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Here’s your full draft class!
Round 1, Pick 14: OG Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
The Falcons surprised everyone twice when they stayed at 14 then drafted the draft’s top rated guard. Lindstrom is a ridiculous athlete with a higher ceiling than any guard Matt Ryan has ever had. He should plug in immediately at left guard with the potential to grow into a Pro Bowl blocker. Some considered this a reach for Lindstrom who was typically projected between rounds 1 through 3.
Round 1, Pick 31: OT Kaleb McGary, Washington
Dan Quinn was not done in round 1 and traded into the end of the night to draft Washington RT Kaleb McGary. Not nearly as polished or athletic as Lindstrom, McGary still looks the part and should push Ty Sambrailo to the bench sooner rather than later. Despite an impressive college career, there are some concerns with McGary’s ability to routinely handle speed rushers in the pros. Criticism aside, he is a substantial upgrade at tackle.
Round 4, Pick 9: CB Kendall Sheffield, Ohio State
This pick flew under the radar, as the Falcons evidently worked him out and fell in love with him without us getting much of a sniff of it. Sheffield is lightning fast and is reportedly nearly healthy after partially tearing his pectoral predraft.
Round 4, Pick 33: DE John Cominsky, Charleston
This one was less of a surprise. Cominsky had been linked to the Falcons a couple of times in the pre-draft process as a beefy end with run stopping chops and some upside as a pass rusher. Like Kendall Sheffield before him, Cominsky is a guy with all the physical tools you could want (he ran a sub-4.7 40 at 285 pounds) but a spotty history of putting them together, especially as a pass rusher. His upside might be Brooks Reed, but Reed was a valuable rotational end and that’s stellar value for a fourth round selection. We’ll hope the Falcons can coach him up, but Cominsky will head into the year as the team’s fifth end and will probably kick inside at times.
Round 5, Pick 14: RB Qadree Ollison, Pittsburgh
Brian Hill is probably not long for this roster, because Ollison is the big back with versatility and seems destined to stick as a short yardage and receiving option alongside Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith. Ollison is not particularly fast, but he’s 20 pounds heavier than Free and is athletic enough for his size. This is a Dirk Koetter pick, obviously, and we’ll see how large of a role he can carve out. The Falcons have been killing their running back picks for the last five years, and we’ll hope Ollison is the latest quality contributor.
Round 5, Pick 34: CB Jordan Miller, Washington
The Falcons double-dipped at corner with the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Jordan Miller. Miller has the height, long arms, and speed (4.49 40) that Dan Quinn loves but he needs to bulk up. Miller should stick on the roster thanks to multiple departures in the secondary, but he probably won’t see much playing time in his rookie season. Expect early special teams contributions.
Round 6, Pick 31: RB/KR/PR Marcus Green, Louisiana-Monroe
The Falcons didn’t come away with an LSU player (very rare), but they did get Louisiana-Monroe wide receiver Marcus Green. At 5-foot-8 and 190-pounds, Green appears to be the typical undersized speedster. Not invited to the NFL combine, Green ran a 4.39 40 at his pro day. He has experience at wide receiver, running back, and all across special teams. Green’s best shot at sticking on the roster is as a weapon on special teams.