Falcons look to draft to augment big free agency moves

Updated Apr. 20, 2023 3:16 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons finally had some money to spend, and they used it to make a big splash in free agency.

Now comes the draft, where the Falcons hope to fill a few more holes and firmly establish themselves as a playoff contender.

Coming off its fifth straight losing season, Atlanta has the No. 8 overall pick and a total of eight selections over the three-day, seven-round draft.

After taking tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London with top-10 picks the past two years, the focus in this draft is expected to shift to defense.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. took note of that, projecting the Falcons to take Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith at No. 8.

His rationale? “Basically a pass rusher. He can get you eight to 10 sacks a year," Kiper said. “He's a heck of a player. Very smart. Certainly what he ran (at the combine), in the 4.38 range, shows you what kind of athlete he is.”

Edge rushers Myles Murphy of Clemson, Tyree Wilson of Texas Tech and Lukas Van Ness of Iowa are other candidates to go in the eighth slot.

Or, if the Falcons decide to add to the back end of their defense, cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez of Oregon and Devon Witherspoon of Illinois could be in the mix.

After being crippled by a huge amount of dead money the past couple of years, the Falcons finally got to go on a spending spree.

They committed to at least $176 million in guaranteed contracts, which included free-agent signings, trades and re-upping key players such as offensive linemen Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary to multi-year deals.

“We have an identity, and we believe we do have a foundation," general manager Terry Fontenot said. “The thing we really want to focus on when we’re bringing players in is making sure we’re adding to the culture because we have a really strong culture, and we do things a certain way.”

PICK ’EM

A second straight 7-10 season left the Falcons at the same spot — No. 8 — they held in last year's draft. Atlanta isn't likely to trade up to get involved in an expected quarterback derby, but Fontenot could trade down to get an additional pick.

NEEDS

The Falcons desperately need to bulk up a pass rush that had only 21 sacks last season, second fewest in the league. They signed veteran defensive end Calais Campbell, who had 5 1/2 sacks for the Ravens, but he's approaching 37 and merely a stopgap measure.

Receiver and cornerback are other positions that need addressing. London was the only real threat at wideout, though the Falcons did sign free agents Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller to give the youngster some help.

DON’T NEED

Atlanta is set at tight end with Pitts and newcomer Jonnu Smith, who was acquired from New England for a seventh-round pick. The top two spots at running back are in good hands, though the Falcons may want to use a third-day pick to bolster depth after Caleb Huntley suffered a torn Achilles tendon late in the season. Tyler Allgeier rushed for 1,035 yards, breaking the team's 43-year-old rookie record set by William Andrews. The Falcons also have versatile Cordarrelle Patterson, who dealt with some injury issues but still managed 695 yards and eight touchdowns.

ANOTHER QB

The Falcons have made it clear that Desmond Ridder, a third-round pick who started the final four games of his rookie season, is their No. 1 quarterback heading into 2023. Atlanta passed on the chance to pursue a trade for Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, instead opting to add depth behind Ridder by signing former Washington starter Taylor Heinicke. The Falcons might look to add a third QB late in the draft, and many local fans are clamoring for Stetson Bennett after he guided Georgia to consecutive national championships.

STAYING HOME

Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has become one of the biggest producers of NFL-ready talent. But the Falcons have never picked anyone from the home-state Bulldogs in the first round. Their only No. 1 pick from a team within the state was Georgia Tech linebacker Keith Brooking, taken 12th overall in 1998. The Falcons did select a couple of Bulldogs — offensive lineman Justin Shaffer and tight end John FitzPatrick — with their final two picks a year ago. Those were the first players chosen from Georgia since 2011.

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