First of all, I'd like to thank the entire Falcoholic crew for doing such an excellent job of covering everything in my absence. While I was foraging for berries in the White Mountains, they were keeping you all up to date and breaking down Curtis Lofton's sudden but inevitable betrayal. Take a moment to thank them, as well.
Now onto the news. The NFL handed out its 2012 compensatory picks, based on an arcane formula that involves moves made in free agency in the summer of 2011, a wrench, a blowtorch and a book of dead magic. As a direct result, the Atlanta Falcons have received one pick. Guess where it is.
Did you say the seventh round? Because if you did, you were totally right. The Falcons are now the proud owner of the 249th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, which isn't exactly knocking anyone's socks off. In fact, it may make you want to put on another pair of 'em.
Still, every pick is a valuable in the NFL. Thomas Dimitroff's late-round track record is mixed, but he has unearthed a handful of promising players like Vance Walker (drafted in 2009). Jason Snelling came out of the seventh back in 2007. There's value to be had there, even if you're not packaging a couple of seventh-rounders to move up. With this front office, that's a distinct possibility.
For the full list of picks, check out Mac's Football Blog. The Raiders were among the luckiest teams.