Draft report card: Graders get an F, Falcons get 3 to 5 years

This is Mel Kiper. I don't particularly like what he does, and I certainly don't like his hair.

This is Mel Kiper. I don't particularly like what he does, and I certainly don't like his hair.

I was going to start this by saying what a stupid exercise it is for media members to “grade” an NFL teams’ drafts every year, and then I found something written by Rob Rang of CBS Sports that supplies the perfect analogy:

“Grading a draft immediately after it concludes is akin to giving your compliments to the chef before the meal has been served. Sure, the food might sound good (or bad) based on the ingredients listed on the menu, but the true review can’t be done until after the product has been tested.”

Think about it. I’ve had 17,000 plates of fettucini alfredo in my [ever-shortening] life. Sometimes, I wanted to marry it. Other times, I want to use it as spackle.  Now, I may know my body NEEDS fettucini alfredo (go with it). But can I really give myself an A for making the right choice of fettucini alfredo on the menu, especially when the name of the restaurant is “Pedro’s”?

That didn’t come out right. But the point is, while I can know the Falcons need help at outline linebacker and on the defensive and offensive lines, I can’t know if Thomas Dimitroff picked the right players until after we’ve seen them play?.

You might’ve noticed: There’s no scoreboard at drafts.

And, dude: Please don’t come to the table with: “The guy shouldn’t have been drafted. EVERBODY knows it. I heard it on ESPN!”

Here’s what I know: The non-experts don’t know because the fact is even the experts don’t really know. Every year there are first-round busts and sixth-round Pro Bowlers. Drafts take three to five years to accurately judge.

All we can do is judge whether our team seemed to fill the right positions and didn’t do anything obviously stupid, like draft a player with five kids,  seven DUIs or ever once uttered the phrase, “I see nothing wrong with dog fighting.”

So with that as a backdrop, I’ve compiled a list of “grades” from “experts.” They range from B to C-minus.  They are for entertainment purposes only.

But before getting to the report cards, following is some actual serious analysis from a guy named Nolan Nawrocki, a respected draft analyst from Pro Football Weekly. Here’s his take on each of the Falcons’ seven draft picks:

Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri: With Mike Peterson aging and playing undisciplined football, Weatherspoon adds youth to the Falcons’ linebacking unit. He is big, fast and flies to the ball. His play dropped off as a senior after he bulked up, but he looked much more comfortable after dropping weight at the Senior Bowl. The biggest challenge he will face upon entering the pros will be keeping his ego in check and not alienating veterans in the locker room.

Corey Peters, DT, Kentucky: The Falcons concentrated on shoring up the the middle of their defense with the selections of Weatherspoon and Peters. Peters is a developmental three-technique with the quickness to add some value on third downs. With the injuries that struck the interior defensive line last season, depth was much needed.

Mike Johnson, G, Alabama: With Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo restricted free agents and Justin Blalock entering a contract year, the Falcons needed some depth on the right side of their line, and Mike Johnson could provide it. He was a versatile performer on a national championship line and has the toughness and competitiveness to function ably in the NFL’s trenches.

Joe Hawley, C, UNLV: The Falcons had a need in the middle of their line with Todd McClure aging, and they may have found a suitable replacement in Hawley . He may not look the part, but he is tough, scrappy and competitive and has the type of football temperament to play in the NFL a long time. He could also provide depth at guard, where he played as a senior.

Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma: Hawley could bring the most value to the Falcons as a return man. He looks the part and has an intriguing physical skill set, but too many inconsistencies showed up on tape in college. He could compete for a job as a No. 4 or No. 5 corner.

♦ Kerry Meier, WR, Kansas: A converted quarterback, [Meier] has the dependable hands to stick as a No. 4 or No. 5 possession receiver with the Falcons, and could bring added value in the locker room with strong intangibles. He should earn a roster spot and has a chance to contribute.

Shann Schillinger, S, Montana: [Schillinger] quickly came off the board to the Falcons and has the temperament to make the roster as a special-teams kamikaze.

The judges weigh in with their opinions after a draft pick at Radio City Music Hall in New York Thursday night.

The judges weigh in with their opinions after a draft pick at Radio City Music Hall in New York Thursday night.

