Solid Starter
Matthew Bergeron, G, Syracuse – Round 2 
The Falcons have a solid offensive line, but the one spot they could still use a starter was right guard. With Bijan Robinson in the fold, a road-grading right guard would be a perfect fit to go with the nastiness on an offensive line that features Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary and Jake Matthews. Bergeron was a perfect fit in the second round and could be a beast for Atlanta.
The 6-foot-5, 318-pound Bergeron was a dominant monster as a run blocker for Syracuse, which had a lot of success running behind him. He is powerful at the point of attack and has strong hands to rock back defenders. With his thick build and upper body, Bergeron can drive block and create a push. He fires out quickly to the second level and displays a real burst to hit blocks in space. Bergeron brings a nasty demeanor to the field, where he will bully defenders and put them into the turf with violence. He has a real mean streak as a run blocker and blocks through the whistle.
If Bergeron were to stay at tackle, he would have needed help in pass protection for blocking on the edge. Bergeron has the skill set to play tackle; he was just inconsistent with his technique. Moving inside to guard is a perfect way for him to mask those issues, and he has plenty of strength, size and quickness to block on the interior.
It would not surprise me if Bergeron has turned into a solid starter by the end of his rookie season. He is going to be an asset as a run blocker and has the talent to become a dependable pass protector. It would surprise me if Bergeron does not become a quality starter for Atlanta during his rookie contract.
2022: Arnold Ebiketie, DE
2021: Richie Grant, S
2020: Marlon Davidson, DT
2019: Kendall Sheffield, CB
2018: Calvin Ridley, WR
2017: Sean Harlow, G
2016: Austin Hooper, TE
2015: Vic Beasley, DE
2014: Jake Matthews, OT
2013: Desmond Trufant, CB
Most Likely To Bust
Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State – Round 3 
The 2023 NFL Draft was third one for Atlanta under general manager Terry Fontenot, vice president of player personnel Kyle Smith and head coach Arthur Smith, and the organization came away with excellent results. Choosing the bust here was a tough, because I don’t see picks who look like they were particularly risky. Of the team’s early picks, Harrison is the only one who looks like he has the slight bit of a potential bust.
Harrison has a really good skill set and was considered to be the next great Ohio State edge rusher, following in the line of Chase Young and the Bosa brothers. However, that never occurred, as Harrison was inconsistent and never produced up to his immense physical talent. The 6-foot-5, 274-pounder is quick, strong, and has very good length – 36.25 inches. Harrison had only four sacks in 2021 and 3.5 in 2022. It was a real head scratcher why he did not produce more going against lesser talented Big Ten offensive linemen.
Atlanta has a quality coaching staff, and it would not surprise me if they develop Harrison into a serviceable player. Some sources said that Harrison’s skill set reminded them of Carlos Dunlap coming out of Florida. Dunlap also slipped out of the first round despite being very talented. Dunlap bloomed into a superb pro, so perhaps Harrison does the same thing, but his inconsistency and underachievement in college make him the most likely to bust.
2022: Desmond Ridder, QB
2021: Jalen Mayfield, OT
2020: Matt Hennessy, C
2019: Kaleb McGary, OT
2018: Ito Smith, RB
2017: Takk McKinley, DE
2016: Deion Jones, LB
2015: Jalen Collins, CB
2014: Dez Southward, S
2013: Levine Toilolo, TE
Potential Boom Pick
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas – Round 1 
The Falcons made an excellent selection by taking Robinson with the 8th-overall pick. Atlanta landed the best player in the draft on many teams’ boards, and Robinson could be a superstar in the NFL.
In 2020, Robinson flashed his big-time skill set with 703 yards on only 86 carries – 8.2 average – and four touchdowns. He also had 15 catches for 196 yards and two scores that season. As a sophomore, Robinson was one of the best players in college football, regardless of position. The sophomore averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2021 for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 295 yards and four scores.
In 2022, Robinson averaged 6.1 yards per carry for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also has 19 receptions for 314 yards and two scores. Team sources were blown away with his talent, and he is loved throughout the scouting community.
As we reported in the Hot Press, sources from a number of teams had Robinson (6-0, 214) graded higher than other recent top-five running back prospects of Saquon Barkley, Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott. Here is what one area scout shared with WalterFootball.com:
“It’s rare that the best pure runner is also the best pure receiver; that’s what makes Bijan unique,” said an area scout. “He can legitimately go run routes like a true receiver. His skill set is more Marshall Faulk than any of those guys. Saquon can obviously win in the passing game, but he’s not out running routes like Reggie Bush (Bijan does). His ball skills are as good as the top receivers in this class.
“There are other runners on his level or even a notch better, but you’re talking about the elite of every class, even on that alone. You can realistically run the offense thru him because he’s in on every situation as your RB1, 1-2nd Down, 2 minute, 4 minute. He’s more advanced all around than [Reggie] Bush, Joe Mixon, Saquon, Zeke. McCaffrey would have been like that had he been 215 pounds like Bijan. You have to go back to Faulk to find an elite runner and receiver like Bijan.”
