WalterFootball.com: NFL Draft Grades - Atlanta Falcons

2023 Pick 8. (R:1 P:8) - Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas C Bijan Robinson was tabbed as the most talented prospect in this class by numerous teams Charlie Campbell talked to during the pre-draft process. Thus, I can't hate on this pick very much. However, I'm not a big fan. Teams that aren't instant Super Bowl contenders should not use first-round picks on running backs because by the time they're good enough to make a run deep into the playoffs, the running back they chose in the opening round will have too much wear and tear on his body. That will be the case with the Falcons, who should have focused on obtaining a player at another position.

2023 Pick 44. (R:2 P:13) - Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State A- The Colts traded away Stephon Gilmore to the Cowboys, so cornerback was an obvious need. Julius Brents is a huge cornerback (6-3) who had plenty of fans during the pre-draft process. I like that Indianapolis traded down twice to acquire him.

2023 Pick 75. (R:3 P:12) - Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
B+ The Falcons finally address their dreadful pass rush. This is right range for Zach Harrison, who is a bit raw but has high potential because of his athletic ability. Atlanta needs to keep adding to its defensive line, however.

2023 Pick 110. (R:4 P:8) - Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE, Northwestern A+ The Colts are having a great start to Day 3. Ade Adebawore is a highly athletic defensive lineman who could have easily gone early on Day 2. He'll help with the pass rush to combat Trevor Lawrence.

2023 Pick 113. (R:4 P:11) - Clark Phillips, CB, Utah A The Falcons drafting a cornerback should be a surprise to no one, so this definitely fills a big need. Clark Phillips is a talented cornerback, but has size issues. He'll be limited to nickel play, but that's what Atlanta is looking for, so I like this pick.

2023 Pick 224. (R:7 P:7) - Demarco Hellams, S, Alabama
B- Demarco Hellams needs to show improved pass-coverage ability. That's not something you want to hear about a safety. Still, he can help in run support at least.

2023 Pick 225. (R:7 P:8) - Jovaughn Gwyn, G,
C+ Jovaughn Gwynn is a scrappy and versatile interior blocker, but he will have trouble making the roster because of his severe size limitations.

2023 Pick 245. (R:7 P:28) - Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State
B Isaiah Bolden is listed as a cornerback, but he could be New England's kick returner. He scored two kickoff touchdowns in 2021, so I'm all for taking someone like that at this spot.

2022 Pick 8. (R:1 P:8) - Drake London, WR, USC B- Grade
It should come as no surprise that Drake London is the first receiver off the board. I believed it would be London or Garrett Wilson. The Lions had interest in London at No. 2 prior to the combine. So, I don't think this is a bad pick, as London projects to be like Mike Evans. However, I thought Jermaine Johnson was the better prospect, and there's more receiving depth on Day 2 than edge-rushing depth.

2022 Pick 38. (R:2 P:6) - Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State C Grade
I like Arnold Ebiketie as an athletic pass rusher, and he certainly fills a huge need for the Falcons, who registered only 18 sacks last year. However, why did Atlanta surrender a significant resource for this? There were plenty of talented edge rushers available, so this was not necessary.

2022 Pick 58. (R:2 P:26) - Troy Andersen, , Montana State
C Grade
This is a bit too rich for Troy Andersen, who seemed likely to go in the third or fourth round. This isn't a Tyquan Thornton-type reach though, so I don't hate this pick. Andersen is very athletic and should be able to be a solid player in Atlanta's miserable defense. Where's the quarterback pick though?

2022 Pick 74. (R:3 P:10) - Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati B- Grade
I had Desmond Ridder to the Falcons in the second round, but I didn't like that pick. I just thought it would happen. I appreciate the Falcons waiting and getting good value, or what seems like good value with Ridder. I'm not a fan of Ridder, as he just seems like a fancy backup quarterback in the NFL. Still, Atlanta obtained a young quarterback, which is something it needed to do.

2022 Pick 82. (R:3 P:18) - DeAngelo Malone, DE/OLB, Western Kentucky
B+ Grade
It's no surprise that the Falcons are drafting another edge rusher, given that two NFL players had more sacks than their entire team in 2021! DeAngelo Malone is a dynamic, explosive edge rusher whom I had pegged in this area, so I like this pick.

2022 Pick 151. (R:5 P:8) - Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU
A- Grade
The Falcons finally found a running back! Tyler Allgeier is a raw running back because he used to play linebacker, but he's a solid prospect who catches passes well. I thought he'd go a round earlier, so I like this pick. Allgeier could eventually start for Atlanta.

2022 Pick 190. (R:6 P:11) - Justin Shaffer, G, Georgia
B+ Grade
Justin Shaffer is a big guard with some upside. The Falcons needed help on the offensive line, which goes without saying because they had holes everywhere. However, blocking was a major issue that desperately needed to be addressed. I had Shaffer a round earlier than this.

2022 Pick 214. (R:6 P:35) - Ja'Sir Taylor, CB, Wake Forest
B Grade
The Chargers need as many cornerbacks as possible to combat all the passing talent in the division. Ja'Sir Taylor was a likely sixth- or seventh-round pick. He should be able to play in the slot.

2021 Pick 4. (R:1 P:4) - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida B+ Grade
I personally would have gone with Penei Sewell, but I certainly don't hate this pick. I believe an elite left tackle is more valuable than an elite tight end, but in the end, the Falcons couldn't have gone wrong with either. Pitts is viewed as a receiver by some around the NFL. He projects to be a superior Darren Waller, so he'll be a dynamic, mismatch threat for Matt Ryan as the veteran quarterback enters his twilight years.

2021 Pick 35. (R:2 P:3) - Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina C Grade
I'm not a fan of first-round running backs, as none of the picks over the past decade at that position have done well (see my study on the 2021 NFL Draft Day 2 Preview, and this is close enough for me not to be a huge fan either. I don't hate this pick because there was some argument for Javonte Williams to be the first running back off the board, but the Broncos could have gotten a complement for Melvin Gordon in the next couple of rounds.

2021 Pick 68. (R:3 P:4) - Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan B+ Grade
Jalen Mayfield was once a mainstay of the first round of my mock draft, but he slipped recently because he's not great in any regard. However, Mayfield can play tackle and guard, which is important for the Falcons because they need interior help now and then tackle help when Jake Matthews leaves the team in the future.

2021 Pick 108. (R:4 P:3) - Darren Hall, S, San Diego State
C- Grade
I never placed Darren Hall in my mock drafts, though I always considered him in the late rounds. I obviously don't like this value for Atlanta, but addressing the dire need for a cornerback was a must. Still, this pick could have been made later.

2021 Atlanta Falcons - Prospect:TBD

2021 Pick 182. (R:5 P:38) - Adetokunbo Ogundeji, OLB, Notre Dame
C Grade
I never had Adetokunbo Ogundeji in any of my mock draft updates, but he nearly made the cut on several occasions. This pick is just OK, as the Falcons could have done better to address a big need for an edge rusher.

2021 Pick 183. (R:5 P:39) - Avery Williams, CB, Boise State
C+ Grade
The Falcons needed another cornerback, but Avery Williams is going to be more of a special-teams player. He's a small cornerback I had going in the seventh round.

2021 Pick 187. (R:6 P:3) - Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State
B- Grade
Julio Jones might be traded in the near future, so the Falcons needed some receiving depth. I had Frank Darby in the seventh round of my final mock draft, so taking him in the sixth frame makes some sense.

2021 Pick 219. (R:6 P:35) - Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
A Grade
The Broncos obviously didn't need a receiver ... unless Jerry Jeudy is part of the package to trade for Aaron Rodgers! If not, Williams is just a great value pick. He's a big receiver with solid athleticism, and he should have gone a couple of rounds earlier than this.

2020 Atlanta Falcons - Prospect:TBD

2019 Atlanta Falcons - Prospect:TBD

2018 Atlanta Falcons - Prospect:TBD

2017 Atlanta Falcons - Prospect:TBD

2016 Atlanta Falcons - Prospect:TBD

2015 Atlanta Falcons - Prospect:TBD

2014 Atlanta Falcons - Prospect:TBD

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