And  now, here’s are some of the grades:

♦ Mel Kiper, ESPN (C-minus) Sean Weatherspoon is a good outside linebacker and has the strength and size to start and be productive in this league, but after that, it’s a lot of wishful thinking. Corey Peters was a slight reach on my board even at 83 and has a ways to go to improve his skills. Joseph Hawley has a chance to develop, but a pair of guards and no tight end or even a shot at a defensive end surprises me. I don’t see an improved football team. (Note: Kiper also gave out C-minuses to Miami, Denver, Washington and Minnesota. The only team with a lower grade was Jacksonville with a D.”

♦ John Czarnecki, Fox Sports (B) (who’s solid and I’ve known for years, going back to NFL beat writing days in Los Angeles): “The Falcons concentrated on filling needs with Missouri OLB Sean Weatherspoon, possibly the most complete linebacker in the draft. He can cover and also rush the passer. To beef up the defensive line, Kentucky DT Corey Peters was taken with the 83rd overall pick and he should be a run stuffer. Alabama guard Mike Johnson is a physical run blocker and gives the Falcons some much needed depth at the position. Johnson started 41 consecutive games and played in a school-record 54 games. You have to remember, too, that the Falcons used a second-round pick on Tony Gonzalez, who paid huge dividends last season to Matt Ryan and the offense. Weatherspoon should be a starter. Guard Joe Hawley provided much-need depth. Oklahoma CB Dominique Franks knows how to play, but does he possess NFL speed and quickness?”

♦ Ross Tucker, Sports Illustrated (he didn’t give grades, just opinions): “What I liked: The selection of Sean Weatherspoon, ranked by some as the top linebacker in the draft, to immediately start at outside linebacker next to tackling machine Curtis Lofton. What I didn’t: The Falcons still don’t have a legitimate pass-rusher opposite John Abraham and even he isn’t the player he used to be. Moving forward: Signing Dunta Robinson in free agency and getting last year’s first round pick, Peria Jerry, back from injury gives this defense enough juice to compete with the New Orleans Saints for the NFC South division title.”

Rob Rang, CBS Sports (B-minus) (who did this despite denouncing the exercise) “The Atlanta Falcons struck gold a few years ago with the selection of undersized linebacker Curtis Lofton in the second round. They went back to the Big 12 for another speedy playmaker with Sean Weatherspoon in the first. Expected to take over the weak-side position, Weatherspoon is ideal in Atlanta’s cover-two scheme, as is third-round pick Corey Peters, an underrated defensive tackle who several teams were targeting. Offensive guard Mike Johnson and center Joe Hawley provide solid depth. Cornerback Dominique Franks slipped to the fifth round, but has the length and straight-line speed to be effective in this scheme.”

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (B-minus): “Best pick: Third-round guard Mike Johnson is a tough guy from Alabama who will fit right in with the Falcons’ style of linemen. He is insurance for Justin Blalock, who has one year left on his deal. Questionable move: I wasn’t enamored with first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon as much as the Falcons were. I think he’s a bit overrated. Third-day gem: Cornerback Dominique Franks from Oklahoma is a talented player. He does have some character issues. But he could push for time as a nickel corner. Analysis: They were hoping a defensive end fell to them in the first round, but when the top ends went they took Weatherspoon. The rest of the draft was mostly spent trying to improve the defense. They landed some solid players.”

♦ Clifton Brown, The Sporting News (B-minus): “Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon has a chance to fill a need. The defensive line could be improved if defensive tackle Corey Peters contributes, along with defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who missed last season with a knee injury. If they become better on defense, particularly against the pass, the Falcons could return to the playoffs.”

So those are some of the grades.

Care to grade the graders?

Earlier Falcons draft posts

Falcons’ additions will get them back into playoffs

Falcons still need linemen (and Weatherspoon video-palooza)

Weatherspoon helps Falcons fix the right side of the ball

Draft night (LIVE): Behind the scenes at Falcons’ HQ

Draft day (Part II): Tebow top 15, Morgan to Falcons?

Draft day (Part I): Falcon options; Berry rips Deion; Tebow to Vikes?

Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC

164 comments Add your comment

Brandon

April 25th, 2010
10:35 pm

i know there are prob not a whole lot of tebow fans on here, but ya’ll have to agree that got old. rather i think he can or any someone thinks he can’t succeed in the nfl, it was ridiculous to hear mel kiper and todd mcshay constantly dog him and denver for 3 days. i am a huge tebow fan, and now i want him to prove them wrong more than ever! i also thought it was funny to see jason campbell go to oakland and take the starting job away from a guy that kiper and mcshay called a “can’t miss prospect” in jamarcus russell. the falcons had a good draft. they filled a few needs. i give it a b+. only thing i think they should have done was trade back into the 3rd round and take everson griffen. i agree with the poster above, have herm edwards and john gruden on there with a guest host, i still say berman. wouldn’t fill right to have a draft without berman!!!

Jeff Schultz

April 25th, 2010
10:35 pm

Crabapplejoe — I wouldn’t assume JAnderson is secure as a starter — or for that matter on the roster.

First

April 25th, 2010
10:37 pm

Come on Jeff, you gotta admit that 8:32 post was a pretty good save of the 8:31 post calling first.

[...] Jeff Schultz Grades the Supposed Draft “Experts” [...]

89falcon

April 25th, 2010
10:42 pm

i think this draft was probly the worst i have seen by them in a while.the only pick i like was the the first one everybody after that is just garbage,a bunch of no names! they pass on to many quality athleats

Mike F

April 25th, 2010
10:47 pm

@89falcon – Names don’t play this game. Ryan Leaf, Brian Bosworth… and omg, Aundray Bruce all testify to that.

GSU Eagle 91

April 25th, 2010
10:54 pm

Clifton must have spent hours pouring over data to arrive at this insight….
If we play better defense, we might make the playoffs…LOL
That is usually the way it works, isn’t it?

crabapplejoe

April 25th, 2010
10:57 pm

I don’t understand why you can’t have a conversation about Biermann without Sidbury being thrown in. Biermann has proven to be a talent…not so much Sidbury…why can’t we just start Biermann. Would that cause too many problems with the team “chemistry”….LOL at the reality of it all.

Sid

April 25th, 2010
10:57 pm

I’m tired of all the speculation, let’s tee it up………..!!

BullDawg Rick

April 25th, 2010
11:06 pm

In Dimitroff I Trust!!

Falcon 34

April 25th, 2010
11:10 pm

Jeff–Great article. I was taken a-back at first at many of the names that scrolled across the board, but after looking more closely at them and their college production, I’m starting to like the draft more and more. It was not the flashiest, but I think we got some really, really good football players. Love the Weatherspoon, Johnson, and Franks picks. Really liking the Meier pick the more I’ve read about him (better college production than WR’s such as Riley Cooper, Jacoby Ford, et al) and the same goes with Peters.

Dan Williams (26th overall) – 9 Tackles for Loss, 2.5 Sacks
Corey Peters (83rd overall) – 12 Tackles for Loss, 4 Sacks

Still a little surprised on the Hawley picks (taking him that early) and certainly shocked in drafting another safety after we have Thomas DeCoud, William Moore, Erik Coleman, Matt Giordano, and Antoine Harris. Not a hyped draft with the biggest names, but got some really, really good football players. IMO

PMC

April 25th, 2010
11:21 pm

they have to do grades now though. All it is really is an opinion on filling needs. Most national writers are going to look at us and say… oh Abe’s getting old, they don’t have anyone really to replace him… but that’s not necessarily true. They got Sidberry whom they love and Biermann has been effective on the opposing side. They couldn’t cover anyone for any length of time last year. The little dumpoffs were always open. The defense couldnt’ get off the field. Both of the two early picks directly address the biggest problem on the defense outside of cornerback which they shored up with Robinson. Hopefully Williams can come back healthy.

We need HD back something terrible or else we are razor thin with playmakers on offense again this year.

PMC

April 25th, 2010
11:22 pm

If the Kansas kid can be what BFinn has been it’s an outstanding pick.

PMC

April 25th, 2010
11:24 pm

When Jerry was on the field with Babs neither of our two ends had any trouble getting into the backfield and linebackers were free to make plays.

Brian Williams was a one man gang right up until the injury.

Matt "Choke" Ryan

April 25th, 2010
11:26 pm

That Falcons suck and will continue to suck.

They should have drafted a quarterback that can stretch the field – they have a roster of Noodle arms except for DJ and we know they don’t want him on the team.

