With their first pick the Falcons select ...

Atlanta Falcons

With their first pick the Falcons select ...

A look at the Atlanta Falcons' first NFL draft picks and moves of the last 15 years.

1998 -- With the 12th pick in the first round, the Falcons selected Georgia Tech linebacker Keith Brooking. Then-coach Dan Reeves said he liked Brooking's speed and enthusiasm. Brooking signed with the Cowboys in 2009 after 11 seasons with the Falcons, leading the team in tackles for the final eight.

1999 -- With the 30th pick in the first round, the Falcons selected defensive lineman Patrick Kerney out of Virginia. He had three double-digit sack seasons and a trip to the Pro Bowl in eight years with the Falcons before signing with Seattle as a free agent in 2007.

2000 -- The Falcons traded their first-round draft pick to the Baltimore Ravens who selected former Douglass High School star Jamal Lewis fifth overall. The Falcons' second-round pick, USC offensive lineman Travis Claridge, played three seasons here before moving onto the Canadian Football League.

2001 -- The Falcons traded Tim Dwight, LaDanian Tomlinson (their first round selection, fifth overall), 2001 third round pick Tay Cody, 2002 second round pick Reche Caldwell to San Diego for Michael Vick -- the No. 1 overall pick. Michael Vick started for nearly six seasons in Atlanta before pleading guilty to his role in a dogfighting conspiracy. Unable to trade his rights, the Falcons released Vick in 2008. Vick served a federal prison sentence and, after seeking reinstatement with the league, played five seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is currently on the N.Y. Jets roster as a backup quarterback.

2002 -- With the 18th pick in the first round, the Falcons selected Michigan State running back T.J. Duckett. He would be traded to the Redskins after four seasons.

2003 -- The Falcons traded their first round pick (23) to Buffalo in exchange for wide receiver Peerless Price. He would be released two seasons later and after a brief sting with the Cowboys re-signed with the Bills. Buffalo chose running back Willis McGahee.

2004 -- With 8th pick in the first round, the Falcons selected defensive back DeAngelo Hall of Virginia Tech. The often disgruntled cornerback, who made two Pro Bowl teams while in Atlanta, was traded to Oakland for a second-round pick in 2008 and a 2009 fifth-round pick.

2005 -- With the 27th pick in the first round, the Falcons selected UAB receiver Roddy White. He has been named to the Pro Bowl four times and broke the Falcons' single-season record for receiving yards with 1,389 in 2010.

2006 -- The Falcons traded Denver for a first- and third-round pick, then sent the first round pick to the Jets for veteran defensive end John Abraham. The Jets picked Ohio center Nick Mangold 29th overall. The Falcons released Abraham after seven seasons in 2013.

2007 -- With the 8th pick in the first round, the Falcons selected Arkansas defensive lineman Jamaal Anderson. Anderson recorded the first sack of his career in Week 6 of 2008 -- a takedown of Chicago quarterback Kyle Orton. The Falcons released Anderson in 2011.

2008 -- With the third overall pick, the Falcons selected Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. He was anointed the starter before camp and lead the Falcons to their first playoff berth since 2004. The eventual NFL Rookie of the Year finished with 3,440 passing yards, 17 TDs. The next season, Ryan helped the Falcons finish with consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. He led the Falcons to the NFC Championship Game in 2012. He signed a five-year, $103.75 million contract extension in 2013.

2009 -- With the 24th pick in the first round, the Falcons selected Ole Miss defensive tackle Peria Jerry. In the second game of his NFL career, Jerry suffered a knee injury that ended his season. He returned in 2010, playing in all 16 games and finishing with nine tackles and two sacks. Jerry had 3.5 sacks in the 2013 and signed a 1 year, $890,000 contract to remain with the Falcons in the 2014 season.

2010 -- Falcons used their first pick, 19th overall, on Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. Weatherspoon started in five games his rookie season. He had 42 tackles and a sack in 11 games.

2011 -- The Falcons traded the 26th overall pick, a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2011 and a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2012 to drop to sixth and select Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones finished leading all rookies in touchdown receptions with 8, while his 54 receptions for 959 yards ranked him second among rookies in yardage and touchdowns.

2012 -- The Falcons did not have a first-round pick in 2012. With the 55th overall pick (in round 2) Atlanta chose Wisconsin offensive lineman Peter Konz. Konz began his rookie season as a backup on the offensive line before earning his first start in Week 7. He has started in 25 games over the last two seasons.

2013 -- The Atlanta Falcons traded their 30th overall, a third- and sixth-round picks to the St. Louis Rams for the 22nd overall pick and selected defensive back Desmond Trufant of Washington. Trufant started every game of his rookie season, finishing with 70 tackles (55 solo 15 assist), 17 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries.

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1998 -- With the 12th pick in the first round, the Falcons selected Georgia Tech linebacker Keith Brooking. Then-coach Dan Reeves said he liked Brooking's speed and enthusiasm. Brooking signed with the Cowboys in 2009 after 11 seasons with the Falcons, leading the team in tackles for the final eight.

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