Robinson is a flat-out stud running back. While he has a very good skill set with size and speed, his instincts and natural running ability makes him a dominant back. With incredible vision and feel, Robinson seems to be a step ahead of the defense, and that that leads to him making defenders look silly in their tackling attempts on a routine basis. Robinson has incredible cutting ability. He cuts in an instant with ridiculous change of direction ability. It is rare to see a big back who is so sudden in his movements to out-cut defensive backs and second-level defenders, but Robinson jukes and cuts by them with shocking ease. With his feel, Robinson can be a one-cut downhill zone-rushing runner or function in a man-blocking scheme who can create on his own. Robinson has a superb jump cut that leaves defenders grasping at air. With his natural ability, Robinson is capable of carrying his offense and his team to a win.
To be an effective running back in the NFL, a player has to have speed, and there is no doubt that Robinson has the gas to get it done. He has a quick first-step and hits the hole quickly. Thanks to his second gear, Robinson can accelerate to the next level, and he is fast enough to break off long runs. Even though Robinson does not have Chris Johnson- or Todd Gurley-type speed, he is plenty fast enough to be a good pro back.
Robinson completes the skill set with NFL power. He has a strong build and breaks a lot of tackles to pick up yards after contact. With natural knee bend, Robinson runs behind his pads and keeps his legs churning after contact. With his developed upper body, defenders have a hard time of controlling him to get him on the ground. Robinson also has a wicked stiff arm to push tacklers away and continue to gain yardage. He had some highlight-reel stiff arms that made defenders look ugly in their tackling attempts. Robinson’s size and power makes him an asset in short-yardage situations as well.
Robinson is also going to be an asset and a mismatch weapon in the passing game. He is a phenomenal receiver, and team sources said seeing him run routes as a wide receiver is jaw dropping. Robinson runs superb routes that create separation and get him open for his quarterback. Robinson also has soft hands and tracks the ball well. He has some amazing catches on tape where he contorts his body and adjusts to the ball in ways that have not been seen from a big strong running back.
As a pro, Robinson will be a dangerous mismatch weapon as a receiver with his speed and shiftiness in the open field. He could have the ability to line up in the slot and run routes like other talented receiving backs of Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey. In pass protection, Robinson is a willing blocker who will dish out some good hits. Once he learns his protection assignments, he should be a devastating three-down starter in the NFL.
On top of his skill set, team sources rave about Robinson as a person. They say he is a super hard worker, loves football, is a great teammate, and is not a partier. He is low key and calm off the field, and coaches will not have to worry about him getting in trouble.
Robinson landed in a great situation with the Falcons, as the team already has a superb supporting cast for Robinson, including a quality offensive line and excellent receiving weapons in Kyle Pitts and Drake London. The talent of the roster could help Desmond Ridder to break out in 2023, and Robinson will be a huge asset toward helping him. Atlanta also has a quality No. 2 back in Tyler Allgeier to help keep Robinson fresh and not overworked. It would not surprise me if Robinson becomes one of the greatest players in Falcons franchise history and is a true boom pick.
2022: Drake London, WR
2021: Kyle Pitts, TE
2020: A.J. Terrell, CB
2019: Chris Lindstrom, G
2018: Isaiah Oliver, CB
2017: Duke Riley, LB
2016: Keanu Neal, S
2015: Tevin Coleman, RB
2014: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT
2013: Malliciah Goodman, DE
Future Depth Player
Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah – Round 4 
Phillips was a productive corner in college, and he was a dynamic ball hawk for the Utes in 2022. However, Phillips is undersized at 5-foot-9, 184 pounds, plus team sources said that Phillips had some struggles in the team meetings with the mental side of the game. As a result, Phillips slid to the fourth round. With the Falcons, Phillips could emerge as a nickel corner or might be a solid fourth or fifth corner. Given his size and limitations, Phillips might be more of a backup as a pro, but he could be a solid depth contributor for Atlanta.
2022: Tyler Allgeier, RB
2021: Darren Hall, CB
2020: Mykal Walker, LB
2019: Qadree Ollison, RB
2018: Russell Gage, WR
2017: Brian Hill, RB
2016: De’Vondre Campbell, LB
2015: Justin Hardy, WR
2014: Devonta Freeman, RB
2013: Robert Alford, CB
Walt’s 2023 NFL Draft Grades:
8. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas – C Grade
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.
38. Matthew Bergeron, OT/G, Syracuse – B+ Grade
I slotted Matthew Bergeron at the end of my final mock draft. He’s a versatile player who can play tackle and guard, and he was terrific at the combine. The Falcons really needed offensive line help, as they went to the Super Bowl in 2016 because they had an elite blocking unit. The offensive line had been hurting ever since.
75. Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State – B+ Grade
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.
113. Clark Phillips, CB, Utah – A Grade
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.
224. Demarco Hellams, S, Alabama – B- Grade
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.
225. Jovaughn Gwynn, C/G, South Carolina – C+ Grade
Jovaughn Gwynn is a scrappy and versatile interior blocker, but he will have trouble making the roster because of his severe size limitations.
2023 NFL Draft Team Grade: B-. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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