Dimitroff can’t hold Ozzie Newsome’s jock strap. Once again the Ravens got a grade A – Amazing.

Now Flacco finally has some weapons, we will see just who was the better draft when the Falcons play the Ravens.

But Matt

April 25th, 2010
11:30 pm

How can TD hold Ozzie Newsome’s jockstrap if you won’t let go of it?

kelvin davis

April 25th, 2010
11:31 pm

Ok so lets talk about this draft for us… Sean Weatherspoon will start from day 1 and he will wear number 51. Him and Curtis Lofton and Stephen Nicholas will be the starters at linebacker when the season opens up for us next year… Cory Peters will wear number 91 and will be good insurance in case Peria Jerry, Johnathan B. or Thomas Johnson go down. He will compete with Thomas Johnson for the 4th spot in the rotation.. Mike Johnson will wear number 70 and will be starting on the O-line somewhere in the middle of the season for us. If you don’t think he is good just go ask all the teams that couldn’t stop the Heisman trophy winner Ingram and get to the QB McCelroy for Alabama.. He’s big and very quick for his size.. Joe Hawley will be the starting center for us when McClure’s time is up completely.. Don’t be surprised if he is starting over McClure when we open up the season to.. There’s a possibility McClure could be cut.. We did the same thing to Lawyer Milloy and Thomas Decoud had a Pro Bowl kind of year for us so just watch for that.. Dominique Franks will wear 24 for us and he’ll be used in our nickel and dime packages.. Don’t be surprised if he gets the chance to beat out Eric Weems for the Kickoff and Punt Return duties..He is very dangerous and skilled at returning the ball… 2 of his returns were called back for holding while he was at Oklahoma.. The SLEEPER PICK of the draft is Kerry Meier. He will wear either 80 or 81 for us. In case you haven’t watched him play he catches everything thrown to him (Literally).. The way they talk about him is the same way they talked about Hines Ward.. Look at Hines now.. A QB turned receiver that isn’t fast but is quick, tough, and catches everything thrown to him.. And on top off that this guy is 6′3 213 pounds.. We have a beast on deck for us.. Watch what he does this offseason for us.. He ran a 4.5 at the combine.. He’s only gonna get faster so don’t be worried.. Look at how good he runs routes to.. Michael Jenkins shouldn’t be to confident to be opposite Roddy at the beginning of the year for us.. He already might be faster than Jenkins.. I’m willing to bet money he has better hands than Jenkins.. He put 102 catches in college.Kansas only played like 11 games cause they were bad last year so they didn’t have a bowl game.. Shann Schillenger is pretty fast.. Maybe faster than our whole secondary.. We’ll have him on special teams and he’ll be a stud for us.. The only thing that killed us last year was injuries.. When you look at our pash rush at the beginning of the season with healthy players we were getting to the QB then it drifted off when the injuries started.. Personally I liked this draft for us.. And I think we all should agree that we have some solid players to come out this draft.. We have Pittsburgh in Week 1 this year coming up.. We’ll probably be going against Charlie Batch so we’ll see how the pass rush does in week one.. give me some feed back everyone

Supes

April 25th, 2010
11:36 pm

Oh look…the trolls are out in full force tonight…nice :)

Jeff,

Here is what would actually make the draft “work” for the falcons…IF Tony Gonzalez stays healthy and has another productive year at TE, and if Abe (returns to his old form from 2 years ago), and Kroy and Lawrence can progress where we maybe get 10-12 sacks from them combined at the other DE.

Also in effect, we got nothing from William Moore and P. Jerry last year, so maybe they also help out the D as a whole, to where the fact that we didn’t draft an impact DE prospect doesn’t matter.

athens bird

April 25th, 2010
11:38 pm

Kiper used to be a good child actor when he was on The Munsters. I always wondered what happened to Eddie Munster.

But Matt

April 25th, 2010
11:40 pm

Kelvin, Edward Scissorhands has better hands than Jenkins.

Matt "Choke" Ryan's crack dealer

April 25th, 2010
11:45 pm

Matt, I see by your comments above you smoked some of that sh**t you bought from me the other day. I told you it was good..it got you so f**ked up you suggested the Falcons draft a QB. I havent smoked as much as you so I would suggest you get your head out of your ass and also out of Ozzies jock strap.

