2013 NFL Draft Grades: Atlanta Falcons

November 11, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; An Atlanta Falcons helmet prior to kickoff of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2013 NFL Draft has come and gone, and now it’s time for some reflection. While some teams traded around to get who they want, others stood pat to see who would slide to them — and if there’s one thing to remember about this draft it’s players that slid around the rounds. But now that the draft is behind us, the all important grading phase has begun, so lets take a look at how the Atlanta Falcons did in this year’s NFL Draft.

Draft Picks

(22) Desmond Trufant, db, Washington
(60) Robert Alford, db, SE Louisiana
(127) Malliciah Goodwin, de, Clemson
(133 Levine Toilolo, te, Stanford
(153) Stansly Maponga, de, TCU
(243) Kemel Ishmael, db, UCF
(244) Zeke Motta, db, Notre Dame
(249) Sean Renfree, qb, Duke.

Best Pick: Desmond Trufant, CB/Washington

Trufant screamed up draft boards after his Senior Bowl performance and the Falcons traded up to use him to fill a big need at cornerback. Trufant will come in be dominating force for the Falcons defense and will soon be a leader on the unit and one of the best cornerback in not only the NFC, but the entire league.

Worst Pick: Sean Renfree, QB/Duke

This is like picking on the fat kid, but it has to be someone. Renfree doesn’t have a bright future in Atlanta and has practice squad written all over him. He may show flashes and make the roster, but the Falcons will put Mike Smith into the backup role before they even give Renfree a serious thought.

Analysis: The Falcons needed defensive backs and that’s exactly what they got. From Desmond Trufant to stealing Robert Alford and Kemel Ishmael, Atlanta reloaded it’s secondary in one single class. Hopefully all these guys can pan out as if they do, this might be one of the best draft Thomas Dimitroff has ever had.

2013 Draft Grade: A-

Home/Atlanta Falcons