Atlanta Falcons: 5 best draft picks of all time
No. 5: Keith Brooking
Keith Brooking was a local product out of Sharpsburg, GA and Georgia Tech. He was able to stay in Atlanta when the Falcons selected him as the 12th overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft.
The 1998 season was a special one for the Falcons, and still remains as the only Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Brooking was apart of that team, although he was not quite the force he would become in later years.
For 11 seasons, Brooking would anchor the Falcons defense as a middle linebacker. He had 100+ tackles in back-to-back-to-back seasons from 2001-2003 and made the pro bowl in 2002 and 2004.
During his Falcons career he amassed 38 passes defended, 17 sacks, 12 INT and 8 forced fumbles. He also averaged 80 tackles per season.
The Falcons initial success after his arrival was short-lived, but they soon regained form in 2002 with a playoff win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. In 2004, they made it to the NFC Championship Game and then back to the playoffs one more time in 2008.
Brooking left after the 2008 season and played with the Dallas Cowboys for three seasons and finally with the Denver Broncos in 2012 to finish out his career.
Next: No. 2