2017 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons final grade
By John Buhler
Fourth Round
Sean Harlow
Guard, Oregon State Beavers
Atlanta ended up with four selections in day three of the 2017 NFL Draft. The only pick of the fourth round by the Falcons was the No. 136 selection. Atlanta took Oregon State Beavers guard Sean Harlow right before the compensatory part of the round.
Guard was a huge draft need for the Falcons. Levitre and Chris Chester were okay last season, but guard was the weakest part of the Falcons’ top-tier offensive line. Levitre is still in Atlanta, but Chester opted to retire after Super Bowl LI. Atlanta still has guys like Ben Garland and Wes Schweitzer that could fill the void left by Chester. Expect Harlow to help in terms of depth and competition at both guard spots.
Fifth Round
Damontae Kazee
Cornerback, San Diego State Aztecs
Atlanta’s defense is strongest in its secondary. Now that former defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel is the new defensive coordinator in Flowery Branch, it comes as no surprise that he would want another defensive back to aid in competition. Atlanta made a tremendous selection at No. 149 in taking San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Damontae Kazee.
Kazee had a strong showing at the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl. He’s undersized, but quick and physical. Kazee could play press coverage on the outside or man coverage on vertical routes. He is raw, but his attributes could make him a solid nickel or dime back in Atlanta’s secondary.
Brian Hill
Running Back, Wyoming Cowboys
This one is a little odd, but Atlanta decided it needed another running back. Atlanta already has two solid multipurpose backs in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. However, both could prove to be too expensive for Atlanta to hang on to for a second contract.
Either way, Wyoming Cowboys running back Brian Hill can come in and compete for the No. 3 job with Terron Ward or play on special teams. Don’t expect to see Hill play much as a rookie. This feels like more of a precautionary pick than anything.
Eric Saubert
Tight End, Drake Bulldogs
Tight ends went fast in the 2017 NFL Draft. Atlanta could have looked for a third tight end this spring to put alongside Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo. With Jacob Tamme probably gone, Atlanta did its best to grab a third tight end in this draft, but overdrafted on the Drake Bulldogs’ Eric Saubert at No. 174.
Saubert played in the East-West Shrine Game and eventually found his way in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. He may have the physical ability to play in the NFL, but Saubert struggled against superior competition in these postseason all-star games. Saubert went at least a round higher than many anticipated.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft instant grades
Overall, Atlanta addressed all of its pressing draft needs. The Falcons could have gone wideout at some point, but that need was only tertiary in theory. Kazee was the best value pick, with Riley as a close second. McKinley was probably worth trading up to get. The other three picks of Harlow, Hill and Saubert didn’t move the needle. This was a good, but not great draft for the Falcons.