Ravens fans dont need fans like Matt Choke Ryan

April 25th, 2010
11:51 pm

Most of us Raven fans

a/live in Baltimore

b/ have forgotten that Ray Lewis was an accessory to murder and got away with it.

c/have mostly good fans, but there a few total losers that pull for the Ravens.one of them is Matt Choke Ryan. Pls take him back we dont want him..or at least let take a limo ride with Lewis and his thug friends.

But Matt

April 25th, 2010
11:51 pm

“Choke” is still mad because the NFL violated confidentiality and disclosed what he got on his Wonderlic Test.

Nail Polish.

waw

April 25th, 2010
11:54 pm

What does a B-minus mean from these ‘experts?’ The Falcons did good but I’m in a bad mood?

UGASlobberknocker

April 25th, 2010
11:55 pm

The Falcons may have the worst history in the NFL, but they’re still our team..So to all of you transplants who feel the need to bash the Falcons and praise your team..stick it.

Show some class or move back to wherever it is you came from. Delta is ready when you are.

But Matt

April 25th, 2010
11:56 pm

Actually these days, Delta might be ready 2-3 hours after you are.

Ray Lewis

April 25th, 2010
11:57 pm

Hey “Choke”..wanna go for a ride?

But Matt

April 26th, 2010
12:01 am

“Choke” wants to talk about a quarterback who stretches the field? Can Choke even stretch a rubber band?

Flo-Ri-Duh!

April 26th, 2010
12:04 am

Again – the Falcons would have had at least a”b+” if they had taken Dez Bryant instead of a LB …. he is an Academic All American and was rated in the top 10 in the draft and the #1 WR in the draft. He is the deep threat the Falcons need. They blew it. The NCAA punished him for TALKING to Deion Sanders. He hasn’t violated any laws, done drugs or done anything immoral to a woman. It is ridiculous that they passed him up and they will regret it. The entire offense would have improved by 50% which would have improved the defense by keeping them off of the field. The Falcons have gotten ZERO skill players in the last two drafts and Ryan is getting more beat up and older every year.

kelvin davis

April 26th, 2010
12:16 am

give me some feed back

T_Height

April 26th, 2010
12:17 am

this draft to me didn’t have many great player to me. The top 10 players seem to be really good players and the first two receivers taken. I think the biggest steal will be the Jerry Hughes (DE/LB) from TCU. this class may be about the undrafted players. I think Brandon Lang (DE), Donovan Warren (cb is another houston at corner but will be better as a safety), Jarrett Brown (QB), and LaGarette Blount (RB and a steal for any team that get him only if he gets his act together and train the way he should.) are going to be really good players. Jeremy Williams is also a pretty good receiver. Although he isn’t the fastest receiver in the draft he has everything else great receivers possess. While the falcons wanted to fill needs to bolster their roster, its always good to get players that can become really good players just in case one of the starters get hurt or don’t produce as expected. I’m comfortable with the falcons not selecting a DE because i do like Sidbury and Bierman as the future ends. They just have to get on the field more and I think this year they will. Another Mike or inside LB would be great addition. I’m kind of surprised that Lindsey Witten from connecticut wasn’t drafted. he could be great in a 3-4 scheme or a mike l/b.

David C

April 26th, 2010
12:22 am

A good idea going forward would be to note the grades of so-called experts and writers from 5 years back and then we’d all know who is the expert and who is the hack

Inside scoop?

April 26th, 2010
12:23 am

How do you know about the uniform numbers kelvin?

I hear “Choke” wears #5. Not because it’s Flacco’s number, but because it was Choke’s Wonderlic score.

