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Barring a trade back in using future assets, the Atlanta Falcons are done with their 2017 draft class. They capped things off with Drake tight end Eric Saubert, who should compete for a role right away, albeit a limited one.
Saubert is an interesting pick this late. He has a ton of upside as a receiver and is a tremendous athlete for his position, but scouts criticize his effort as a blocker, and simply don’t like his hands. He drops too many catchable balls and needs to work on his route running, but certainly the talent is there for those issues to go away with time, patience, and a lot of work on Saubert’s part.
SLATER SCOOP: Falcons taking Eric Saubert, TE, Drake #NFLDraft
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) April 29, 2017
If Saubert responds well to coaching and fixes the drops issue, he could wind up being a steal for Atlanta, an excellent complement to Austin Hooper in two tight end sets, and one of the team’s biggest red zone threats. Those are all big ifs at the moment, though, so for now we’ll just wait and see if Saubert can push for playing time ahead of Levine Toilolo and Josh Perkins. He’s probably never going to be an elite blocker, which leaves Toilolo and the improving Hooper to get on the field on obvious running downs.
Welcome to Atlanta, Eric Saubert!
Poll
How would you grade the selection of Eric Saubert?
This poll is closed
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8%
A
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25%
B
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35%
C
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18%
D
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11%
F
Falcons Selections
Round 1, #31: Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
Round 3, #75: Duke Riley, LB, LSU
Round 4, #135: Sean Harlow, OL, Oregon State
Round 5, #149: Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
Round 5, #156: Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
Round 5, #175: Eric Saubert, TE, Drake
Top Remaining Needs
- Tackle
- Defensive Tackle