The Atlanta Falcons NFL draft picks 2023 are the selections made by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 National Football League (NFL) draft. The NFL draft is an annual event where each team in the league can acquire new players from a pool of eligible college football players. The draft order is determined by the previous season’s standings, with the worst team picking first and the best team picking last. The draft consists of seven rounds, with each team having one pick per round, unless they trade their picks with other teams. The Atlanta Falcons had seven picks in the 2023 NFL draft, including the eighth overall pick in the first round.
History: The NFL draft history dates back to 1936, when the first draft was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia. The draft was created to ensure competitive balance among the teams and to prevent players from signing with the highest bidder. The first player ever drafted was Jay Berwanger, a halfback from the University of Chicago, who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he never played in the NFL, as he chose to pursue a career in business instead. Since then, the draft has evolved over the years, changing its format, rules, and location.
Some of the most notable changes include:
- The introduction of the AFL-NFL common draft in 1967, after the merger of the two leagues.
- The reduction of the number of rounds from 30 to 12 in 1977, and then to seven in 1994.
- The implementation of the supplemental draft in 1977, for players who became eligible after the regular draft.
- The creation of the NFL Draft Lottery in 1995, for teams that finished with identical records.
- The adoption of the current selection order formula in 1997, based on strength of schedule and playoff results.
- The relocation of the draft from New York City to various cities across the country since 2015.
Here is a list of the Atlanta Falcons NFL draft picks 2023:
Round 1, Pick 8: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas. Robinson is a dynamic running back who led the nation in rushing yards per carry (8.2) and touchdowns (21) in 2022. He has a rare combination of speed, power, and vision, and can also catch passes out of the backfield. He is expected to be an immediate starter and a focal point of the Falcons offense.
Round 2, Pick 38 (from LV): Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse. Bergeron is a versatile offensive lineman who can play both tackle and guard positions. He has good size (6’6″, 315 lbs), athleticism, and technique, and excels in both run blocking and pass protection. He is projected to compete for a starting spot on the right side of the Falcons line.
Round 3, Pick 75: Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State. Harrison is a talented edge rusher who had 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in his junior season at Ohio State. He has a prototypical frame (6’6″, 265 lbs), explosive burst, and long arms to disrupt quarterbacks and ball carriers. He is expected to contribute as a rotational pass rusher and develop into a full-time starter for the Falcons defense.
Round 4, Pick 113: Clark Phillps III, CB, Utah. Phillps is a speedy cornerback who had four interceptions and nine pass breakups in his sophomore season at Utah. He has excellent coverage skills, quick feet, and ball awareness, and can also play in the slot or on special teams. He is expected to add depth and competition to the Falcons secondary.
Round 7, Pick 224 (from LV): DeMarcco Hellams, S, Alabama. Hellams is a hard-hitting safety who had three interceptions and two forced fumbles in his senior season at Alabama. He has good size (6’1″, 210 lbs), instincts, and leadership qualities, and can also play as a linebacker or on special teams. He is expected to provide depth and versatility to the Falcons defense.
Round 7, Pick 225: Jovaughn Gwynn, IOL, South Carolina. Gwynn is a powerful interior lineman who started at both guard and center for South Carolina. He has good strength (6’2″, 310 lbs), leverage, and toughness, and excels in run blocking. He is expected to compete for a backup role on the Falcons line.
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are members of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division of the National Football League (NFL). The Falcons have participated in the NFL draft since 1966, when they joined the league as an expansion team. The NFL draft is an annual event where each team in the league can acquire new players from a pool of eligible college football players.
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The last five top draft picks of the Atlanta Falcons are:
2023: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas. Robinson is a dynamic running back who led the nation in rushing yards per carry (8.2) and touchdowns (21) in 2022. He has a rare combination of speed, power, and vision, and can also catch passes out of the backfield. He is expected to be an immediate starter and a focal point of the Falcons offense.
2022: Drake London, WR, USC. London is a tall (6’5″) and athletic wide receiver who had 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns on 72 receptions in his junior season at USC. He has great hands, body control, and route running skills, and can also play as a tight end or a slot receiver. He is projected to be a reliable target for the Falcons quarterback and complement their existing receivers.
2021: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida. Pitts is a freakish tight end who had 770 yards and 12 touchdowns on 43 catches in only eight games in his junior season at Florida. He has elite size (6’6″, 245 lbs), speed, and catch radius, and can also line up as a wide receiver or a slot receiver. He is considered to be one of the best tight end prospects ever and a mismatch nightmare for defenses.
2020: A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson. Terrell is a speedy cornerback who had six interceptions and 11 pass breakups in his three-year career at Clemson. He has good length (6’1″, 195 lbs), agility, and ball skills, and can also play in man or zone coverage. He is expected to be a solid starter and a leader for the Falcons secondary.
2019: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College. Lindstrom is a powerful offensive guard who started 49 games in his four-year career at Boston College. He has good size (6’4″, 310 lbs), strength, and mobility, and excels in both run blocking and pass protection. He is expected to be a long-term fixture and a cornerstone for the Falcons offensive line.
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FAQs
What is the NFL draft and how does it work?
The NFL draft is an annual event where each team in the league can acquire new players from a pool of eligible college football players. The draft consists of seven rounds, with each team having one pick per round, unless they trade their picks with other teams. The draft order is determined by the previous season’s standings, with the worst team picking first and the best team picking last. The draft spans three days, with the first round taking place on Thursday, the second and third rounds on Friday and the remaining fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday.
Who is eligible to be drafted by an NFL team?
To be eligible for the NFL draft, a player must have been out of high school for at least three years and must have used up their college eligibility before the start of the next college football season. Underclassmen and players who have graduated before using all their college eligibility may request the league’s approval to enter the draft early. Players not selected in the draft are free to sign with any team as undrafted free agents.
How can I watch the NFL draft on television or online?
The NFL draft will be televised nationally by NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes. You can also stream the draft live on the NFL app, ESPN app, ABC app or NFL.com/watch.
How can I attend the NFL draft in person?
The NFL draft is comprised of the Draft Experience presented by Panini Trading Cards which is FREE for all ages, and the Draft Theater for invited ticket holders. For free entry to the Draft Experience, fans are required to register for NFL OnePass at NFL.com/draftaccess. For the Draft Theater, seating is only available to invited ticket holders, however, as seats become available, fans will have an opportunity to be selected for standing room and other seating depending upon availability. More information about the backfill fan seating for the Draft Theater to come soon.
