NFL draft rewind: Falcons’ top picks of the 2000s

With the 2021 NFL draft rapidly approaching, let's take a look back at some of the franchise's top picks in years gone by --- 2000-09. (AP file photo/Frank Franklin II)

The Falcons selected Matt Ryan with their first pick of the 2008 draft -- the No. 3 pick overall. The former Boston College standout has been the starting QB since his rookie season.

Matt Ryan wears a camo hat in honor of Veterans' Day while warming up to play the Seahawks in a 2013 game.

Matt Ryan was named NFL MVP for the 2016 season, the first player in franchise history to be honored as the league's best player.

Matt Ryan led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, the second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

The Falcons' top pick in the 2001 was also the No. 1 overall pick -- Virginia Tech QB Michael Vick.

Michael Vick was released by the Falcons in 2009 -- almost three years after playing his final regular-season game with the franchise.

The Falcons didn't have a first-round pick in the 2000 Draft, so they used their second-round pick to selection USC guard Travis Claridge.

After selecting Travis Claridge in 2000 and Michael Vick in 2001, the Falcons added another offensive player with their top pick in 2002 -- Michigan State RB T.J. Duckett.

The Falcons' top pick in the 2003 draft was Penn State safety Bryan Scott (shown here sacking Rams QB Marc Bulger).

The Falcons' first pick in the 2004 draft was Virginia Tech cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

UAB wide receiver Roddy White was selected with the team's top pick in the 2005 draft.

The top pick in 2006 -- Defensive back Jimmy Williams -- became the third player in six years from Virginia Tech to be selected by the Falcons with their top pick in the draft.

Defensive end Jamaal Anderson was selected by the Falcons with their first pick -- No. 8 overall -- in the 2007 draft.

Defensive tackle Peria Jerry of Ole Miss was the Falcons' top pick in the 2009 draft.

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With the 2021 NFL draft rapidly approaching, let's take a look back at some of the franchise's top picks in years gone by --- 2000-09. (AP file photo/Frank Franklin II)

By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Updated Feb 20, 2021

With the 2021 NFL draft just days away, let’s take a look back at the some of the Falcons’ top picks from years gone by.

Thirteen years ago, the Falcons selected Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan with their top pick -- No. 3 overall -- of the 2008 draft. Ryan has been the team’s starter since his rookie season and was named NFL MVP of the 2016 season.

Here’s a look at the franchise’s top picks each year in the decade of the 2000s.

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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NFL draft rewind: Falcons’ top picks of the 2000s

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