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The 2009 NFL Draft is now in the books.  It was a day of football super hype where we won’t know the true outcome of who was right and who was wrong for another 4 years, but that will never stop us from offering our critique today.

I will of course start this all with “I was right.”  Go back and read my preview and you will see that I stated if Peria Jerry was on the board, then we [Atlanta Falcons] take him regardless.  For those that have known me over the years know that this is a big deal for me to get a pick right.  So therefore, I throw to you my new favorite joke.

Hip! Hip! Peria!  (You pronounce his name as Per-RAY)

Overall, the Falcons draft grade from me is (B+). Here’s the quick summary of the picks thanks to NFL.com.

1. Peria Jerry (Mississippi) – Defensive Tackle, Round 1 Selection 24 ==> The Falcons address their thin defensive line by picking up Jerry. As a hard-working one-gap penetrator, Jerry gives Mike Smith the “3-technique” that he covets in the middle of the defense. Though Jerry’s production in college was a byproduct of an aggressive movement system, he’s a solid player who fits in well with the Falcons.
2. William Moore (Missouri) – Safety, Round 2 Selection 23 (55 Overall) ==> The former Tiger was regarded as a top-tier prospect heading into his senior season until injuries and inconsistency derailed his play. In spite of those flaws, he’s an intriguing prospect with the potential to blossom in the Falcons’ two-deep scheme. His range is above average and he has a knack for coming down with INTs. If he plays to his potential, he’s one of the draft’s biggest sleepers.
3. Christopher Owens (San Jose State) – Cornerback, Round 3 Selection 26 (90 Overall) ==> The Falcons pick up an aggressive corner with good cover skills. Owens loves to challenge receivers with his physical style, and he’ll compete for time as a nickel or dime corner in the Falcons’ sub-package.
4. Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. (Richmond) – Defensive End, Round 4 Selection 25 (125 Overall) ==> Sidbury Jr. played in the Shrine Game and then flew right to the Senior Bowl. He has really good pass-rushing skills and had 37 tackles for loss and 20 sacks in college. He’ll be a situational pass rusher for the Falcons.
5. William Middleton (Furman) – Cornerback, Round 5 Selection 2 (138 Overall) ==> The Falcons continue to stockpile defensive players on the draft’s second day. Middleton gives the team another athletic corner to groom as an eventual nickel or dime defender in their sub-packages.
6. Garrett Reynolds (North Carolina) – Offensive Tackle, Round 5 Selection 20 (156 Overall) ==> The former Tar Heel is a tough, hard-nosed blocker with the size to be an imposing right tackle as a pro. With time, Reynolds could develop into a potential starter.
7. Spencer Adkins (Miami) – Linebacker, Round 6 Selection 3 (176 Overall) ==> Adkins is an undersized linebacker with excellent speed. He’s a very good kick coverage player on special teams. The Falcons can use Adkins to beef up their special teams.
8. Vance Walker (Georgia Tech) – Defensive Tackle, Round 7 Selection 1 (210 Overall ==> Walker had 29 starts in college with 11.5 sacks. He did not have a great Senior Bowl week, but he was struggling with a bum ankle. Walker ran slow at the combine, which is why he fell down the draft. He fits in a four-man front that stunts and is a one-gap guy. He helps the Falcons add depth to what was a depleted defensive tackle position.

Otherwise, here are my quick hit thoughts from the draft.

• Is Oakland trying to create the NFL’s version of the Florida Gators?  Their huge reach in the first round was fueled by speed more than anything else.  Why not take Crabtree who was available instead of going after the 5th best available WR, Darrius Heyward-Bey?  Did his grandfather play in the NFL and that’s who Al Davis thought he was picking?
• Yay, the Jets have a QB.  Now I’ll get to hear about nothing else from Mike & Mike in the morning other than the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.
• If I was an NFL team and the Patriots offered to trade their picks to me, I’d quickly hang up the phone because I would know that whatever I use that pick for would be wrong.  How many more years before the petition the league to remove their requirement for accepting a 1st round pick?  I know of no other team that continues to try to trade further and further down the draft.
• There was no real crier this year because you can’t pick Michael Oher due to his situation/story.  However, Michael Crabtree was as close as you could get.
• Michael Oher has a great story so I’m going to make a terrible joke here and state that I need to start timing the homeless that I see to scout for the best 40 time.

Georgia Players Selected

• Mattew Stafford (QB) – Detroit Lions, Round 1 Selection 1 (1 Overall)
• Knowshon Moreno (RB) – Denver Broncos, Round 1 Selection 12 (12 Overall)
• Mohamed Massaquoi (WR) – Cleveland Browns, Round 2 Selection 18 (50 Overal)
• Asher Allen (CB) – Minnesota Vikings, Round 3 Selection 22 (86 Overall)
• Corey Irvin (DL) – Carolina Panthers, Round 3 Selection 29 (93 Overall)
• Jarius Wynn (DE) – Green Bay Packers, Round 6 Selection 9 (182 Overall)

And if it matters, this year’s “Mr. Irrelevant” is Ryan Succop, a kicker from South Carolina.