73rd overall selection
Fourth round: 107th overall selection
Fifth round: 146th overall selection
Sixth round: 185th overall selection
Seventh round: 225th overall selection
Seventh round: 249th overall selection*
*Pick is from New England through St. Louis
POSITION-BY-POSITION FOR 2015 NFL DRAFT
Wednesday: Top 5 Inside Linebackers
Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman ,
Thursday: Top 5 defensive tackles
(Leonard Williams' Rugby skill will become handy in the NFL)
Friday: Top 5 defensive backs
Alabama's Landon Collins is the top safety prospect
Saturday: Top 5 special teamers
Dorsett, Alford could be top returners
Sunday: Top 5 edge rushers (defensive ends/outside linebackers).
Big Chuck Smith breaks down the top pass-rush prospects
Monday: Top 5 Offensive line
Georgia Tech's Shaquille Mason trying to convert to center for NFL
Tuesday: Top 5 Wide receivers
Georgia's Chris Conley now projects as a fourth-rounder
Wednesday, April 22: Top 5 Running backs
Thursday, April 23: Top 5 Quarterbacks
NFL must handle Winston, Mariota with care. Both need seasoning
Friday, April 24: Top 5 Tight ends
South Carolina's Rory "Buster" Anderson hopes to get his NFL shot
ICYMI: Here's a link to last year's Position-by-Position series.
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