Atlanta Falcons: 5 best draft picks of all time

With the NFL Draft approaching, we take a look back at the five best draft picks in Atlanta Falcons history. 

There are several things that go into making a player a great draft pick. That goes for the Atlanta Falcons and ever other NFL team.

If you pick a player in the first round, just becoming a starter for 5-10 years may not cut it. You’ll need several all-pro seasons to be considered among the franchise’s best picks.

If you pick a player in the later rounds, the thought process turns to value. Having a solid contributor for years and years may elevate their status to be remembered as a great draft pick.

For the Falcons, there are guys from every category. There have been players who were expected to produce from a very high draft pick and they’ve done just that. Then there are others who were an afterthought but produced some of the greatest memories Falcons’ fans have ever had.

There are also guys like Jessie Tuggle who won’t even make this list because he was never drafted. The five-time all pro linebacker from Valdosta State played 14 years in Atlanta and is one of the most revered Falcons of all time, yet was an undrafted free agent out of college.

Tuggle is a rare exception, however, as most great Falcons who got their start in Atlanta were indeed picked up in the NFL Draft. Here are the top five draft picks during the franchise’s 50 years of existence…

Next: No. 5