Atlanta’s ‘A’: Falcons Draft Recap: Grades, Analysis, Quotes on 6 Picks

From Bijan Robinson to Jovaughn Gwyn, a rundown of all six Atlanta Falcons' selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, featuring analysis, grades and quotes from coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot.

And just like that, it's over.

After months of work and anticipation, from the college football season to senior all-star circuit, the Combine to pro day's and everything in between, the 2023 NFL Draft is officially in the books.

For Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith, it marked their third draft together and the first that was preceded by a heavy-spending free agency period.

This draft class netted six players, three offensive and three defensive, coming from five different conferences - each of the Power Five.

The Falcons entered the draft seeking to continue building an identity, and in Fontenot's eyes, they accomplished that, as each player embodied the same themes.

"We've gotten smart, tough, highly competitive players that fit what we're about, fit our makeup, and they're versatile, smart football players," Fontenot said. "So, very excited about the outcome of this draft."

Let's meet each of Atlanta's six selections - from analysis and grades to quotes from both the players and decision makers.

Round 1, No. 8 Overall: Texas RB Bijan Robinson

Analysis: Widely regarded as one of the draft's best players, regardless of position, the question surrounding Robinson has nothing to do with talent but rather positional value, especially considering Atlanta finished last season ranked No. 3 league-wide in rushing offense at just under 160 yards per game.

But to fully understand Robinson's value, one has to see the Falcons' vision. The 5-11, 215-pound Robinson has a chance to be a legitimate game-breaking player; the phrase is oft-overused and thus has become undervalued, but Robinson quite literally embodies it.

With his contact balance, vision, speed and ability to impact the game as both a runner and receiver, Robinson has a special skill set.

There's also the point that Atlanta's one of the most run-heavy teams in the league, clocking just 33 attempts per game last season.

With a focus on making second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder's life as easy as possible, adding a dynamic weapon who positively benefits the offense right away is a massive plus - e just so happens to carry the positional label of "running back" under a coach who values "positionless" players.

Grade: A-

What Robinson Said: "When they came down to Austin, we had an amazing time talking about scheme, what could happen, what we could do. When we were getting to really know each other, they're all great guys to work with and I'm just really happy that they took me and that they gave me a chance to make something happen."

What Smith Said: "Bijan's more than a running back. He's an impact football player, he's a home-run hitter. ... He's a valuable football player."

Round 2, No. 38 Overall: Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron

Analysis: The Falcons fell in love with Bergeron after a heart-to-heart conversation between he and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford at Syracuse's pro day.

Syracuse was the lone school, regardless of level, to offer Bergeron a scholarship out of high school. All he did from there was become the first freshman to start at offensive tackle in 17 years and close his career with 32 consecutive starts at left tackle.

A native of Victoriaville, Canada, Bergeron will kick inside and play guard for the Falcons, per Smith. With his addition, Atlanta's offensive line will likely enter the season with all five starters under contract through 2024, minimum.

The 6-5, 318-pound Bergeron is athletic and powerful, and evaluators around the league felt he may be better suited as a guard in a wide zone offense, which is exactly the situation he finds himself in with the Falcons.

It's also important to note that, according to ESPN, some league personnel felt that Bergeron could slide into the first round; the Cincinnati Bengals were reportedly very high on him.

As such, Atlanta's decision to move picks Nos. 45 and 110 to grab No. 38 and selection Bergeron appears to have been done with proper belief that he was highly regarded around the league, and there's a very real likelihood he emerges as a long-term solution at left guard.

Perhaps most importantly, the addition of Bergeron right after Robinson further establishes Atlanta's intent on building the running game and making Ridder's life easier, all the while building a strong and contractually controlled offensive line.

Grade: B+

What Bergeron Said: "I think it's easier to move from outside to inside. Especially when you played your whole life at tackle, moving inside, you've got your cushion. Moving inside, using my athletic abilities and my natural strength that I have to compete with those bigger, stronger guys inside, I think it can be an advantage for me."

What Smith Said: "It's the way he's built. When a guy is as smart as Matt and the way he's built ... he's big, tough. We feel good about where we're at in our program to develop him."

Round 3, No. 75 Overall: Ohio State DE Zach Harrison

Analysis: Looking at measurables alone, there are few players more impressive than Harrison, who stands nearly 6-6, 274 pounds with 36 1/4-inch arms and an 85 1/2-inch wingspan while clocking a 4.60 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

A five-star recruit out of high school, it took some time for the light to turn on for Harrison, who ultimately finished his Buckeyes career with 24 tackles for loss and 11 sacks across 46 games, 27 starts.

However, there's a belief amongst evaluators that Harrison, who doesn't turn 22 until June, played the best football of his career down the stretch of this past season.

Atlanta feels as if Harrison provides a powerful presence off the edge with his bull rush potential, and while defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen acknowledged there are things to improve, Smith feels the Falcons have the right room of both players and coaches to maximize his physical traits.

There isn't an expectation from Atlanta's staff for Harrison to be an instant impact player; it's part of why veterans like Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree were brought in on one-year contracts.

As such, the Falcons are eyeing a multi-year plan for Harrison, all done with the intent of maximizing his upside and having him prosper like so many other big-bodied defensive ends have under Nielsen.

