'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NFL draft is quickly approaching, and the Atlanta Falcons will hope to remember this one as a turning point in their recent history, especially with the addition of Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons hope to address other significant gaps on their squad during the draft. Unfortunately, not many draft selections made by Atlanta in the past few years have worked out in the NFL.
Let's look at the Falcons' worst draft picks over the last 10 years as the 2024 NFL draft approaches.
Listing Falcons' worst draft picks in the last decade
#5) OL Jalen Mayfield - Third-round pick (2021)
Jalen Mayfield was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. He had a high ceiling as a young player and was projected to have considerable success in the league at the time. Nevertheless, the offensive lineman's performance throughout his tenure in Atlanta fell short of expectations.
Be the GM of your favorite team, use our free Mock Draft Simulator with trades
Mayfield was thrust into the starting lineup in his rookie season after preseason injuries sidelined other Falcons guards. He went on to make 16 starts that season, although he largely failed to find consistency.
Mayfield sustained a back issue during the final stretch of his rookie campaign, which persisted into the 2022 campaign. He was then placed on injured reserve for the whole of his second season in the league.
Mayfield was allowed to leave by the Falcons ahead of the 2023 campaign following a poor preseason showing.
#4) DL Marlon Davidson - Second-round pick (2020)
Marlon Davidson was viewed as a versatile athlete who could contribute pressure and be useful against the run. This was why the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Lower body problems plagued Davidson during his first two years with the Falcons, preventing him from playing enough in 2020 and 2021. The defensive lineman made just 19 appearances throughout that time, making one start.
Davidson had to begin the 2022 season on injured reserve due to a knee injury sustained in the early stages of the preseason. The Falcons decided to let him go halfway through the season.
#3) CB Jalen Collins - Second-round pick (2015)
The Falcons used a second-round pick to select Jalen Collins in the 2015 NFL draft. Although the player demonstrated his potential, he struggled with numerous off-field problems. He had served four suspensions for breaking the NFL's PES policy before the end of his third season in Atlanta. His suspensions were due to PED use as well as substance abuse.
Collins recorded 42 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions in 24 games for the Falcons. He didn’t stay with the team until his fourth year as the Falcons cut him following his 10-game ban to begin the 2017 campaign.
#2) DT Ra’Shede Hageman - Second round pick (2014)
Ra'Shede Hageman showed incredible athletic ability during his college career, which led the Falcons to select him in the second round of the 2014 draft.
Hageman had a lot of off-field problems in addition to his poor on-field performance during his tenure with the Falcons. He rarely looked good in the three seasons he spent with the team, accumulating 4.0 sacks and 61 total tackles. Hageman's legal issues led to his termination after the 2016 season.
#1) DE Takkarist McKinley - First-round pick (2017)
Nothing about Takkarist McKinley's time with the Falcons was particularly noteworthy, save from his remarkable draft statement after the team traded up to select him in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.
The Falcons forfeited picks 95 and 249 from their third and seventh rounds of the draft to trade up and choose McKinley. Additionally, they missed out on the opportunity to choose T.J. Watt, who is among the league's best-ever pass rushers.
A player must be ready to play right away when drafted in the first round. That was not the case for McKinley, as he failed to start even one game as a rookie.
McKinley played in 49 of 57 available games during his four seasons with the Falcons, and he only finished with 17.5 sacks. He constantly demonstrated a questionable attitude and many people assumed his outbursts were the result of an undiagnosed disorder.
