GM Thomas Dimitroff is clearly building through the draft

[Geneaut]

FLOWERY BRANCH – A quick report from around the league reveals that the Falcons are amongst the leaders in a key category.

(A special thanks to Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer for compiling and sharing the data.)

Successful teams in the NFL build through the draft. It’s no coincidence that the Cleveland Browns only have 17 of their draft picks on the 53-man roster, which was submitted at the Saturday deadline.

Green Bay, generally considered a playoff contender, led the league with 36 drafted players.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers are second with 35 drafted players.

The Falcons were eighth with 31.

Indianapolis (34) and New England (32), two teams the Falcons have patterned themselves after, are also near the top the list.

The number includes only drafted players on the 53-man roster, not including undrafted free agents or guys on injured reserve of the physically unable to perform list.

A total of 12 of 22 projected starters were originally drafted by the Falcons. Seven of those projected starters were drafted by Dimitroff.

Another key factor in Dimitroff’s drafts has been his focus on drafting seniors that have been consistent and who improved over their collegiate careers. (And who didn’t play in the Big Ten!)

Over the last three drafts, 24 of the 26 players that the Falcons have selected were college

seniors, while 15 were either named or voted team captain by their coaches or peers.

Here’s a list of teams and how many players they drafted who made their 53-man roster.

TEAM DRAFTED PLAYERS

Green Bay 36

Carolina 35

Pittsburgh 35

Indianapolis 34

Tennessee 34

New England 32

Oakland 32

San Francisco 32

Atlanta 31

Dallas 31

New York Giants 31

Baltimore 29

Houston 29

Tampa Bay 29

Cincinnati 28

Jacksonville 28

Philadelphia 28

San Diego 28

Buffalo 27

Minnesota 27

Arizona 26

Chicago 26

Detroit 24

Kansas City 24

St. Louis 24

Seattle 24

New Orleans 23

Denver 22

Miami 21

New York Jets 21

Cleveland 17

Washington 17

Edited September 10, 2010 by Geneaut