The Atlanta Falcons traded their first round pick in 2011 (#27 overall), 2nd round pick (#59 overall), 4th round pick (#124 overall) plus their first round pick in 2012 and a 4th round pick in 2012 for the right to move up to the #6 pick overall and take WR Julio Jones.  The 22-year old Jones is a big guy at 6’4″, 220 pounds and he runs a 4.5 40.  He is a great runner after the catch and he’s also an outstanding run blocker.  Jones played in 13 games (all starts) at Alabama last season and he caught 78 passes for 1,133 yards (14.5 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  He played in 40 games (all starts) in his three years at Alabama and he caught 179 passes for 2,653 yards (14.8 avg) with 15 TD grabs.  The price was high to secure Julio Jones, but it’s likely to be worth it as teams will now pay for double teaming Roddy White all of the time.

The Atlanta Falcons are going to be looking to fill needs next weekend.  With that in mind, this is who I had the Falcons picking in my mock draft:

1st round (#27 overall) – Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

2nd round (#59 overall) – Davon House, CB, New Mexico State

3rd round (#91 overall) – Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska

4th round (#124 overall) – Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh

5th round (#158 overall) – Cecil Shorts III, WR, Mount Union

6th round (#192 overall) – Brian Rolle, OLB, Ohio State

7th round (#210 overall) – Jamel Hamber, WR, Fresno State

7th round (#229 overall) – DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB, Miami (FL)

7th round (#230 overall) – Joe Lefeged, S, Rutgers

This would be an awesome haul for the Falcons as the pass rush would be boosted and Matt Ryan would get some new guys to throw the football to.

The Atlanta Falcons tried to fill a bunch of need positions in last year’s NFL Draft but it didn’t go too well.  Here is a look at how the rookies did last year:

Sean Weatherspoon – In the first round the Falcons used the 19th overall pick on OLB Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri.  He played in 11 games (5 starts) for the Falcons last year and he had 42 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 sack.  Weatherspoon dealt with injuries most of last season and the Falcons hope he will improve if he can just stay healthy.

Corey Peters – The Falcons used the 83rd overall pick (3rd round) on DT Corey Peters out of Kentucky.  Peters played in 16 games (15 starts) for the Falcons last year and he had 33 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack and 1 pass defensed.  Peters instantly was one of the better run defenders on the Falcons, so he was a good pick and he has a solid future.

Mike Johnson – The Falcons picked OG Mike Johnson in the 3rd round (#98 overall) out of Alabama.  Johnson didn’t play in any games last year but he wasn’t hurt.  He will have to step up his game if he wants to keep getting paid to play football.

Joe Hawley – The Falcons picked C/OG Joe Hawley in the 4th round (#117 overall) out of UNLV.  He played in 15 games (0 starts) for the Falcons last year.  The Falcons like Hawley because he’s very aggressive.   He will likely be a starter in the near future for the Falcons.

Dominique Franks – The Falcons picked CB Dominique Franks in the 5th round (#135 overall) out of Oklahoma.  Franks played in 2 games (0 starts) for the Falcons last year and he had 1 tackle, 1 pass defensed and a interception that he returned 40 yards.  Franks has the potential to help the Falcons on D and he could possibly return kicks or punts if they need him to.

Kerry Meier – The Falcons took WR Kerry Meier in the 5th round (#165 overall) out of Kansas.  He looked good in training camp before an injury put him on Injured Reserve last August.  Meier will get another chance for the Falcons in 2011.

Shann Schillinger – The Falcons took  FS Shann Schillinger in the 6th round (#171 overall) out of Montana.  Schillinger played in 15 games (0 starts) for the Falcons last year and he had 8 tackles.  Schillinger is a decent special teams player and he might help out on D down the road.

GRADE FOR 2010 SEASON:  C-

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  C