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2011 Falcons Draft Picks: Julio Jones, Akeem Dent Lead Instant Impact Players

The Atlanta Falcons went all in this weekend's 2011 NFL Draft, pulling off a huge trade with long-term consequences to add WR Julio Jones in the name of explosiveness. A smaller trade netted them the appropriately small Jacquizz Rodgers, who'll also add versatility to the offense.

Akeem Dent and Matt Bosher should also be game-one contributors, though we still haven't figured out whether Bosher is a punter or a kicker. As is Thomas Dimitroff's custom, the Birds also added depth on both sides of the line, picking up Andrew Jackson and Cliff Matthews to provide spackle and eventually bolster rotations, if all goes well.

While the team will certainly grab a few players off of the undrafted free agents list, and is expected to try and import a new pass rusher such as Minnesota Vikings DE Ray Edwards, this right here is the bulk of Flowery Branch reinforcements that will try to help the team become the first to repeat as NFC South champs:

 

Player College SB Nation College Blog Pick Height, Weight

 

Julio Jones, WR Alabama Crimson Tide Roll Bama Roll Round 1, Pick 6 via Cleveland Browns 6'3", 220

 

Akeem Dent, LB Georgia Bulldogs Dawg Sports Round 3, Pick 27 6'1", 242

 

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB Oregon St. Beavers Building The Dam Round 5, Pick 145 via St. Louis Rams 5'6", 196

 

Matt Bosher, K/P Miami Hurricanes The 7th Floor Round 6, Pick 192 6'1", 208

 

Andrew Jackson, OG Fresno St. Bulldogs Mountain West Connection Round 7, Pick 210 6'5", 299

 

Cliff Matthews, DE South Carolina Gamecocks Garnet & Black Attack Round 7, Pick 230 6'4", 257

For more on the NFL Draft, join Mocking The Draft and browse SB Nation's 2011 NFL Draft hub. More local NFL Draft resources: live discussion of Falcons picks at The Falcoholic; coverage of the Falcons and NFC South for rounds one, two and three and rounds four through seven; final conference tallies for the SEC and ACC; and pre-Draft coverage of the Falcons and SEC and ACC prospects.

Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.