The Atlanta Falcons have a storied history of first-round picks on the NFL Draft circuit. Since the turn of the century, they’ve selected inside the top 10 on 10 occasions, adding impact players like Julio Jones, Matt Ryan, and Michael Vick. But the team’s track record of success spans even farther back, all the way to the mid-20th century.
Atlanta Falcons First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
Across nearly 60 Falcons first-round picks since 1966, only two have gone on to make the Hall of Fame: 1968 defensive end Claude Humphrey and 1989 cornerback Deion Sanders.
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![atlanta falcons first round draft picks](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 250 175"></svg> "History of Atlanta Falcons First-Round NFL Draft Picks All Time")
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That said, the Falcons may soon have another Round 1 selection to earn a golden jacket in receiver Julio Jones, who earned seven Pro Bowl berths and two All-Pro selections from 2011 to 2019.
2023
- Bijan Robinson | Pick 8
RB, Texas
2022
- Drake London | Pick 8
WR, USC
2021
- Kyle Pitts | Pick 4
TE, Florida
2020
- A.J. Terrell | Pick 16
CB, Clemson
2019
- Chris Lindstrom | Pick 14
G, Boston College - Kaleb McGary | Pick 31
OT, Washington
2018
- Calvin Ridley | Pick 26
WR, Alabama
2017
- Takkarist McKinley | Pick 26
DE, UCLA
2016
- Keanu Neal | Pick 17
S, Florida
2015
- Vic Beasley | Pick 8
OLB, Clemson
2014
- Jake Matthews | Pick 6
OT, Texas A&M
2013
- Desmond Trufant | Pick 22
DB, Washington
2012
The Falcons traded their 2012 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns when trading up for Julio Jones in 2011.
2011
- Julio Jones | Pick 6
WR, Alabama
2010
- Sean Weatherspoon | Pick 19
LB, Missouri
2009
- Peria Jerry | Pick 24
DT, Mississippi
2008
- Matt Ryan | Pick 3
QB, Boston College - Sam Baker | Pick 21
OT, USC
2007
- Jamaal Anderson | Pick 8
DE, Arkansas
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2006
The Falcons traded the 15th pick to the Denver Broncos. They then traded the 29th pick to the New York Jets.
2005
- Roddy White | Pick 27
WR, UAB
2004
- DeAngelo Hall | Pick 8
DB, Virginia Tech - Michael Jenkins | Pick 29
WR, Ohio State
2003
The Falcons traded the 23rd pick to the Buffalo Bills.
2002
- T.J. Duckett | Pick 18
RB, Michigan State
2001
- Michael Vick | Pick 1
QB, Virginia Tech
2000
The Falcons traded the fifth pick to the Baltimore Ravens.
1999
- Patrick Kerney | Pick 30
DE, Virginia
1998
- Keith Brooking | Pick 12
LB, Georgia Tech
1997
- Michael Booker | Pick 11
DB, Nebraska
1996
The Falcons traded the 19th pick to the Indianapolis Colts.
1995
- Devin Bush Sr. | Pick 26
DB, Florida State
1994
The Falcons traded the seventh pick to the Indianapolis Colts.
1993
- Lincoln Kennedy | Pick 9
OT, Washington
1992
- Bob Whitfield | Pick 8
OT, Stanford - Tony Smith | Pick 19
RB, Southern Miss
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1991
- Bruce Pickens | Pick 3
DB, Nebraska - Mike Pritchard | Pick 13
WR, Colorado
1990
- Steve Broussard | Pick 20
RB, Washington State
1989
- Deion Sanders* | Pick 5
DB, Florida State - Shawn Collins | Pick 27
WR, Northern Arizona
1988
- Aundray Bruce | Pick 1
LB, Auburn
1987
- Chris Miller | Pick 13
QB, Oregon
1986
- Tony Casillas | Pick 2
DT, Oklahoma - Tim Green | Pick 17
LB, Syracuse
1985
- Bill Fralic | Pick 2
G, Pittsburgh
1984
- Rick Bryan | Pick 9
DE, Oklahoma
1983
- Mike Pitts | Pick 16
DT, Alabama
1982
- Gerald Riggs | Pick 9
RB, Arizona State
1981
- Bobby Butler | Pick 25
DB, Florida State
1980
- Junior Miller | Pick 7
TE, Nebraska
1979
- Don Smith | Pick 17
DT, Miami (FL)
1978
- Mike Kenn | Pick 13
OT, Michigan
1977
- Warren Bryant | Pick 6
OT, Kentucky - Wilson Faumuina | Pick 20
DT, San Jose State
1976
- Bubba Bean | Pick 9
RB, Texas A&M
1975
- Steve Bartkowski | Pick 1
QB, California
1974
The Falcons traded the 17th pick to the Minnesota Vikings.
1973
The Falcons traded the 14th pick to the Houston Oilers.
1972
- Clarence Ellis | Pick 15
DB, Notre Dame
1971
- Joe Profit | Pick 7
RB, Louisiana-Monroe
1970
- John Small | Pick 12
DT, The Citadel
1969
- George Kunz | Pick 2
OT, Notre Dame
1968
- Claude Humphrey* | Pick 3
DE, Tennessee State
1967
The Falcons traded the third pick to the Houston Oilers.
1966
- Tommy Nobis | Pick 1
LB, Texas - Randy Johnson | Pick 16
QB, Texas A&M-Kingsville
* Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
