The Atlanta Falcons draft class of 2022 is off to a flying start. The class was universally praised by pundits immediately after the draft, and 10 weeks into the season it looks even better.
Two Falcons’ rookies are among the 10-highest graded players by Pro Football Focus (PFF) through 10 weeks. Wide receiver Drake London, the No. 8 overall pick, checks in at No. 6, and fifth-round pick Tyler Allgeier is No. 9 after several productive weeks at running back.
London got off to a fast start this season, but he has cooled down in recent weeks. He has 407 yards on the season, but he hasn’t broken 40 yards in a game since Week 3. He had at least 50 yards in each of his first three games.
Some of that lost production has been picked up by Allgeier and the rushing attack. Allgeier was inactive in Week 1, but he has 443-yards rushing and a touchdown since then.
Edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie was taken by the Falcons in the second round, and he is the third-highest graded edge by PFF behind Micheal Clemons of the Jets and No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson. Ebiketie checks in ahead of the likes of Travon Walker (No. 1 overall) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 5 overall).
The Falcons are 4-6 on the season and a game out of the NFC South lead. For all intents and purposes, they are a year ahead of their rebuild which can begin in earnest when they get out from under the previous regime’s salary-cap mismanagement.
That the Falcons are ahead of schedule can be partially credited to general manager Terry Fontenot and his first two drafts that have included the likes of London, Allgeier, and Ebiketie as well as second-year breakout players like defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham and safety Richie Grant.
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