Falcons hold 8th pick in 2022 NFL Draft with one game to go

The chief intrigue of the ultimate weeks for a Falcons workforce not too long ago eradicated from playoff competition issues the 2023 NFL Draft order. With a category that options two doubtlessly elite cross rushers and a small handful of high-end quarterback prospects, an early choice may set the Falcons up with a badly wanted elite expertise at a place of want.

As Will McFadden wrote not too long ago in a complete have a look at eventualities, the greatest choice the Falcons may have obtained was the second general decide in the event that they misplaced out, however that may even have required a number of assist from different unhealthy groups who would have wanted to abruptly begin successful. The far likelier consequence was that Atlanta would wind up someplace exterior of the highest three however inside the high ten, and that’s the end result we’re on a collision course with now.

Our personal Kevin Knight knowledgeable us tonight that the Falcons are at the moment set to select eighth within the 2023 NFL Draft, having overwhelmed the Cardinals on Sunday. The Texans, Bears, Broncos, Cardinals, and Colts are actually locked into high 5 picks (and at the moment in that order), leaving the Falcons with no probability of getting that coveted high 5 decide now. The very best they will end is sixth, and in the event that they win and issues don’t break their approach, the newest they may decide is ninth. Which means it doesn’t matter what, Atlanta is assured of a high ten decide for the third straight season.

We’ll see the place Atlanta winds up, but it surely’s probably that barring a commerce up, they received’t have the prospect to get Alabama quarterback Bryce Younger, Alabama cross rusher Will Anderson, Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, and doubtlessly one or each of Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. If the workforce is not offered on Desmond Ridder as their quarterback for 2023, the lack to snag a high quarterback on this draft class is likely to be a serious downside. If they’re, they’ll in all probability simply be a little bit bummed they’ll be lacking out on a superlative defender.

That mentioned, the workforce will nonetheless have a high ten choice. Clemson defensive lineman Myles Murphy, Texas working again Bijan Robinson, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and Florida State cross rusher Jared Verse are among the many doubtlessly terrific gamers anticipated to be out there after the highest 5, so it’s not just like the Falcons might be attempting to dip right into a dry nicely of expertise. Yet one more high ten decide after the workforce picked up Kyle Pitts and Drake London in 2021 and 2022 to bolster the offense ought to assist this workforce considerably, particularly since they lastly have cash to spend so as to add impression gamers throughout the roster.

The 2023 offseason is anticipated to be one of the impactful in workforce historical past—that sounds prefer it’s setting the bar excessive, however given the circumstances it’s actually not—and their draft haul will definitely be a serious piece of that. We solely have to attend yet another week to know the place the workforce might be deciding on in April, so keep tuned.