Drafting at No. 75, the ideal outcome would be selecting a player perhaps more ready-made and with a higher floor, but there's no doubting Harrison's upside, and considering the aforementioned veteran presences in Atlanta's defensive line room, there's an underlying sense of optimism that his high ceiling can be reached.

Grade: B-

What Harrison Said: "I feel like I can do it all. I can play all down the line of scrimmage; I'm fast enough to play on the edge but big enough, strong enough to play inside. As far as stopping the run, that's just 'want-to,' really, (and) I feel like I've got the drive to do that. Rushing the passer, I feel like I'm really just now hitting my stride."

What Smith Said: "Length, clearly he was a big recruit coming out of Ohio State, obviously coming into his own, still pretty young. There's not the pressure on him right away - we've got some good veterans in there on the edge to help him. He can give you a little interior pass rush, too."

Round 4, No. 113 Overall: Utah CB Clark Phillips III

Analysis: Atlanta followed up its swing on Harrison with a very safe bet in the selection of Phillips, who many thought was in line to be a Day 2 pick.

The 5-9, 184-pound Phillips was knocked during the pre-draft process due to his lack of great size, but he has tremendous ball skills, having recorded six interceptions this past season after leading the Pac-12 in passes defended the year before.

Phillips, 21, will compete for the starting nickel corner job this summer, and the unanimous All-American and AP Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year looks to have a strong chance at winning that battle.

If nothing else, consider the Falcons' depth chart at cornerback beyond 2023; Jeff Okudah is on a one-year deal, as is Cornell Armstrong. Casey Hayward's already been released, and recently signed Mike Hughes has a team-friendly out in his contract after this season.

That leaves only A.J. Terrell, Darren Hall and Dee Alford, which creates the need for more bodies and competition. The fourth round is a fine time to fill that, and the Falcons managed to do that and then some with Phillips, who could legitimately be a long-term starter at nickel.

Grade: A-

What Phillips Said: "It's all about perspective. I've always been dominant - I never really thought about it in a way like, 'dang, this sucks,' or 'dang, why are they taller than me?' It's always been something I've used to my advantage and I've been able to excel."

What Fontenot Said: "He's a tough, competitive player who came from a tough program. He’s about what we’re about so we’re excited to add him to the group."

Round 7, No. 224 Overall: Alabama S DeMarcco Hellams

Analysis: Nicknamed "hitman" by his teammates for his ability to deliver powerful hits on opponents, Hellams grew into a reliable face on Alabama's defense.

The 6-1, 203-pound Hellams played in 54 games across four seasons in Tuscaloosa and led the Crimson Tide in tackles this past season with 108, good enough to rank sixth in the SEC. He added three tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and an interception in 2022.

Hellams, 22, started his career at Alabama on special teams and will follow a similar path in Atlanta, where his physicality and tackling translate nicely to kickoff and punt coverage teams.

As a safety, Hellams thrives in the box against the run and has experience playing in the slot, which Nielsen is expected to value in the "big nickel" role.

When entering the seventh round, the success rate of players making final rosters isn't great ... but it doesn't feel far-fetched to see Hellams making the team out of camp due to his potential to be a special teams standout with added benefit as a niche-fit big nickel.

Grade: B

What Hellams Said: "I'm going to bring a player that's going to give everything he has, play in and play out. Versatility, a guy that's a tremendous leader on the field and off the field as well."

What Fontenot Said: "Versatile player - safety, but he can play down, he can play deep. Productive player. He's smart, (can play on) special teams."

Round 7, No. 225 Overall: South Carolina OL Jovaughn Gwyn

Analysis: Gwyn, who stands 6-2, 297 pounds with 31 3/4-inch, is "obviously a little undersized," in Smith's words, but the Falcons love what he brings off the field and believe he's a strong fit on it.

A two-time team captain, four-time academic honor roll member and reigning South Carolina Outstanding Student-Athlete award winner, Gwyn has an impressive resume that speaks to his character and commitment.

The 24-year-old Gwyn is coming off a strong senior season in which he earned second-team All-SEC honors; his experience in big moments against even bigger competition was particularly important in his allure to Atlanta.

Gwyn started 47 started consecutive games at right guard for the Gamecocks, spanning across multiple coaching staffs and proving to be a steadying presence.

In Atlanta, Gwyn's athleticism and lateral quickness make him a strong fit in the wide zone offense, and he often had success working in space for the Gamecocks.

There's certainly a path to a roster spot for Gwyn, who the Falcons believe can play both guard and center, but the opportunity for playing time isn't as clear as it is for Hellams.

Nonetheless, as Fontenot said, Gwyn is "about what we're about," and there are clear shared qualities in each Falcons draftee that he embodies, which speaks to the broader goal of establishing an identifiable culture.

Grade: C+

What Gwyn Said: "I'm willing to do anything to win, whatever they need me to do, play whatever position they need me to play. Don't have to worry about me on the field, off the field. I get in the extra work, I put in the extra time. If anybody ever needs anything from me, I'll be there for them. Just a person that's willing to do anything for not only myself but for my teammates and for the whole organization."

What Smith Said: "He's a productive guy. He was a leader in that building, a leader on that line. There's nothing fake about him. Obviously a little undersized, but you talk about a guy that you consistently see finish over and over again ... that's a guy that, you know exactly what you're bringing into this building."

You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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