For a team that was tied for the best record in football last season, Atlanta had a lot of areas of need to address this offseason. They used free agency to take care of the hole at running back, bringing in Stephen Jackson to be their new workhorse, and added a pass rusher in Osi Umenyora. The Falcons chose to focus on their defensive needs through the draft, primarily in the secondary using 4 of their 8 picks (including their first two) on defensive backs. They grabbed a pair of defensive ends with good value in the 4th and 5th rounds, but both guys will take some time to become steady contributors. The lone selection that could put up some fantasy points this season for the Falcons is TE Levine Toilolo from Stanford, who will get a season to learn from the best at the position in Tony Gonzalez.
Fantasy Impact
Toilolo will give Matt Ryan another option in the red zone, but would you throw the ball to an unknown rookie when you have Gonzalez, Julio Jones and Roddy White to choose from? Toilolo will not do much this season, but could be worth a late round investment in dynasty league in what should continue to be one of the best passing offenses in the league for years to come.
With the influx of youth in the secondary someone figures to step up and fill the void left by the departure of Dunta Robinson via Free Agency. Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford figure to battle for time opposite Asante Samuel with one of them filling the nickel spot.
Draft Results
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | Desmond Trufant | CB | Washington |
| 2 | 60 | Robert Alford | CB | S.E. Louisiana |
| 4 | 127 | Malliciah Goodman | DE | Clemson |
| 4 | 133 | Levine Toilolo | TE | Stanford |
| 5 | 153 | Stansly Maponga | DE | TCU |
| 7 | 243 | Kemal Ishmael | S | Central Florida |
| 7 | 244 | Zeke Motta | S | Notre Dame |
| 7 | 249 | Sean Renfree | QB | Duke |