The 2018 NFL Draft is in the books, so now it’s time to recap and scrutinize the fourth draft by the braintrust of Dimitroff and Quinn. Here were some of the perceived needs going into the draft and where I thought we might take each position.
Defensive Tackle (Rounds 1-2)
Guard (Rounds 2-5)
Linebacker (Rounds 3-5)
WR/Kick Returner (Rounds 3-6, Free Agents)
Tight End (Rounds 5-7, Free agents)
Fullback (Free Agents)
Basically, the only positions that seemed off-limits coming into draft were defensive end, cornerback, quarterback, and offensive tackle...or so we thought. Should’ve known better.
The last several Falcon’s drafts have been rather unpredictable. They shocked everyone in 2016 by taking safety Keanu Neal at #17, then stole Deion Jones at #52 -- arguably the best defensive player in that entire draft. They also traded up to six spots to get Takk McKinley at #26 in 2017. The only "guarantee" for this year was that that Falcons were definitely going to take a defensive tackle with one of their first two picks. Instead our draft went like this:
Just the way we predicted, right?
So...who exactly are these guys?
Round 1, Pick #26 - Calvin Ridley, WR (Alabama)
Combine numbers: 6-1/2, 189 lbs; 4.43 sec 40-yard dash; 15 reps on bench press; 31-inch vertical
Ridley is a super-productive deep-ball threat with very good routes and hands (89 catches, 1,045 yards, 7 TD last season). He’s also really fast. He’s a polished product that is ready to play right away and should develop into a legit #2 receiver with the potential to be a #1. He drops silky-smooth double moves that literally make people fall down, and his comeback route is absolutely filthy. The knocks on him are that he has a slight frame that’s not likely to add much bulk, and he did have a somewhat alarming 20 drops in his three years at Bama.
It was surprising to see the Falcons take a receiver here, but Ridley fills the gap left by Taylor Gabriel and was considered by many to be the best receiver in the draft. It’s a bonus he was briefly coached by Falcon's OC Steve Sarkisian in 2017 and another bonus that he got experience returning punts during his sophomore year and might be able to help the Falcons fill that role as well.
Round 2, Pick #58 - Isaiah Oliver, CB (Colorado)
Combine numbers: 6-0, 201 lbs, 4.50 40-yard dash
Oliver was projected as a first-round pick by some, so he was a STEAL at #58. He’s got a tall, lean build very similar to Jalen Collins, and he had the longest arms of any DB at the combine. He only had three interceptions last season, but he is excellent at finding the ball and gets his hands on a TON of passes. He ended his career with 25 deflections which is an astronomically high number. His length and speed make him nearly impossible to throw deep on, but he's struggled at times against routes that require more precise footwork like slants and deep comebacks. He’s not especially physical, not a particularly strong tackler, and doesn't appear a good fit anywhere other than outside -- so it will be interesting to see what the Falcons do with him. Will they put Oliver outside and move Alford or Trufant inside to replace Brian Poole?
Oliver is a super-high upside pick, and personally, I think he’s a far better NFL prospect than former 2nd round-pick Jalen Collins.
Round 3, Pick #90 - Deadrin Senat, DT (South Florida)
Combine numbers: 6-0, 314; 35 reps on bench press
Let the Grady Jarrett comparisons begin. Senat doesn’t have Jarrett’s athleticism and pass-rushing skills, but he has a similar compact build, power, and motor. He lacks ideal arm length and elite first-step quickness, but every scouting report on him says he has outstanding hands that allow him to stymie blockers and make disruptive plays. He won’t offer much in terms of pass rush, but that’s not why the Falcon’s drafted him. He plays extremely hard and will be asked to man the one-technique (over the center) and hold his ground in the run game.
Round 4, Pick #126 - Ito Smith, RB (Southern Mississippi)
Pro Day numbers: 5-8 ½, 205 lbs; 4.50 sec 40-yard dash; 22 reps on bench press; 37.5-inch vertical
You’re probably thinking the same thing I was -- (1) who is this guy, and (2) why did we take him with John Kelly still available? I have a lot less questions after watching his senior highlights -- full of 50 & 60 yard runs, lots of screens and wheel routes, and a 16 carry, 92-yard day against FSU in the Independence Bowl. His career stats are below:
Smith was a super-productive receiver although he wasn’t asked to run very advanced routes in college. He’s solid in pass protection for a back his size, and also much more powerful than he looks. He’s a bouncy, jump-cut runner that is lightning quick, but doesn’t necessarily have the best top-end speed. Sound familiar? Picture Devonta Freeman with 10% less thump and about 8% more wiggle. Or picture LeSean McCoy in Warrick Dunn's body. This isn’t like the Brian Hill situation last year where the Falcons took a running back just to kick the tires -- Smith is the PERFECT replacement for Tevin Coleman and not only do I see him making the team, I think he’ll actually be a contributor for the Falcons’ offense this year.
