by Pro Football Focus’ 2011 NFL Redraft sees Falcons abusing all-pro broad recipient
The Atlanta Falcons have really defined two movements for the past two decades. The first step was to select Boston College Quarterback Matt Ryan with the third general choice in the NFL design of 2008. Three years later, the Falcons exchanged the sixth general choice in the 2011 design to select Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones.
Ryan and Jones formed one of the most dynamic duos in the NFL history. Both players withdrew as the statistical leaders of Atlanta in their respective positions. Jones is a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Ryan has a considerable chance of being voted in the most exclusive club of the competition.
But what would have happened if the Falcons Jones never prepared? In Pro Football Focus’ 2011 NFL Redraft, the sevenfold Pro Bowl receiver did not even get out of the top five.
So instead of adding the most productive recipient in the franchise history, the Falcons remained in Pick No. 27 and set up Cornerback Jimmy Smith.
Smith’s size and man-to-man power were valuable assets during his 11-year career in Baltimore. He registered an 81.5 pff-coverage figure and attracted himself in 14 interceptions in the regular season and one late season for that period. Smith also played very well on a small workload in Super Bowl 47, which forced two incompleteness and a cover of 92.7 pff earned. – Pff’s Max Chadwick, Dalton Wasserman and Trevor Sikkema
Smith spent his entire career in Baltimore, and although he did not make a pro bowl, he was a reliable starter who helped the Ravens to secure the Super Bowl in 2013. The former Defensive Back of Colorado appeared in 128 games (90 Starts), defending 14 interceptions and 74 passes defended.
The Redraft of 2011 saw Jones selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the fourth overall choice. The Bengal originally took a broad recipient AJ Green on this place, but Pff thought that Jones was the better player during his NFL career.
There was a big debate on the way to the 2011 NFL design about whether AJ Green or Julio Jones was the best receiver perspective. The Bengal finally chose Green, who had an excellent career in Cincinnati. However, Jones became the better player. The two-time first team All-Pro registered a career 94.7 PFF general figure and was the second most valuable receiver in its 13 seasons, according to Pff-War. – Pff’s Max Chadwick, Dalton Wasserman and Trevor Sikkema
The Falcons still landed a quality player in the Redraft scenario of Pff, but it is difficult to imagine that Ryan once reached his MVP potential without Jones as his top weapon. While Atlanta did not catch the Super Bowl, the team came as close as possible to the NFL season 2016.
While the team is preparing for the 2025 season, a new duo has emerged. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. And broad recipient Drake London will try to get the Falcons back to the play -offs left for the first time since Ryan and Jones.
