The 2019 NFL Draft is in the books, so now it’s time to recap and scrutinize the fifth 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)
Offensive Tackle (Rounds 1-2)
Cornerback (Rounds 1-3)
Running Back (Rounds 4-7)
Linebacker (4-7)
The last several Falcons drafts have been extremely unpredictable. They shocked everyone in 2016 by taking safety Keanu Neal at No. 17 and Deion Jones at No. 52, and took Calvin Ridley at No. 26 last year when the entire world had them taking a defensive tackle. So of course the Falcons began the 2019 draft by taking the one of the positions there seemed NO chance of them targeting in the first round -- guard. Just the way we predicted, right?
So...who exactly are these guys?
Round 1, Pick #14 - Chris Lidstrom, OG (Boston College)
Combine numbers: 6’ 4” / 308 lbs, 25 reps on bench press, 4.91 40-yd dash
All the scouting reports on Lidstrom mention his excellent athleticism, strong run-blocking and NFL readiness. He rated as the top guard on most draft boards and should be an immediate upgrade over free agent acquisitions Jamon Brown and James Carpenter; if he struggles the Falcons have three really good veteran options to lean on. It’s also worth mentioning that Lidstrom played right tackle his junior year. At first it seemed like he might be slotted to compete at right tackle with Ty Sambrailo, but the Falcons’ next pick quickly squashed any thoughts of that.
Round 1, Pick #31 - Kaleb McGary, OT (Washington)
Combine numbers: 6’ 7” / 318 lbs
McGary is large, well-built, and considered a better run blocker than pass blocker (you may notice a theme). Numerous scouting reports say he’s a bit heavy-footed and expressed concern over his ability to block speed rushers at the NFL level. He likely becomes the immediate starter at right tackle over Ty Sambrailo, giving the Falcons an upgrade at the starting position and a very capable swing tackle to back him up.
Round 4, Pick #9 - Kendall Sheffield, CB (Ohio State)
Combine numbers: 5’ 11” / 193 lbs
Sheffield is fast. REALLY fast. The former Crimson Tide transfer holds the OSU indoor track record for the 60-meter dash but couldn’t run the 40-yard dash this spring due to a pectoral injury at the combine; he's rumored to have 4.2 speed. He's a solid wrap-up tackler and the scouting reports paint him as a high upside pick that’s a bit raw and needs to improve his ball skills. He nearly redshirted this past season due to an offseason injury, so it will be interesting to see what he’s capable of when fully healthy and playing in a Falcons system that made good NFL players of much less-talented prospects like Ricardo Allen, Brian Poole, and Damontae Kazee.
Round 4, Pick #33 - John Cominsky, DL (Charleston)
Combine numbers: 6’ 5” / 286; 4.69 40-yard dash
Cominsky came into college as a 216-pound quarterback and left as a 286-pound defensive end whose stock SOARED during the Senior Bowl week. He’s a good athlete who ran well at the combine and plays the run well. He was able to overpower people at the Division II level, but scouts say he lacks impact as a pass-rusher and needs to continue to improve his playing strength to be effective at the next level. Some project him as a three-technique (aligning over the guard) in a 4-3 defense, which is how I believe the Falcons could use him. He’s a project, but he has a chance to become a starter once he develops.
Round 5, Pick #14 - Qadree Ollison, RB (Pitt)
Combine numbers: 6’ 2” / 225; 4.58 40-yard dash
The Falcons finally have the big, physical back they’ve lacked in recent years. They hoped former fifth-round pick Brian Hill would fill that role, but Ollison has better vision, more size, and more versatility. He's not a burner, but he's got some juice and could carve out a role as a short yardage back and possibly even steal some reps at fullback in two-back sets.
Round 5, Pick #34 - Jordan Miller, CB (Washington)
Combine Numbers: 6’ 1” /186 lbs; 4.49 40-yd dash; 10’ 5” broad jump; 37-inch vertical
Miller is a depth pick unlikely to see the field as a rookie (other than special teams). Scouting reports say he’s a good athlete with long arms and solid cover skills who is physically weak and needs to improve his tackling.
Round 6, Pick #200 - Marcus Green, RB/WR/KR (UL-Monroe)
Pro Day numbers: 5’ 8” / 190 lbs; 4.39 40-yd dash
Green may seem like a long-shot to make the team, but he is an INSANELY good -- arguably ELITE -- kick returner. He has great burst, breaks a surprising number of tackles, and possesses long speed to pull away in the open-field. He’s a bit redundant with Kenjon Barner on the roster, but he’s a younger and cheaper option with essentially the same skill set. He has surprisingly good hands, so he can also fill a role as a gadget guy and back-up slot receiver.
Summary
The Falcons drafted two immediate starters on the offensive line, four quality depth pieces that should make the team, and an intriguing specialist who has big-play potential. It wasn’t the draft many people expected (myself included), but their reluctance to take a defensive tackle shows their confidence in the veteran group of Grady Jarrett, Jack Crawford, Ra’shede Hageman and youngster Deadrin Senat. You could certainly question the value in the first round selections, but the overhaul haul of talent is strong.
Grade:
I hate grading a draft before seeing people actually play, but since that's what people expect...
Value: C (7.5/10)
The Falcons reached on both the Lidstrom and McGary picks and sacrificed rounds 2 & 3 to do so. BUT, they found really good value in the fourth & fifth rounds drafting three players likely to contribute this season, two of whom could become future starters (Cominsky & Sheffield).
Talent: B+ (8.25/10)
The Falcons got the best guard in the draft, a starting tackle, the fastest corner in the draft, and arguably the best return man in the draft. That’s a solid haul.
Needs met: B (8/10)
The Falcons addressed their depth issues at corner and offensive line, and improved their depth at running back. Their offensive line is set with quality talent and depth for the next two years until Alex Mack’s contract expires. It’s the most talented line the Falcons have had in YEARS. It’s just hard to give them an “A” when they failed to address a huge perceived need at defensive tackle. It would’ve been nice to see them take a top-50 player for the defensive interior in a great defensive line draft.
Overall Grade: B- (8/10)
And last, but not least, here are the Falcons undrafted free agents via The Falcoholic:
UDFA Contracts
Camp Tryouts
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