Atlanta Falcons 2017 Rookies Remind Fans How Important Draft Class Can Be

The 2017 NFL Draft cycle was a sophisticated time for followers of the Atlanta Falcons. The staff had simply wrapped up one of the crucial profitable seasons of all time, although all of it got here crashing down on the finish in opposition to the New England Patriots in Tremendous Bowl LI.

Takkarist McKinley

Duke Riley

Sean Harlow

All the nucleus that led Atlanta to the Tremendous Bowl was all set to be returning, together with reigning MVP Matt Ryan, 2016 sack chief Vic Beasley Jr., and star extensive receiver Julio Jones. 

Contemporary off a draft that produced a number of influence gamers equivalent to Keanu Neal, Deion Jones, Austin Hooper, and De’Vondre Campbell, the Falcons appeared poised to take pleasure in an incredible run of success. 

The 2017 NFL Draft class is usually regarded as the 12 months the Chicago Bears chosen QB Mitchell Trubisky No. 2 general, passing on QBs Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. 

For the Falcons, it’s the draft class that had an opportunity to take the group excessive however couldn’t stay as much as expectations. How have the staff’s six draftees fared within the NFL? Let’s test it out.

Spherical 1, Decide No. 26: Takkarist McKinley, EDGE, UCLA

With the Falcons in want of go rush assist, they selected to maneuver up with the Seattle Seahawks, giving up third and seventh spherical picks within the course of. Atlanta opted for McKinley, who had 10 sacks and 18 tackles-for-loss in his remaining season at UCLA.

McKinley’s early returns had been promising. As a rookie, he performed in 16 video games on a staff that not solely made the playoffs, however received on the highway, earlier than shedding to the eventual Tremendous Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. McKinley had six sacks and 7 TFLs, setting himself up for a breakout sophomore season during which he began 8 video games and posted seven sacks.

After his first two seasons, McKinley appeared primed to claim himself as one of many higher younger go rushers within the NFL. Whereas he began 13 video games in 2019, he solely totaled 3.5 sacks and seven TFLs. The bounceback many had been hoping for in 2020 by no means got here. He began 4 video games earlier than succumbing to a groin damage and lacking a number of video games. He was waived later that season after making claims in regards to the Falcons not honoring his commerce requests.

McKinley agreed to phrases with the Cincinnati Bengals the next week however failed his bodily and returned to free company. He signed with the Cleveland Browns for the 2021 season and began two out of 11 video games earlier than struggling a torn achilles. He had 2.5 sacks and three TFLs on the time of his damage. McKinley is now a free agent.

Spherical 3, Decide No. 76: Duke Riley, LB, LSU

After having nice success the 12 months earlier than with LSU linebacker Deion Jones, Atlanta returned to the properly in 2017 by drafting the participant who changed Jones within the Tigers’ protection. Riley began 16 video games over two seasons in Atlanta, racking up 90 tackles, two of which had been for loss.

Riley was traded to Philadelphia in September of 2019, 4 video games into his third season in Atlanta. He largely performed a particular groups function with the Eagles that season, however stepped into a bigger function the next 12 months, posting 55 tackles for a Philadelphia staff starved of linebackers.

One Riley’s rookie contract ended, he signed with the Miami Dolphins for the 2021 season. The 27-year-old re-signed with the staff in March after contributing 26 complete tackles, engaged on sub downs and particular groups.

Spherical 4, Decide No. 136: Sean Harlow, OG, Oregon State

Following the loss in Tremendous Bowl LI, beginning proper guard Chris Chester introduced his retirement, opening up a place within the offensive line room. Enter Harlow, a participant who earned second staff All-PAC 12 honors whereas having expertise in any respect 5 offensive line positions.

