The Atlanta Falcons had a woeful 2013 campaign as they were hit by injuries up and down the roster.  A high first-round selection gives them a chance to select a quality player before they bounce back towards the play-offs.

First Round, Sixth Pick: Jake Matthews, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M

Matt Ryan was sacked a career-high 44 times in 2013 making an offensive tackle the number one priority.  Matthews is the perfect fit for the Falcons,  he is a technician who excels in a number of areas and is NFL ready.  The Falcons can thrust him into the line-up in week one and watch him flourish. (Grade: A+)

Second Round, 36th Pick: Ra’Shede Hageman, Defensive Tackle, Minnesota

Hageman is,  in many eyes,  a boom or bust prospect.  Nevertheless,  managing to pick him up in the second round is great value for the Falcons who need the pass rush help.  He is still raw but should the former Golden Gopher put his mind to it he can be a stud in the professional game. (Grade: A-)

Third Round, 68th Pick: Dezmen Southward, Safety, Wisconsin

The Falcons needed a free safety but the selection of Southward in the third round screams of a team who have panicked.  The former Wisconsin safety is still new to the position so there is potential but he does not move well and lives off big hits. (Grade: D+)

Fourth Round, 103rd Pick: Devonta Freeman, Running Back, Florida State

Freeman filled a running back need for Atlanta despite being similar to Jacquizz Rodgers.  He is an elusive,  slippery and decisive runner with a nose for the end zone.  Freeman could see plenty of playing time as a rookie. (Grade: B)

Fourth Round, 139th Pick: Prince Shembo, Outside Linebacker, Notre Dame

Shembo is an excellent ‘go-after-the-quarterback’ linebacker who can roam freely on the edge of the defense.  However,  Shembo brings with him baggage and was accused of sexual battery in college amongst other things. (Grade: C)

Fifth Round, 147th Pick: Ricardo Allen, Cornerback, Purdue

Allen is an undersized corner who displays mind-blowing agility and short-area quickness.  The Falcons have a solid group of corners with Desmond Trufant,  Robert Alford and Robert McClain already on the roster.  Allen adds good depth and can step in as a slot corner from the off. (Grade: A-)

Fifth Round, 168th Pick: Marquis Spruill, Inside Linebacker, Syracuse

Spruill will contribute on special teams right away while adding much needed depth to the linebacker position.  The Falcons have struggled with the position due to injuries in recent time and the vocal Spruill is a solid selection who could eventually see defensive playing time. (Grade: B)

Seventh Round, 253rd Pick: Yawin Smallwood, Outside Linebacker, Connecticut

As an excellent coverage linebacker,  Smallwood is an excellent seventh round selection.  Despite coming from a smaller school there is no reason why he cannot make the 53-man roster and develop into a sub package defender. (Grade: B+)

Seventh Round, 255th Pick: Tyler Starr, Outside Linebacker, South Dakota

Starr lived off bringing down quarterbacks at South Dakota with nine sacks and 15 tackles for a loss in 2013.  If he can progress under NFL tuition and adjust to the heightened competition he should make an NFL roster if it is not with the Falcons (Grade: B)

Final Grade: B

The Falcons nailed their first two selections and found contributers big and small throughout the rest of the draft.  A big reach in the third-round brings this grade down,  especially with the talent still on the board at the time.  All in all Falcons fans should be pleased with the work done by Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli.

Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby