The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 45 Atlanta Falcons, 2001

45. Atlanta Falcons, 2001
Team Achievements: 47-48-1, during Vick's 6 years in Atlanta, 2 playoff berths.
Notable Selections: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech (No. 1), Alge Crumpler, TE, UNC (No. 35), Roberto Garza, G, Texas A&M-Kingsville (No. 99), Matt Stewart, LB, Vanderbilt (No. 102), Vinny Sutherland, WR, Purdue (No. 136), Kynan Forney, G, Hawaii (No. 219).
* Atlanta traded its fifth overall pick, third round pick, second round pick in 2002, and Tim Dwight to San Diego for the first overall selection.
Class Accolades: Michael Vick - 38-28-1 as the Falcons' starter, 3 Pro Bowls, 71 passing touchdowns, 52 interceptions, 11,505 passing yards, 3,859 career rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, 7.3 yards per carry with Falcons, 1,039 rushing yards in 2006.
Alge Crumpler - 4 Pro Bowls, 316 receptions, 4,212 yards, 35 touchdowns during 7 seasons in Atlanta.
Roberto Garza - 31 total starts as a Falcon.
Matt Stewart - 44 starts, 220 total tackles, 7 career sacks during 4 years with the team.
Kynan Forney - 89 career starts during 7-year Falcons' career.

Overall Draft Analysis: The Falcons' 2001 draft class remains amongst the most intriguing to critique. First, an accumulated stockpile of picks allowed the team to trade up to draft Michael Vick. In hindsight, keeping the picks or an alternative trade may have served advantageous to Atlanta, given the impressive depth of the 2001 draft pool. However, Vick's value to the team, organization, and city should not be understated. The electrifying 3-time Pro Bowler emerged as one of the NFL's most marketable players of all-time, generating incredible fan interest and enhancing revenue considerably for the Atlanta empire. Today, Vick's marketing potential remains impressive. CNBC's Darren Rovell reports, the former Hokie ranked No. 4 in jersey sales in 2009 on NFLshop.com, as merely an Eagles' backup player. On the field in Atlanta, Vick led a relatively lackluster supporting cast to two playoff berths, including a 2004 NFC Championship Game appearance. Ultimately, the quarterback's involvement in an illegal dog-fighting ring, and subsequent prison sentence, largely overshadows Vick's previous athletic accomplishments. The incident invariably altered the image of Vick, the Falcons, and the entire NFL in certain circles.

Besides the top-pick passer, the Falcon's 2001 draft class contributed significantly to the team's seasons of success. Crumpler assumed the role of Vick's "go-to" target, particularly in the red zone. The 4-time Pro Bowler ranks No. 1 in receiving touchdowns by NFC tight ends, during the past decade. Garza and Stewart performed as serviceable starters in Atlanta, while Forney's selection proved a seventh round steal, as a 5-year Falcons' starter. The rest of the draft class, including receiver Vinny Sutherland and end Randy Garner, failed to garner an impact in Atlanta. However, all of the team's picks in the first four rounds (and Forney) provided considerable value, fueling the Falcons' resurgence midway through the decade.

The Falcons' "Perfect Draft" in Retrospect:
(Keeping actual trades, only players of same position are eligible)
No. 1 - QB Drew Brees, No. 35 - TE Alge Crumpler, No. 99 - C Matt Lehr, No. 102 - LB Antonio Pierce (Undrafted), No. 136 - WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, No. 167 - DE Ellis Wyms, No. 215 - S Marlon McCree, No. 219 - G Kynan Forney, No. 226 DE - Joe Tafoya, No. 236 - Andre King.

Reference List:
All stats, draft results, and biographical information provided by www.pro-football-reference.com.
Rovell, Darren. "Exclusive: Favre, Vick At Top of Jersey List," http://www.cnbc.com/id/32628362.