Round 6, Pick #194 - Russell Gage, WR (LSU)
Pro Day numbers: 6-0, 186 lbs; 4.42 sec 40-yd dash; 15 reps on bench press; 39-inch vertical
Gage is converted defensive back with 4.4 speed who only caught 26 passes in his career at LSU. BUT, he was a demon on special teams coverage units and also the team’s third-leading rusher. Yes, you read that correctly. He was used regularly and effectively for jet sweeps and end-arounds, making him a good candidate to get a shot at kick return duties. He’s a project as a receiver but his special teams prowess gives him a really good shot to make the team. The Falcons traded both 7th round picks to move up and get him, so they clearly saw something they liked.
Round 6, Pick #200 - Foyesade Oluokun, LB (Yale)
Pro Day numbers: 6-2, 229 lbs; 4.48 sec 40-yd dash; 15 reps on bench press; 37-inch vertical
There’s not a ton of information out on Oluokun, but a few things are clear from his Yale highlights -- he can run, he can hit (really hard), and he can cover. He’s listed as a linebacker, but there are multiple clips of him dropping into coverage lined up as a deep safety, and even 1-2 pretty impressive interceptions. The point is that his tape clearly shows the versatility and speed the Falcons love. Did I mention he hits hard? It’s impossible to watch his highlights without making comparisons to Deion Jones.
Oluokun looks bigger and more physical than 2017 third-round pick Duke Riley and is a pretty sure bet to make the team since there are currently only three linebackers on the entire roster. Picks like this are usually special teams players, but Oluokun has legit NFL upside that may translate in meaningful defensive snaps this year. .
Summary:
The Falcons appear to have drafted at least two immediate starters and four players who should be able to contribute this year. It wasn’t the draft many people expected them to have (myself included), but their reluctance to take a guard or tight end shows their confidence in recent acquisition Brandon Fusco (guard) and 2016 3rd-rounder Austin Hooper (TE). The Falcons got outstanding value out of the first two picks, and while some might see the Senat and Smith picks as reaches, both have skill sets that seem to fit perfectly with what the Falcons want.
Grade:
I hate grading a draft before actually seeing people play, but I know it’s what readers expect. Here we go:
Value: B-
Ridley & Oliver were steals, but Senat and Smith had 5th-7th round grades according to NFL.com.
Talent: B+
The Falcons drafted a LOT of speed with five of the picks, a lot of production with the Ridley, Oliver, and Smith, and lot of upside with the Gage and Oluokon.
Needs met: B
It would’ve been nice to see the Falcons take a top-50 player in a great defensive tackle draft and to pick up a young guard in one of the best guard drafts in recent memory.
Overall Grade: B
And last, but not least, here are the Falcons undrafted free agents (it’s a LONG list):
QB Kurt Benkert, Virginia
QB/WR/RB Lamar Jordan II, New Mexico
RB Malik Williams, Louisville
RB Demario Richard, Arizona St.
FB Luke McNitt, Nebraska
FB Daniel Marx, Stanford
WR Damoun Patterson, Youngstown St.
WR Dontez Byrd, Tennessee Tech
WR Devin Gray, Cincinnati
WR Christian Blake, Northern Illinois
WR Detrich Clark, Colorado St.
TE Troy Mangen, Ohio
TE Jake Roh, Boise St.
TE Cole Cook, NC State
G Matt Gono, Wesley
G Salesi Uhatafe, Utah
G, Dorian Miller, Rutgers
G/C J.C. Hassenauer, Alabama
T Joe Austin, Central Michigan
LB Emmanuel Ellerbe, Rice
LB Emmanuel Smith, Vanderbilt
DE Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, UCLA
DE Dewey Jarvis, Brown
DE Anthony Winbush, Ball St.
DE Mackendy Cheridor, Georgia St.
DT Jontey Byrd, Kent St.
CB Chris Lammons, South Carolina
CB Heath Harding, Miami (OH)
CB Joseph Putu, Florida
S Secdrick Cooper, Louisiana Tech
S Donnie Miles Jr., North Carolina
S Van Smith, Clemson
K David Marvin, Georgia
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