Former Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli, who was with the team from 2014 to 2019, shared some insight on the role that owner Arthur Blank had in the draft process for six seasons during an appearance on NFL Network.
Nate Burleson asked about Blank’s role.
“I was fortunate to spend six drafts within that draft room with Thomas Dimitroff and ... Mike Smith was the head coach at one time and then Dan Quinn,” Pioli said. “Here’s what I’ll say about Arthur Blank, Arthur did a tremendous job of not questioning the decision-makers.
“What he did was he went through the process alongside the GM, alongside the head coach and what he does, he doesn’t push opinions. He let’s the decision-makers make their decisions. That’s all you want as a leader whether if you are the head coach making the final decision or the general manager.
“He makes himself a healthy part of the process really by asking smart and thoughtful questions that are probing which allows the decision-makers to get to the place that they need to be. So, he doesn’t influence the decision-makers. He supports them. Going through that process for a couple of years was really interesting to watch how well Arthur handled that with his leaders.”
New general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith are going through their first collaborative draft with Blank.
The Falcons hold the fourth pick in the draft, which will be held Thursday through Saturday in Cleveland.
AJC’S POSITION-BY-POSITION NFL DRAFT SERIES
QUARTERBACKS: How far will Justin Fields drop in draft? | Top 10 QBs
RUNNING BACKS: Plenty of prospects to pick from | Top 10 RBs
WIDE RECEIVERS: Draft deep with talent | Top 10 WRs
TIGHT ENDS: Ability to create mismatches is key | Top 10 TEs
OFFENSIVE TACKLES: A ‘nasty’ bunch | Top 10 OTs
OFFENSIVE GUARDS/CENTERS: The men in the middle | Top 10 C/OGs
END RUSHERS: Pass on this draft stock | Top 10 DEs
DEFENSIVE TACKLES: One star among lackluster block | Top 10 DTs
LINEBACKERS: Deep class for position | Top 10 LBs
CORNERBACKS: Plethora of options for first two rounds | Top 10 CBs
SAFETIES: Falcons likely will add position player | Top 10 Safeties
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