The 2022 NFL draft is just two weeks away and there’s still no clear indication of what the Falcons are going to do at pick No. 8. With plenty of options at edge rusher, wide receiver and cornerback, many are wondering if Atlanta will instead add a quarterback in round one.
In our latest seven-round mock draft, the Falcons take the best player available in the first round and add a new quarterback in the second.
Round 1: Pick 8 | CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
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Is Ahmad Gardner filling the biggest hole for the Falcons? No. In fact, the team signed Casey Hayward and now have two solid starters at the cornerback position. However, when you’re picking No. 8, and you have many holes to fill, you take the best player available, and Gardner was the guy. Plus, the addition of Hayward means the team won’t be forced to start Gardner right away.
Round 2: Pick 43 | QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
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In my last mock draft, the Falcons didn’t take a quarterback. However, that was before the team traded Matt Ryan to the Colts for a third-round pick. Atlanta doesn’t know what it has in Marcus Mariota yet, but the team can’t afford to wait around until next year to find out. The quarterback position is too important in the NFL to not have a clear long-term plan. As with the Gardner pick in round one, Ridder wouldn’t have to start right away with Mariota in the picture. The Cincinnati signal-caller would be a great value in round two.
Round 2: Pick 58 | EDGE Logan Hall, Houston
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Taken with the pick acquired in the Julio Jones trade, Logan Hall is a player who could compete with Ade Ogundeji at outside linebacker right away. While Hall isn’t a guy who scouts project to be a consistent starter in his first year, considering the team’s lack of difference-makers along the edge, Atlanta can afford to let Hall develop.
Round 3: Pick 74 | WR David Bell, Purdue
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