In recent history, the Atlanta Falcons have been dominating the draft. Most players drafted have made a noticeable impact on the team drafted recently. For example, 2016 second-rounder Deion Jones is widely regarded a difference-maker at the middle-linebacker position, and he is only going into his second year. Then you have later picks such as in the 2015 NFL Draft, Grady Jarrett was selected in the fifth-round by the Falcons, and he has emerged as a highly-regarded defensive tackle. But looking back, the team has definitely botched some drafts. The worst draft class in the Falcons history in my mind was in 2012.
In 2011, Atlanta traded up to get Julio Jones with the sixth pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, so they did not have a first or fourth rounder in the 2012 draft. The second-rounder they took was Peter Konz (OL) who the Falcons expected to be a force on the offensive line, but instead he was always hurt. He only survived three years in the league, and never lived up to expectations.
Lamar Holmes is a name Falcons fans had high expectations for, and just like Konz, he never made the most of the opportunities he had. He also only played three years in the league, and played in every game in 2013. He showed up overweight to training camp the next year and was riddled by injuries, and the Falcons decided to cut ties with him.
Fifth round picks Bradie Ewing and Jonathan Massaquoi never turned out to be anything, and while many had high hopes Massaquoi would take over for John Abraham, that was never the case. Sixth round picks Charles Mitchell and Travian Robertson never made the cut either, and are not even in the league.
None of these players made an impact for the Atlanta Falcons and this is considered one of the worst drafts in Atlanta’s history. Do you believe this draft class was the worst or is their another class that performed below them? Let us know what you think!