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Atlanta Falcons 2020 NFL Draft grades: A lesson in not letting desperation control the board

By Josh Hill

Clemson Tigers - A.J. Terrell (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Clemson Tigers - A.J. Terrell (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 12: Matt Hennessy #58 of the Temple Owls in action against the Memphis Tigers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 12, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 12: Matt Hennessy #58 of the Temple Owls in action against the Memphis Tigers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 12, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Temple. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OL. 885. Matt Hennessy. 78. player

Offensive line wasn’t a position of need int he traditional sense for the Falcons, but that didn’t stop them from doing the right thing. Hennessy is a big time lineman who won’t have to withstand the pressure of returning results in his first few seasons in the NFL.

Atlanta has a pretty solid offensive front, one well-equipped to protect Matt Ryan and what could be an explosive offense. Adding Todd Gurley only ads to the potential oozing from the Falcons offense and it provides Hennessy with an opportunity to learn from veterans in a great system before taking over in a few years.

This was a smart pick. Atlanta needed to get younger on the offensive line but didn’t actively need to replace anyone. Hennessy is already a borderline starter in the NFL and is a depth guy for the Falcons — give him some time and the right coaching and he’ll be an anchor in Atlanta for years to come.

Had the Falcons not taken Jaylinn Hawkins in this draft, Hennessy would easily be their best pick, and it’s not particularly close.

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