By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The Atlanta Falcons exceeded expectations in Dan Quinn’s second year as head coach.

They finished with an 11-6 record, 2^nd seed in the NFC and advanced to Super Bowl LI. As you all know they blew a 28-3 3^rd quarter lead and lost to New England in overtime.

I was pleasantly surprised Atlanta had such a good year despite having obvious deficiencies. They were ranked 25^th in total defense.

Vic Beasley emerged as an elite pass rusher, leading the league with 15.5 sacks. The biggest need is getting someone to play opposite of Beasley to help with rushing the opposing quarterbacks.

They drafted UCLA DE Takkarist Mckinley with the 26th overall pick. He had 61 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season.

In the third round LSU linebacker Duke Riley was selected with the 75^th pick. I like this pick, I think it helps bring speed and toughness to the defense. Riley started 12 games in 2016 finishing with 93 total tackles and 40 solo tackles which was second on the team.

Guard Sean Harlow of Oregon State was selected with the 136^th pick in the fourth round. Harlow started 37 games and also played right and left tackle. He’s 6’4, 284 pounds so he needs to put on some weight but he provides versatility. He helped the Beavers set the OSU single-season record with 5.2 yards per carry and was named second team All-Pac-12. Also, right guard Chris Chester retired in March so they needed a guard. Good pick based on need.

Corner back Damontae Kazee from San Diego State was the 149^th pick in the fifth round. He started the last 41 games of his college career at San Diego State. He holds the SDSU career interception record with 17. He was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons in 2015-16.

I think this is a good selection to pair him with Pro Bowler Desmond Trufant. If he can develop into a solid starter he will strengthen the secondary.

Wyoming running back Brian Hill was selected with the 149^th pick. Hill is a big back standing 6’1, 219 pounds and he’s a physical runner. Last season he rushed for 1,860 yards, 22 touchdowns and averaged 5.3 yards per carry.

The final pick was also in the fifth round which was the 174^th, tight end Eric Saubert out of Drake. Last season he had 56 receptions for 776 yards (13.9 yards per catch). Saubert earned his fourth All-Pioneer-Football League selection after being named first-team Pioneer Football League in 2016. He ranked 19th in the nation with 10 receiving touchdowns, and was second in the nation among tight ends with 70.5 receiving yards per game.

I only have a couple of gripes about the draft. Personally, I thought T.J. Watt was the best pass rusher available in the first round. He has great bloodlines considering he’s the younger brother of All-Pro J.J. Watt. He also had 15.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 2016. They obviously evaluated Takk McKinley as being a better player so time will tell.

I also think tight end was a more pressing need than running back, considering Atlanta has two very good backs already. I would have liked to have seen a tight end picked before Brian Hill.

The Falcons did a good job of addressing needs. Only time will tell if these players will develop into stars or at least solid starters. I give this Atlanta draft class a solid B grade.