NFL Draft: Best Value Picks in Atlanta Falcons History
The NFL Draft continues tonight with the second and third round, followed by the fourth-seventh rounds tomorrow. As important as getting a great player in the first round is to a franchise, finding value picks later in the draft is just as vital for championship aspirations. Here's a list of ten notable Atlanta Falcons players drafted after the first round.
Ken Reaves
Year: 1966
Drafted: 49th overall (round 4)
College: Norfolk State
Position: Safety
Career Highlights: Reaves was one of the original Falcons and spent the first eight years of his 12 year career in Atlanta.
Greg Brezina
Year: 1968
Drafted: 275th overall (11th round)
College: Houston
Position: Linebacker
Career Highlights: Played 12 seasons for the Falcons and went to the 1969 Pro Bowl.
Jeff Van Note
Year: 1969
Drafted: 262nd overall (11th round)
College: Kentucky
Position: Center
Career Highlights: Played 18 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and was named to five Pro Bowls.
Elbert Sheeley
Year: 1987
Drafted: 292nd overall (11th round)
College: Arkansas State
Position: Defensive Back
Career Highlights: Played his entire 10 year career in Atlanta and went to four Pro Bowls as a special teams player.
Chuck Smith
Year: 1992
Drafted: 51st overall (second round)
College: Tennessee
Position: Defensive End
Career Highlights: Starter on the 1998 team that went to the Super Bowl. He recorded 52.5 career sacks during his eight seasons with the Falcons.
Jamal Anderson
Year: 1995
Drafted: 201st overall (7th round)
College: Utah
Position: Running Back
Career Highlights: Led the NFC with 1,846 rushing yards in 1998.
Todd McClure
Year: 1999
Drafted: 231st overall (7th round)
College: LSU
Position: Center
Career Highlights: Helped the Falcons reach the postseason six times during his 14 year career.
Alge Crumpler
Year: 2001
Drafted: 35h overall (second round)
College: North Carolina
Position: Tight End
Career Highlights: Went to four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2003-2006. Crumpler had 2,983 receiving yards and 22 touchdown catches during that stretch.
Stephen Nicholas
Year: 2007
Drafted: 109th overall (round 4)
College: South Florida
Position: Linebacker
Career Highlights: Nicholas has been a regular starter for the Falcons over the last four years. He led the Falcons in tackles this past season.
Thomas Decoud
Year: 2008
Drafted: 98th overall (round 3)
College: California
Position: Safety
Career Highlights: Decoud made six interceptions last year and has emerged as one of the better safeties in the NFL.
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