2009 NFL draft one year later: Atlanta Falcons

Man how do you asses a draft where the first two picks went down with injury and rode out their rookie campaigns on the injured reserve list? It seems that we have to give the Falcons a mulligan, because it could very well be that this draft class turns into something special. A year ago I gave the Falcons high marks for getting two stars and adding depth along both offensive and defensive lines.

Let us take a quick look at the 2009 Flacons draft class:

•Round One (24)- Peria Jerry DT •Round Two (55)- William Moore DB •Round Three (90)- Chris Owens CB •Round Four (125)- Lawrence Sidbury DE •Round Five (138)- William Middleton DB •Round Five (156)- Garrett Reynolds OG •Round Six (176)- Spencer Adkins LB •Round Seven (210)- Vance Walker DT

So Jerry and Moore missed significant portions of the 2009 season. Owens made two interceptions and had 29 tackles playing in every game. Sidbury made just five tackles but played in all 16 games. Middleton was cut in training camp. Reynolds played in 4 games, while Adkins made three tackles in 5 games. Walker pitched in 13 tackles in 10 games.

It would be very easy to give this draft class a failing grade, and it may get that one day. However we need to see what Jerry and Moore can do overall a whole season. It is a little disturbing that Middleton (138th overall) was cut in training camp. Teams that need to can find quality players in the fifth round, the Falcons could have used a contributor with that pick. With all that being said we have to stick with an incomplete grade one year out.