Sports
Sports

How Falcons draft picks stacked up at combine

Justin Higdon of the Draft Breakdown podcast compared each Falcons draft pick, including Takkarist McKinley (above), to the others with their measurements at the combine. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)

Credit: Jeff Haynes

Credit: Jeff Haynes

Justin Higdon of the Draft Breakdown podcast compared each Falcons draft pick, including Takkarist McKinley (above), to the others with their measurements at the combine. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
By Jeff Haws
May 4, 2017

By most accounts, the Falcons had a successful draft last weekend. But how did their picks stack up against the rest of the NFL draft class at March’s combine in Indianapolis? Justin Higdon of the Draft Breakdown podcast looked at the numbers.

The numbers compare the Falcons’ draft picks with the combine averages across 10 different measurements. Their six picks only graded out poorly in three categories, with one of those being first-round pick Takkarist McKinley’s 20-second shuttle score.

Third-round pick Duke Riley (LSU) didn’t rate poorly in any category, and was below average in just two. Fourth-round pick Sean Harlow was below average in just two categories as well, and scored Excellent on the vertical jump.

To see how other teams' picks also fared, look at Higdon's Twitter page and see the full thread.

AJC columnist Mark Bradley says the Falcons' draft wasn't splashy, but it accomplished what the team needed.

About the Author

Jeff Haws
More Stories

Keep Reading

Kennesaw State fans celebrate after Kennesaw State beat UTEP during an NCAA college football game at Fifth Third Stadium, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State won 33-20 over the University of Texas at El Paso. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

As UGA, KSU vie for conference titles, 3 Georgia teams host playoff games

There are five collegiate football programs in Georgia playing meaningful postseason games this weekend.

Lane Kiffin takes LSU job; Florida, Ole Miss, Auburn, Arkansas fill head coach vacancies

Lane Kiffin accepted the LSU head coaching job, Florida hired Tulane's Jon Sumrall and Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding as head coach.

Controversy awaits CFP rankings: Notre Dame, Miami, Texas plead cases

The College Football Playoff selection committee has a challenging task at hand weighing head-to-head, schedules, body of work and current level of play for the next rankings.

The Latest

General view as the Atlanta Hawks host the San Antonio at State Farm Arena, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. The Spurs won 126-125. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Atlanta TV sports listings

As UGA, KSU vie for conference titles, 3 Georgia teams host playoff games

Lane Kiffin takes LSU job; Florida, Ole Miss, Auburn, Arkansas fill head coach vacancies

Featured

Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo

A 30-year-old’s overdose sparked a new law. Now courts are testing how far it can go.

Austin’s Law, passed in 2024, is leading to convictions of fentanyl dealers after a father’s fight for justice following his son’s overdose death.

Jared Curtis isn’t the only Georgia football storyline to watch on signing day

What will National Signing Day look like? It is starting to materialize significant storylines.

Search for inmate who escaped from Grady hospital enters second day

Timothy Shane is accused of stealing an SUV and then crashing it during the getaway, according to authorities.