2011 NFL Draft Class
Dante Fowler Jr., Randy Gregory, Shane Ray, Vic Beasley, Bud Dupree...for the Atlanta Falcons the question of what to do with the 8th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft is uncomplicated. For a team that hasn't featured a young pass rusher since the days of Patrick Kerney, drafting an impact edge rusher would attack the team's most glaring defensive weakness.
The comparisons for this pass rush class have already been made to the 2011 class. In the 2011 draft, seven edge rushers were taken in the first round. Six of those players have already made at least one pro bowl during the course of their careers.
History repeating itself would be great for the 2015 Falcons draft as we ponder and argue over who to draft. Because most of the teams who took an edge rusher high in the draft in 2011 have been rewarded with outstanding production:
- 2nd overall - LB Von Miller - Denver Broncos: Has turned in three pro bowl seasons over his four year career. A positive NFL substance abuse test took him off the field for six games in 2013. Thus far has recorded 49 sacks and 13 forced fumbles during his career
- 7th overall - LB Aldon Smith - San Francisco 49ers: A troubled but very productive player. Has already served a nine game suspension for substance abuse and has had trouble with alcohol. When on the field, Smith has been a destructive force who recorded 33 sacks in his first two seasons. Despite the suspension, Smith has recorded 44 sacks and forced six fumbles thus far.
- 11th overall - DE JJ Watt - Houston Texans: There is no better defensive player in football right now. Watt is a dominant force who has garnered MVP discussion over his past two seasons. Has taken down the quarterback 57 times thus far in his career along with 12 forced fumbles.
- 14th overall - DE Robert Quinn - St. Louis Rams: Dropped in the draft due to a childhood brain tumor that concerned some teams. A prototype 4-3 defensive end, Quinn has recorded 45 sacks over his career and forced 14 fumbles.
- 16th overall - LB Ryan Kerrigan - Washington Redskins: Made the conversion from defensive end to outside linebacker. Had his first double-digit sack season in 2014 after consistently solid numbers to start his career. Has now recorded 38 sacks and forced 15 fumbles in his four year career.