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Position the Atlanta Falcons should target with each 2022 draft pick

By Grayson Freestone

Oct 15, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) catches the ball in front of Syracuse Orange linebacker Marlowe Wax (2) during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) catches the ball in front of Syracuse Orange linebacker Marlowe Wax (2) during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons
Oct 10, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) calls a play at the line of scrimmage in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons should target a pass rusher with their first-round pick

Whether or not the Atlanta Falcons end up with a top-ten pick could determine what position they target with their first-round pick.

With Terry Fontenot going into his second draft as the general manager of the Falcons, fans can only hope he can change the teams’ fortunes by trying to find a franchise pass rusher. Atlanta has been as bad as any team during the past decade in trying to find a perennial double-digit sack pass rusher.

Just think about the recent history, everyone thought Thomas Dimitroff had finally found one in Vic Beasley. Vic was able to produce a dominant year in 2016 but quickly fell off a cliff. Then he decided to take Takk McKinley over T.J. Watt who is now one of the best sack artists in the entire league.

This is why having a new general manager is exciting, he could potentially finally find that guy for Atlanta.

This has been the top position of need every year, and with Dante Fowler Jr.’s contract expiring after this season, it puts this position in dire need.

If the Falcons somehow ended up with the first-overall pick, the selection would have to be Kayvon Thibodeaux out of Oregon. He is the perfect NFL prototype for an edge rusher.

Past Thibodeaux—who likely will not make it past the first selection—there are guys like George Karlaftis from Purdue, Aidan Hutchinson from Michigan, and Kingsley Enagbare out of South Carolina.

There will no doubt be more edge rushers who shine down the stretch in college football and that will only help Atlanta.