FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons first-round pick pick Vic Beasley, shortly after being tabbed with the eighth overall pick, pronounced that he would be a "double-digit" sack player in his rookie season.
Atlanta Falcons 2015 countdown to camp: A look at the defensive line
Over the past 10 drafts only two players taken in the top 10 have posted double-digit sacks in their rookie seasons.
In 2011, Denver’s Von Miller, who was taken second overall, had 11.5 sacks. San Francisco’s Aldon Smith, who was selected seventh overall had 14 sacks.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
That’s it.
There have been some colossal pass-rushing busts taken in the top 10 over the past 10 drafts including Jamaal Anderson (eight overall by the Falcons in 2007), Dion Jordon (third by the Dolphins in 2013) and Aaron Curry, (fourth by Seattle in 2009).
John Abraham (68.5), Chuck Smith (58.5) and Patrick Kerney (58) sit atop the franchise’s all-time sack list.
Abraham had just four sacks over an injury-married rookie season with the New York Jets after being selected 13th overall in 2000.
Smith, a second-round pick in 1992, had two in his rookie season.
Kerney, who was selected 30th overall in the first-round of the 1990 draft, had 2.5 sacks his rookie season.
How many sacks will Beasley have in 2015?
2014 Draft
1. Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans, 0
9. Anthony Barr, Minnesota, 4
2013
3. Dion Jordan, Miami ,2
4. Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit, 8
6. Barkevious Mingo, Cleveland, 5
2012
No edge rushers selected in the top 10. Bruce Irvin was selected 15th by Seattle and had eight sacks.
2011
2. Von Miller, Denver, 11.5.
7. Aldon Smith, San Francisco, 14
(Wisconsin's J.J. Watt was selected 11th by the Houston Texans. He had 5.5 sacks as a rookie and 20.5 in his second season.)
2010
10. Tyson Alualu, Jacksonville, 3.5
2009
3. Tyson Jackson, Kansas City, 0
4. Aaron Curry, Seattle, 2
2008
2. Chris Long, St. Louis 4
8. Derrick Harvey, Jacksonville, 3.5
2007
4. Gaines Adams, Tampa Bay, 6
8. Jamaal Anderson, Atlanta, 0
2006
1. Mario Williams, Houston, 4.5
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ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 COUNTDOWN TO CAMP: We started our countdown to training camp 11 days out on Monday. We started with the wide receivers followed by the quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks/tight ends, offensive line and defensive line today. Links are below if you missed one.
Here’s the schedule:
Thursday – Fullbacks/Tight ends
Saturday – Defensive line
Sunday – Linebackers
Mon., July 27 – Cornerbacks
Tue., July 28 – Safeties
Wed., July 29 – Special teams
Thur., July 30 -- Assistant coaches (non coordinators)
Friday, July 31 – First day of practice.
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE: The Falcons will hold their training camp at the team's headquarters for the 11th consecutive year and will have select practices open to the public from July 31 – August 19.
On Friday, August 7, the Falcons will hold their “Friday Night Lights” controlled scrimmage at Buford High School.
Here’s the training camp schedule:
Friday, July 31 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Saturday, August 1 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Sunday, August 2 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 3 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 4 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Wednesday, August 5 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Thursday, August 6 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 7 – “Friday Night Lights” (Buford High School – open to the public)
Saturday, August 8 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Sunday, August 9 – Practice 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 10 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 11 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 12 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Thursday, August 13 – Practice 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 14 – Falcons vs. Tennessee Titans, Georgia Dome, 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 15 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Sunday, August 16 – Walkthrough (closed to the public)
Monday, August 17 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 18 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 19 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
ROOKIE MINICAMP VIDEOS VIDEO:
Meet Falcons 2nd round pick CB Jalen Collins
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 3rd round pick RB Tevin Coleman
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 7th round pick CB Akeem King
AJC's 2015 NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
Falcons pick Vic Beasley, pass on Todd Gurley
Scouting report: Vic Beasley the next DeMarcus Ware or a one-trick pony?
Grady Jarrett escapes fire before Falcons draft him
MARK BRADLEY COLUMN: Vic Beasley: The right pick at the right time
JEFF SCHULTZ COLUMN: Falcons' Quinn determined to fix pass rush in draft
STEVE HUMMER feature on first-round pick Vic Beasley
Falcons add CB Jalen Collins in the second round
Falcons add RB Tevin Coleman in the third round
Falcons' draft bios round 2 through 7
PHOTO GALLERY: Meet the Falcons draft class
VIDEO
Vic Beasley plans to be a double-digit sack guy
Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn on the first round of the draft
Falcons coach Dan Quinn on 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
Dimitroff and Quinn on 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
Quinn on 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
