Late to the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, the Atlanta Falcons were considered potential contenders to land the former Houston Texans quarterback largely thanks to their wealth of 2022 NFL Draft picks. The Falcons have long had a quarterback as a future need as Matt Ryan continued to get longer in the tooth, so their Watson interest surely wasn’t found to be that surprising.
However, as the new league year approached, their interest in Watson dipped as quickly as it peaked. Now, with Watson in Cleveland and Ryan officially traded to the Indianapolis Colts, here’s how the Falcons sit currently in terms of total 2022 NFL Draft picks.
Atlanta Falcons draft picks in 2022
- Round 1 | Pick 8
Drake London, WR, USC - Round 2 | Pick 38 (from CAR via NYJ and NYG)
Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State - Round 2 | Pick 58 (from TEN)
Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State - Round 3 | Pick 74
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati - Round 3 | Pick 82 (from IND)
DeAngelo Malone, LB, Western Kentucky - Round 5 | Pick 151
Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU - Round 6 | Pick 190
Justin Shaffer, G, Georgia - Round 6 | Pick 213
John FitzPatrick, TE, Georgia
The Falcons would have had a chance to potentially address their long-term issues at quarterback with one of their first picks after failing to secure Watson and sending away Ryan. Atlanta received Indianapolis’ third-round pick (No. 82) in exchange for Ryan. Instead, the Falcons gave newly-signed QB Marcus Mariota a top target in former USC WR Drake London. A big-bodied receiver with immense athleticism, few receivers can make the plays London makes in space and with his hands.
Now, getting their future in place while also adding potential contributors with their late-round picks will be crucial. Fortunately for Atlanta, the depth at areas of need in this class is extensive.
Atlanta Falcons 2022 NFL Draft team needs
The Falcons’ long-term need at quarterback was always in the back of their minds. But entering the 2022 season without Ryan, they have to find a signal-caller.
Outside of quarterback, getting younger on the defensive line is key. Atlanta needed a wide receiver even before Calvin Ridley was suspended. His suspension only vaulted into needing two receivers. Their top need outside of adding a quarterback specifically lands at edge defender.
For the Falcons to leave the 2022 NFL Draft without an EDGE in this stacked class would be shocking. The value presented at the top of the class is tremendous, but the value players present in the middle rounds is as deep as it’s ever been.
Here are the Falcons’ current top needs for the 2022 NFL Draft.
- Quarterback
- EDGE
- Wide Receiver
- Running Back
- Cornerback