Draft Day decision makers: Atlanta Falcons
This will be the third draft conducted by Atlanta Falcons General Manger Thomas Dimitroff. He and head Coach Mike Smith share the philosophy that a winning team is built through the draft not via free agency. They will be joined in the Flacons war room for the 2010 NFL Draft by Nick Polk the Director of Football Administration, Kevin Winston senior Director of Player Development, Les Snead Director of Player Personnel, and David Caldwell the director of College Scouting. Of course their full complement of scouts will also be in attendance.
So what do we know about this group’s tendencies? Well they are unafraid to take players who have been injury prone. Their first round picks in the last two drafts have gone down early with injuries, but that does not deter the Falcons front office staff. They are looking for value. Head Coach Mike Smith has stated that with their 8 picks in the 2010 NFL draft they are looking for as many quality players as they can find.
Over the last five years The Falcons have a below average grade in addressing their needs via the draft, and evaluating players. Over that time period they have made 43 picks. Only one of them has turned out to be a pro bowler, 10 have turned into starters, 16 are currently backups, and 17 are either out of the NFL or playing for other teams.
Related Links:
•Draft Day Decision Makers
•Atlanta Falcons news and notes
•2010 Falcons team needs
•2010 Flacons first round draft plan
•2009 Flacons draft, one year later
•MTR Football.com
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