Piling Dirt on Rich McKay

Here is Football Outsiders' All Rookie Team and it is completely bereft of Falcons. There are 40 players listed, but a team that drafted in the top ten and had plenty of playing time available could not get one of them onto the list.

The list also illustrates what the Falcons may have lost by winning yesterday. If the Falcons would have lost, they would have had the second or third pick in the Draft. By winning, they could fall as low as fifth. Now, let's assume that they are interested in an offensive tackle (as they certainly should be). They're less likely to get the top tackle (presumably Jake Long) at the #5 pick as opposed being at #2 or #3. Now, look at that rookie list. You think the Falcons regret taking the second defensive end on the board (Jammal Anderson) over the first (Gaines Adams)? You think that Cleveland isn't happy that they landed Joe Thomas (16 starts and likely second place in offensive rookie of the year voting) over Levi Brown (11starts)? You think that Houston isn't happy that they landed Amobi Okoye (32 tackles, 5.5 sacks) over Justin Harrell (inactive for the first nine games)? I'd be an idiot to argue that the second-ranked player at a position is always significantly inferior to the top-ranked player, but this season provided plenty of illustration that being slightly higher in the draft order is very important.

For the record, if Jake Long is off the board, then I want the Falcons to take Glenn Dorsey. The team is certainly not set at defensive tackle and I'd rather have the top defensive tackle than the second-best offensive tackle. Whatever happens, I don't think that any of the available quarterbacks are worth a #5 pick and that especially goes for Matt Ryan, who is colossally overrated.