April 28th, 2009 
Matt Loede 
Posted in The Falcons draft over the weekend took a huge turn when the team was able to land 10-time Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez on Thursday. It didn’t stop the team from moving forward and drafting some solid players that should be able to help them make a big run in the NFC this season.
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. liked what the Falcons did, and stated as such to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Peria Jerry was my most under-rated player all year. I had him in my top 25 and nobody else did at the time. People were saying ‘why do you have Peria Jerry so high.’ Peria Jerry made a ton of plays behind the line of scrimmage. He was one of the best pass rushers for a defensive tackle that I’ve seen over the last couple of years. . .
“He’s 6-2, 305 pounds. He beat centers and guards on the SEC level on a regular basis. He’s a battler. He works hard. He stays on his feet. I don’t know what you don’t like about Jerry. I didn’t think Atlanta would necessarily take him. I thought he could go a little earlier to Tampa or maybe to Indianapolis. . .
“I like the William Moore pick. I talked about him before the draft as being one of the guys who could go in the second round and be a steal. I like Christopher Owens. (Lawrence) Sidbury, I like. (William) Middleton has speed and size. I thought he was a good player at that level, but an average prospect. I like Garrett Reynolds, he’s a guy who can make it as a backup. (Spencer) Adkins could be a back up and special teamer. Vance Walker can make your team in a rotation. I gave it a B grade. You have a lot of guys that are going to make this football team and four or five that are going to be major contributors.”
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