On paper, Harlow was a strong decide whose versatility might’ve saved the staff a roster spot. Nevertheless, he was minimize by the Falcons proper earlier than the beginning of his second season, after not taking part in as a rookie. Harlow spent a while on the Colts apply squad earlier than returning to Atlanta and signing a future’s contract. He started the 2019 season on Atlanta’s apply squad earlier than being elevated to the staff’s roster for one sport. He spent the complete 2020 season on the Falcons apply squad.

Harlow joined the Arizona Cardinals in January of 2021, showing in 15 video games and making 5 begins. He’s slated to return to the staff for the 2022 season.

Damontae Kazee

Brian Hill

Eric Saubert

Spherical 5, Decide No. 149: Damontae Kazee, DB, San Diego State

Kazee got here to Atlanta with a wonderful pedigree because the two-time Mountain West Convention Defensive Participant of the 12 months, a feat that no different Mountain West defensive again had completed. Kazee had six or extra interceptions in each seasons, including a component of ball expertise that Atlanta’s secondary lacked the 12 months earlier than.

Whereas transitioning from cornerback to security within the NFL is troublesome, Kazee tailored shortly; he led the league in interceptions with seven in simply his second season. He began 29 out of 32 video games in 2018 and 2019, racking up 156 tackles and 10 interceptions. Kazee established himself as one of many higher younger safeties within the league getting into a contract season in 2020, however suffered a torn ACL in week 4.

Atlanta’s new regime selected to not maintain him, so Kazee reunited with former Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn in Dallas. Kazee began 15 video games for the Cowboys, totaling 52 tackles and two interceptions. He’s at the moment a free agent.

Spherical 5, Decide No. 156: Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming

Whereas operating again wasn’t an enormous want for the 2017 Atlanta Falcons with stars Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman already on the roster, they opted to pick Hill, who ran for over 1,800 yards in his remaining season with Wyoming. Hill additionally supplied particular groups worth, making him a precious roster piece.

Hill solely appeared in a single sport for Atlanta earlier than being waived in October, although he returned to the staff’s apply squad. The Cincinnati Bengals signed him away from Atlanta lower than a month later, and he performed in an extra six video games, speeding for 37 yards on 11 carries. Hill was waived by Cincinnati proper earlier than the beginning of the 2018 season, and Atlanta claimed him off waivers. He remained with the Falcons for the following three seasons, his finest 12 months coming in 2020, when he put up 465 speeding yards on 100 carries and 199 receiving yards on 25 catches, cementing himself as a weekly contributor.

Hill bounced round in 2021, spending time with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers. He’s at the moment a free agent.

Spherical 5, Decide No. 174: Eric Saubert, TE, Drake

Saubert’s decide carried a big particular groups influence for the Falcons. Regardless of not catching a single go in 2017, he nonetheless appeared in 14 video games. The next 12 months, he performed in all 16, even beginning one, and added 5 receptions for 48 yards. Nevertheless, he was traded to the New England Patriots in August of 2019 earlier than being minimize lower than a month later.

Saubert spent a lot of that season on the Las Vegas Raiders apply squad. The Chicago Bears claimed him in late November; he caught two passes for 21 yards in two appearances. The Bears let Saubert stroll in September of 2020, although he was shortly picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the place he began 4 video games and caught three passes for 16 yards throughout eight appearances.

Saubert loved his finest season up to now in 2021 with the Denver Broncos, taking part in in all 17 video games, beginning 4, and accumulating 47 yards on eight catches, together with his first profession landing. He’s at the moment a free agent.

In Assessment

The Falcons’ 2017 draft class had moments of brilliance, that includes 13 sacks in two seasons from first rounder Takkarist McKinley, and 7 interceptions in 12 months two from Damontae Kazee. Nevertheless, no person from the category remains to be on the staff, and Atlanta was unable to return to the playoffs after their rookie season ended.

In the end, this class will be chalked up as fairly underwhelming. This draft proves that any draft class is extremely necessary and may dictate a staff’s foreseeable future. For Falcons followers, they hope Terry Fontenot can erase a number of the ache along with his draft class this weekend.