2017 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons final grade
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Falcons traded up to draft UCLA Bruins defensive end Takkarist McKinley at No. 26. Here is the Falcons’ 2017 NFL Draft grade.
The Atlanta Falcons started the 2017 NFL Draft tied with the fewest selections of any NFL team with only six. Atlanta initially had one pick in each round, except for their sixth-round pick, which belonged to the Tennessee Titans because of the Andy Levitre trade in summer 2015.
Atlanta didn’t need to make any huge splash moves in the draft. The Falcons were very methodical in how they approached the draft, opting to trade up in the first round with the Seattle Seahawks while moving out of the second round to gain more picks from the Buffalo Bills.
By the end of the fifth round, Atlanta had concluded its 2017 NFL Draft with six selections, with three of their picks coming in the fifth round. Let’s take a look at who the Falcons ultimately drafted and see what 2017 NFL Draft grade they have earned.
First Round
Takkarist McKinley
Outside Linebacker, UCLA Bruins
For the third time in his tenure as Falcons general manager, Thomas Dimitroff elected to trade up in the first round to get the guy he wanted. He did it in 2011 in a trade with the Cleveland Browns to grab wide receiver Julio Jones out of Alabama. Dimitroff did it again in 2013 in a deal with the then St. Louis Rams to select cornerback Desmond Trufant out of Washington.
Dimitroff has earned the benefit of the doubt in his ability to move up and get a future Pro Bowler in the first round. He made it a trifecta by trading up to No. 26 from No. 31 with the Seahawks to draft UCLA Bruins defensive end Takkarist McKinley.
To move up five spots, it cost Atlanta three picks (No. 31, No. 95 and No. 249). Was McKinley worth three picks? That’s debatable, but Atlanta must have felt strongly that the Dallas Cowboys would grab him at No. 28 if the Falcons didn’t act swiftly to move up.
McKinley will play opposite of Vic Beasley in Atlanta’s pass rush. He may not be a full-time starter as a rookie, but should be able to be a high-end rotational pass rusher in year one. McKinley has a great motor and could additionally factor in run-stuffing. He is an emotional guy. It makes total sense that Dimitroff cherry picked McKinley to be the newest member of Dan Quinn’s pass rush in Atlanta.