Ranking the Falcons 6th round picks of the Thomas Dimitroff era

Continuing with the series of analyzing Thomas Dimitroff’s draft choices by round, we will extend into his sixth-round selections. The likelihood a general manager can pick a franchise player in these later rounds is slim to none, therefore, there will be minimal recognizable names and careers.  

 9. Thomas Brown (2008) 

Brown has recently joined the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff but was drafted by Atlanta after playing close in Athens for the Bulldogs. His rookie season was cut short after a horse-collar tackle in the preseason, landing him on injured reserve. Atlanta waived him the following season, and he was signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad but later released after a short stint on the active roster.  

8. Charles Mitchell (2012) 

After a lackluster rookie year on special teams, Mitchell was cut by Atlanta in August of 2013. He only played in ten games in his professional career, mostly with Atlanta.  

7. Marcus Green (2019) 

Green’s tenure in Atlanta was short; he was waived during final roster cuts in August of 2019. But the next day, the Philadelphia Eagles signed him to their practice squad then inked him to a reserve contract earlier this year. 

6. Spencer Adkins (2009) 

Adkins had a short career in the league but the longest thus far on the list. He played in 21 games in three seasons, where he totaled 55 tackles, four for loss, one sack, and one interception.  

5. Shann Schillinger (2010) 

Schillinger had the praises of the front office when he was selected in the 2010 draft. He signed a four-year contract in June of that same year, playing in 31 games before his release in 2013. Schillinger signed with the Tennessee Titans not long after but only appeared in one game before being released.  

4. Russell Gage (2018) 

Gage was selected from the greatest university in the country, LSU. He recorded his first professional reception in Week 6 of his rookie year and totaled six of them for 63 yards in 15 games while being an intregal piece to the Falcons special teams. However, he became much more of a threat as a receiver following the departure of Mohamed Sanu last season. He finished with 49 receptions for 446 yards and one touchdown and is poised to take over the WR3 role in 2020. 

3. Wes Shweitzer (2016) 

Schweitzer played valuable minutes on the starting offensive line in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He started at right guard every game in 2017 but was demoted the following season as a swing guard and backup center. However, following a season-ending injury to starting guard Andy Levitre in Week 3, Schweitzer took over the rest of the season. He was signed by the Washington Redskins in March of this year. 

2. Foyesade Oluokun (2018) 

Oluokun was not invited to the NFL Combine but participated at his Pro Day, becoming the first Yale player to be drafted since 2011. He entered Falcons training camp as a backup linebacker and special teams player, but injuries quickly forced him onto the field. He started in his first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5 of 2018, finishing his rookie season with 91 combined tackles, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble in 16 games and seven starts. His best game to date was the highlight of the teams’ season last year — a 26-9 win over division rival New Orleans. He recorded a team-high seven solo tackles. Depending on how the Falcons approach the draft, Oluokun could be starting next to Deion Jones this year. 

1. Matt Bosher (2011) 

Bosher is the most valuable sixth-round pick. He has been Atlanta’s punter since his rookie campaign in 2011, appearing in all 16 regular-season games every year except for the 2019 season, playing in a number of playoff games. In October of 2019, Bosher was placed on IR and finished the year there. He is currently an unrestricted free agent.