Pro Football Focus’ 2011 NFL redraft sees Falcons miss out on All-Pro wide receiver

Two moves have really defined the Atlanta Falcons over the last two decades. The first move was selecting Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Three years later, the Falcons traded up to the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft to select Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones.

Ryan and Jones formed one of the most dynamic duos in NFL history. Both players retired as Atlanta’s franchise statistical leaders at their respective positions. Jones is a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Ryan has a decent chance to be voted into the league’s most exclusive club.

But what would have happened if the Falcons never drafted Jones? In Pro Football Focus’ 2011 NFL redraft, the seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver didn’t even make it out of the top five.

So instead of adding the most productive receiver in franchise history, the Falcons stayed at pick No. 27 and drafted cornerback Jimmy Smith.

Smith’s size and man-to-man ability were valuable assets during his 11-year career in Baltimore. He recorded an 81.5 PFF coverage grade and hauled in 14 regular-season interceptions and one postseason pick across that span. Smith also played very well on a small workload in Super Bowl 47, forcing two incompletions and earning a 92.7 PFF coverage grade. — PFF’s Max Chadwick, Dalton Wasserman and Trevor Sikkema

Smith spent his entire career in Baltimore, and despite not making a Pro Bowl, he was a dependable starter that helped the Ravens secure the Super Bowl in 2013. The former Colorado defensive back appeared in 128 games (90 starts), recording 14 interceptions and 74 passes defended.

The 2011 redraft saw Jones selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the fourth overall pick. The Bengals originally took wide receiver A.J. Green at this spot, but PFF felt Jones was the better player throughout his NFL career.

There was a big debate heading into the 2011 NFL Draft over whether A.J. Green or Julio Jones was the top wide receiver prospect. The Bengals ultimately picked Green, who went on to have an excellent career in Cincinnati. However, Jones ended up being the better player. The two-time first-team All-Pro recorded a career 94.7 PFF overall grade and was the second-most-valuable receiver across his 13 seasons, according to PFF WAR. — PFF’s Max Chadwick, Dalton Wasserman and Trevor Sikkema

The Falcons still landed a quality player in PFF’s redraft scenario, however, it’s hard to imagine Ryan ever reaching his MVP potential without Jones as his top weapon. While Atlanta didn’t capture the Super Bowl, the team got as close as humanly possible during the 2016 NFL season.

As the team prepares for the 2025 season, a new duo has emerged. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Drake London will look to get the Falcons back to the playoffs for the first time since Ryan and Jones departed.