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

Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin took the head coaching job at LSU and other SEC vacancies were filled as well on Sunday. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

Credit: AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

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.

Georgia State’s disappointing season ends with loss

Old Dominion defeated Georgia State 27-10 on Saturday in the regular-season finale, dropping the Panthers to a 1-11 season.

The Latest

Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin took the head coaching job at LSU and other SEC vacancies were filled as well on Sunday. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

Credit: AP

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

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

Georgia State’s disappointing season ends with loss

Featured

Inventor Lonnie Johnson stands with his Super Soaker water guns at JTEC Energy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. Johnson, a former NASA engineer, is currently working on a new energy technology through his company’s JTEC device that turns thermal heat into usable energy. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Earth needs more energy. Atlanta’s Super Soaker creator may have a solution.

The legendary inventor of the Super Soaker, Lonnie Johnson, is refining technology in Atlanta that he thinks could help the planet reduce energy waste.

Teen GOP activist steps down from party leadership post

Greene County native and University of North Georgia student Ja’Quon Stembridge, 19, had run on boosting youth involvement in the party.

2025 SEC championship game: Kickoff time, TV channel, participants, ticket info

The 2025 SEC Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6. Below you can find information on game time, TV channel and particpants for the game.