Falcons lead NFC South with A-minus draft grade

In the NFL.com’s 2018 NFL Draft grades, the Atlanta Falcons led the NFC South, earning an A-minus for their six draft picks.

On his report card of all 32 NFL teams, NFL writer Gennaro Filice wrote the 2018 Draft proves once again Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is really good at his job.

“(Calvin) Ridley might not be a WR1 at this level, but he doesn't need to be one in Atlanta, lining up next to Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu,” Gennaro wrote. “(Isaiah) Oliver brings the traits Dan Quinn desires in a corner: length, athleticism and ball skills. The Falcons have a type at defensive tackle, too: (Deadrin) Senat's eerily similar to Grady Jarrett, as a short, stout, interior disruptor who routinely wins the leverage game.

“And (Ito) Smith is a highly productive back who's very comfortable in the passing game— forward-thinking insurance should Tevin Coleman walk in free agency next offseason.”

Since the Falcons hired Dimitroff in 2008, the team has a 95-65 record, the fourth-best record in the NFL in the past 10 seasons, according to Gennaro.

The rest of Gennaro’s NFC South grades can be read on the NFL’s official website.

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