The Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft grade is in from NFL.com, and they receive high marks from Chad Reuter. Reuter gave the Falcons an ‘A-‘ for their six-man class that included arguably the best player in the draft in running back Bijan Robinson.
Atlanta traded up in the second round to get offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron from Syracuse who has guard/tackle flexibility. He’ll be penciled in as the starter at left guard for the departed Eli Wilkinson.
The Falcons were relatively quiet on Day 3 of the NFL Draft with only three selections. The Falcons spent a haul in free agency and weren’t looking for quantity in 2023.
Their first-four picks including edge Zach Harrison and cornerback Clark Phillips III in the third and fourth round respectively, should contribute right away.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter liked what the Falcons did over the weekend, giving the team an ‘A-‘ for their 2023 NFL Draft Class.
The multi-faceted Robinson was the best value available for a team trying to build an elite offense. Trading up for Bergeron made sense because of his guard/tackle versatility and Harrison fits as a long, strong base end.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Phillips is small but tenacious; he’ll flourish in the slot for the Falcons from Day 1. They picked up a downhill safety in Hellams and short but ferocious center/guard in Gwyn. Signing free agent receivers should be a priority for Atlanta after the draft.
Reuter is correct with the need for another receiver heading into next season. On Friday we took receiver Marvin Mims in our Day 2 mock draft because of the scarcity of wide receivers after the third round.
It happened faster than that. Mims was gone with the last pick in the second round when the Denver Broncos traded up to get him.
It wasn’t a deep year for receivers in this class, which makes the selection of Drake London at No. 8 look even better. Atlanta goes into 2023 with a depth chart at receiver that includes London, Mack Hollins and Scott Miller.
Some help is needed there.
The Falcons took their medicine the last-two seasons with their salary cap woes inflicted by the previous regime. Finally free from those restraints, general manager Terry Fontenot has rebuilt the Falcons in free agency and the draft.
All four of the Falcons’ 2023 picks should see time on the field next year. None more than Robinson and Bergeron who project as starters on day one.
Atlanta Falcons NFL Draft Picks:
- Texas RB Bijan Robinson (No. 8 overall)
- Syracuse OG Matthew Bergeron (No. 38)
- Ohio State DE Zach Harrison (No. 75)
- Utah CB Clark Phillips III (No. 113)
- Alabama S DeMarcco Hellams (No. 224)
- South Carolina C Jovaughn Gwyn (No. 225)
The starting lineup next year is going to look drastically different. But it was always planned that way. Almost every veteran was on a one-year deal last year. If Zach Harrison can fill out his potential, he could see the field early and often.