Atlanta Falcons draft pick DeMarcco Hellams -- Kirby Lee IMAGN
Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft

Falcons Address Offense & Defense Again With Pair of Seventh-Rounders

It was a very long wait, but the Atlanta Falcons have made their final two Day 3 selections.

With consecutive picks in the seventh, general manager Terry Fontenot took the opportunity to add depth on offense and defense.

First, at No. 224 overall, the Falcons selected Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams. Then at No. 225 overall, the Falcons ended their 2023 draft with South Carolina guard Jovaughn Gwyn.

Hellams was the second defensive back Atlanta picked on Day 3. In the fourth round at No. 113 overall, the Falcons selected Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III.

That was the only other pick Fontenot had on the final day of the 2023 draft. The Falcons waited 111 selections after drafting Phillips to have another selection.

In Hellams, Atlanta has landed a player who could develop into a solid backup and special teams player.

“Boundary safety with good size and adequate anticipation, but a lack of quality make-up burst when beaten over the top,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “Hellams can cover tight ends and is comfortable in split zone looks but needs to do a much better job of staying deeper than the deepest target.

“He’s fairly consistent as a tackler but doesn’t always take the most efficient routes to the ball. He’s physical and can play high or low. 

In addition to Gwyn, the Falcons drafted an offensive linemen — Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron — in the second round. Like Gwyn, Atlanta expects Bergeron to play guard.

Zierlein called Gwyn “a solid football player,” but his size is a major concern for the NFL level. NFL.com lists Gwyn at 6-foot-2 and 297 pounds with 31 and 3/4-inch arms.

“Gwyn plays with a firm base and good body control in protection but lacks the length and range to consistently protect gaps,” Zierlein wrote. “Gwyn will be a one-position player, but he has enough talent and technique to compete for a roster spot at center.”

The Falcons finished the 2023 NFL draft adding three players on offense and three on defense. Atlanta drafted running back Bijan Robinson at No. 8 overall in the first round.

Fontenot picked the team’s first defensive player in the draft with edge rusher Zach Harrison at No. 75 overall.