Third Round
Name: Chevis Jackson
Position: Cornerback
School: LSU
Of note: Jackson was LSU's shutdown corner, taking on No. 1 receivers from around the SEC. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 25.61 percent of passes thrown in Jackson's area. Jackson was a staple in LSU's defense since he was a true freshman. In 50 games with the Tigers, Jackson saw time in 40, recording 142 tackles and eight interceptions.
Analysis: Jackson is a huge value pick at No. 68 overall. The Falcons fill a big need with Jackson, considering the departure of Pro Bowl corner DeAngelo Hall to Oakland. Jackson will likely compete with veteran Von Hutchins, who signed with the Falcons from Houston in free agency. Jackson can also return punts, which means he could compete with returner Adam Jennings for a spot on special teams.
Name: Harry Douglas
Position: Wide receiver
School: Louisville
Of note: Douglas is an Atlanta area product, graduating from Jonesboro High School. Douglas is a relative unknown, primarily because he started just 19 games out of 46 in his college career. Douglas did, however, account for 10 100-yard receiving performances, and his 2,924 receiving yards rank second in Louisville's history.
Analysis: The Falcons made a good move here to provide some competition at the wide receiver spot. Roddy White has the top spot locked up, but the inconsistencies of Michael Jenkins, Joe Horn and Jennings last year put Douglas right in the mix. Second-year receiver Laurent Robinson will likely take the No. 2 spot, but Douglas could be a valuable slot receiver if he hands prove to be a little more reliable.
Name: Thomas DeCoud
Position: Safety
School: California
Of note: DeCoud started his college career as a cornerback and shifted to free safety as a sophomore, which means he has a lot of versatility in the secondary. As a junior, DeCoud earned the starting spot at free safety and captured Cal's most improved player award. He became a captain as a senior and was named Cal's MVP and an All-Pac 10 honorable mention selection.
Analysis: The Falcons are thinking long-term with this pick. Considering DeCoud's ability to play any position in the secondary, Atlanta might groom him to take over for 33-year-old Lawyer Milloy whenever he steps away from the game. DeCoud is good against the run and seems to have the physical abilities and knowledge to compete for a starting spot down the road.
Fifth round
Name: Robert James
Position: Outside linebacker
School: Arizona State
Of note: James led the Sun Devils in tackles last year and earned All-Pac-10 first-team honors. He accounted for 146 tackles - 20 for loss - and 5.5 sacks during his senior season. He started his college career as a cornerback and was moved to linebacker before the 2005 season. Nicknamed "The Beast" by his college teammates.
Analysis: The Falcons went for depth here. With Stephen Nichols and Michael Boley set to start on the outside this year, and after drafting Curtis Lofton, who can play both outside and middle, in the second round, James likely will end up being a situational player for the first part of his career.
Name: Kroy Biermann
Position: Defensive end
School: Montana
Of note: Biermann became the first player from Montana to win the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the FCS. Led the Big Sky Conference with 15 sacks, which ranked for second most in the nation. Biermann had 32 sacks in his college career.
Analysis: Biermann could be one of the big sleepers of the draft. He played defensive end in college, but was switched to weakside linebacker for the Hula Bowl. He will likely stay at defensive end for the Falcons. His size - 6-foot-3, 241 pounds - makes him a tweener at the position and he could have a tough time against much bigger opponents. Overall, however, he's a good pass-rusher who could contribute in time.
Sixth round
Name: Thomas Brown
Position: Running back
School: Georgia
Of note: Brown finished his career with the Bulldogs with 529 carries for 2,646 yards, good enough for fifth in school history. As a freshman at Georgia, Brown made an immediate impact and looked to only improve throughout his college career. Injuries, however, became a problem, and he faced quite a few durability questions in the draft process.
Analysis: Brown is a bit of a head-scratcher here. At 5-8, 204 pounds, he's a bit undersized. Adding to confusion is the fact that Michigan's Mike Hart was still on the board when the Falcons took Brown. Hart, who is also undersized, doesn't have the kind of injury concerns Brown comes with. The good news here is that the Falcons are hardly expecting Brown to contribute right away or very much at all. He'll likely be a special teamer and a situational back.
Seventh round
Name: Wilrey Fontenot
Position: Cornerback
School: Arizona
Of note: Fontenot logged 33 consecutive starts to end his career with the Wildcats. He played 95 percent of snaps throughout his college career. He recorded 40 tackles and one interception during his senior season and snagged just four interceptions in college.
Analysis: Fontenot could have been taken just to provide some competition at the corner spot or as a special teams player. With Jackson drafted in the third round and Chris Houston locked in on the other side as a starter, Fontenot can really only compete for a nickle spot at best.
Name: Keith Zinger
Position: Tight end
School: LSU
Of note: Zinger played in 14 games last season and caught three passes for 51 yards. His most notable catch last year came against Tennessee in the SEC championship game when he hauled in a 27-yard reception. He started three games during his junior year.
Analysis: Zinger seems like another pick taken to provide competition in training camp. The Falcons signed Jason Rader and Ben Hartsock during free agency and they still have Martrez Milner and Georgie Cooper on the roster, so there will be no shortage of tight ends come July. A glaring issue here, however, is that none of the five tight ends are true receiving tight ends. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's system doesn't call for one, but it's usually nice to have that option.