Cosmos

April 26th, 2010
12:26 am

I like the “Spoon” pick in the first round. For the 2nd round you have to consider that as Tony Gonzales and I’m happy with that. I’m good with Peters, Johnson and Hawley. After that I just don’t know, remains to be seen. Falcons just didn’t have enough high draft picks to rate a high grade, but it seems they got what they needed and so far I trust TD and MS to make the right choices. They’ve earned that right.

kelvin davis

April 26th, 2010
12:27 am

lol its the thought that counts about the jersey numbers

Matt "Choke" Ryan

April 26th, 2010
12:40 am

The GM Comparison since 2008:

Ozzie Smith

- QB 1st rookie to lead team to Championship game

- Won 3 playoff games

- Back-To-Back playoff seasons

- Back-To-Back seasons with playoff wins

- Franchise qb only costed 30 million

Thomas Dimitroff

- ZERO playoff wins

- ZERO Back-To-Back playoff appearances

- ZERO Championship games

- ZERO Back-To-Back playoff wins

- Franchise qb costed 72 million

Dimitroff is just a Bellicheck reject…………….. This regime is a BUST!

HA HA HA :)

Matt "Choke" Ryan's brain surgeon

April 26th, 2010
12:42 am

Matts memory is about as long as….well you know…….Matt has trouble remembering when Balitmore sucked so bad that they had to sneak out of town in the middle of the night by tractor trailor. Then they were replaced by that other team that sucked more than they did…….you know ….that power house Cleveland Browns team. The bad thing was that nobody gave a rats ass about either one….Matt….here’s a reminder….THEY BOTH SUCKED!!!!!! Everybody knows that all of Baltimore’s draft picks are going to the pro bowl. Hell they don’t even need Falco anymore. the guys they picked are the cream of the crop, they run, pass, kick and suck better than the rest of the draft combined. In my opinion Matt has strong manlove for the OZ and he needs to take two advil and three of those tight ends he loves so dearly and call ray lewis in ths morning…..

Matt "Choke" Ryan

April 26th, 2010
12:43 am

2004 and counting suckers…………. ha ha ha

6 Freakin seasons since the Falcons have won a playoff game

6 Freakin seasons since the Falcons made it to the Championship game

6 Freakin seasons since the Falcons have won a division title

We all know who was the last qb to accomplish those moments……… :)

HA HA HA

JKA

April 26th, 2010
12:45 am

It’s always interesting when you see comments such as, “they didn’t get a defensive end”…this seems to imply that you should force a pick for a lower rated player at a position of need rather than take a player of greater value…..and especially considering the bust rate for pass rushers (anyone seen Vernon Gholston, Cameron Maybin or Robert Ayers lately, not to mention Jamaal Anderson ?), this seems like a losing proposition…….Remember how some experts thought the Falcons could go for Everson Griffen in round 1 ? Seems as though the people who actually pick the players for a living agreed that this was not a wise thing, as the entire league passed on him until the 100th pick.,,,about where we got a developmental pass rusher (Sidbury) last year. The draft is not just about getting good players who fit your scheme, but also getting them in the right round.

kelvin davis

April 26th, 2010
12:59 am

this draft was weak in talent compared to the last 2 years

KakNiqueTree

April 26th, 2010
1:02 am

Ok then, let’s grade the Falcons’ 2006 draft! If anyone remembers who they drafted that year!

jared

April 26th, 2010
1:02 am

the guys who give draft grades are the same guys who had dwyer late first – early second round, clausen top 15, and colt mccoy second round. Now you tell me why what they say matters.

T_Height

April 26th, 2010
1:09 am

As much as i hate to admit it and as much as you may not like it but i think Tebow just may be a pretty good qb. if he works hard enough he could be another stever young

kelvin davis

April 26th, 2010
1:09 am

I remember.. That year they got Jimmy Williams with our 2nd Round pick.. We traded away our 1st Round pick for John Abraham

Who really cares about college ball here

April 26th, 2010
3:29 am

Who really cares about college ball here

April 26th, 2010
3:30 am

What CRABAPPLEJOE really means is “why can’t we play the white guy and just forget about the black guy?”

Ummm

April 26th, 2010
4:04 am

What is an “outline linebacker”? Is he the guy who creates solid bullet points for the team’s game plan?

Southside

April 26th, 2010
5:03 am

Dimi and Smitty have already done what no one else could with this franchise,2 winning seasons in a row. Who knows what draft choices will do? Where is David Green now? The Falcon brain trust know what they are doing.

AugustaFan

April 26th, 2010
6:19 am

You can’t judge an NFL draft before the players get on the field any more than you can judge the UGA recruiting class until you see who stays out of jail.

DamYankee

April 26th, 2010
6:24 am

There is one person who’s opinion matters less than Kiper’s – “Choke”.