NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 33
Next
Michael Vick
Michael Vick (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: Atlanta Falcons, QB Michael Vick

Pick: 2001 NFL Draft, 1st round number 1 overall

Stats:

  • 22,464 passing yards
  • 133 passing touchdowns
  • 6,109 rushing yards
  • 36 rushing touchdowns

Awards:

  • 4 time Pro Bowler
  • 2010 Comeback Player of the Year

It was love at first sight for the Atlanta Falcons. Going into the 2001 NFL Draft, they decided to hand their first and third-round picks over to the Chargers in order to move up and grab their man.

For newly acquired quarterback Michael Vick, it felt as though time stopped every time he stepped onto the field. Weirdly enough, the Falcons didn’t just hand the reins over to him immediately. Vick began his career watching from the sidelines as he started only two games during the 2001 season, but it was a completely different story in year two. Vick was a menace with both his arm and legs. Highlight videos of Vick running right by defenders were played on a seemingly never-ending loop during sports shows.

In total, Vick’s time in Atlanta lasted six years. During his time, he dragged those underwhelming Falcon teams to the playoffs only twice and never came close to sniffing a Super Bowl appearance.

Current quarterback Matt Ryan was heavily considered for this spot. As previously mentioned, Vick’s playoff appearances in an Atlanta jersey came few and far between, while Ryan, on the other hand, came within a quarter and a half of bringing home a Super Bowl win. Regardless of that, no one was as electrifying as Vick during his time in Atlanta. He single-handedly placed them back on the map and with Ryan’s inability to get the job done on the biggest of stages, Vick takes home the number one spot for the best pick in Atlanta Falcons history.

Home/NFL