One way or another, the Julio Jones trade on 2011 draft day largely defines GM Thomas Dimitroff’s tenure with the Falcons. Swapping five draft picks (two firsts, a second, and two fourths) for one tends to stand out on a GM’s resume, especially when that one pick isn't for a quarterback, left tackle or pass rusher.
Jones clearly is one of the league’s best wide receivers (though those critical dropped passes vs. the Bears and Lions are major demerits). It hasn’t mattered much to the bottom line the past two seasons, though. Jones was tearing it up to begin last season before foot surgery and the Falcons were 1-4; he’s doing tearing it up again this season and they are 2-6.
Still, the Falcons obviously got a very good player in Jones. And among their six picks in the 2011 draft, they got two starters if punter Matt Bosher is included. Doesn't sound like a great haul but it's actually pretty good when looking back at that draft, according to an analysis by Packer Report:
Of the 254 players drafted in 2011, only 112 remain on 53-man rosters or injury lists. That's 44.1 percent. Just 73 are starters, based on depth charts posted at Ourlads.com. That's 28.7 percent.
"Wow, I knew that draft class busted but I wouldn't have guessed it was that bad," a second scout said. . . .
The Packers landed only one starter (Cobb). They are one of eight teams to get only one starter in that draft class. In all, teams acquired, on average, 2.28 current starters.
Only three teams drafted more than three starters. And there's no coincidence that Denver (five), San Francisco (five) and Seattle (four) are among the league's powerhouses after hitting the draft jackpot.
Packer Report also notes that “of the 32 first-round picks in 2011, 25 are starting today. Thirteen have been selected to at least one Pro Bowl.” That includes Jones, a Pro Bowl selection in 2012.
Whatever you think about the Jones trade in terms of its impact on the Falcons’ ability to acquire talent and depth, they at least got one of the few starts of the 2011 draft.
Here are the fates of the other four Falcons picks in the 2011 draft:
- Back in June the Falcons traded linebacker Akeem Dent (third round) to the Texans for quarterback T.J. Yates. Dent started parts of two seasons for the Falcons before falling out of favor and has played just 63 snaps for the Texans this season.
- Running back Jacquizz Rodgers (fifth round) has been a reliable backup for the Falcons for three-plus seasons.
- Guard Andrew Jackson (seventh round) never played a down for the Falcons and is out of the league.
- Defensive end Cliff Matthews (seventh round) has played in 27 games for the Falcons without much impact, including 16 defensive snaps this season.
