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Atlanta Falcons top draft choices answer some roster questions

By Joe Carlino

Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces USC wide receiver Drake London as the eighth overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces USC wide receiver Drake London as the eighth overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman Arnold Ebiketie (DL28) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman Arnold Ebiketie (DL28) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons 38th overall pick: Dr. Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE (Penn State) 

Wow, a trade involving the Falcons. And it involved them trading up? AND THEY PICKED A PASS RUSHER?!

Yes, Falcons fans, the team has addressed one of their glaring holes, and boy did they get a special one. While Ebiketie isn’t a real doctor like that Chiefs offensive lineman, he is a “doctor of pass rush”, which means he’ll be helping this front massively.

Coming out of Penn State by way of Temple, his 2021 campaign saw him amass more quarterback hits than both Micah Parsons and Odafe Oweh, which is pretty noteworthy, especially in the former’s case.

Furthermore, having 34″ arms and an 82″ wingspan means he can successfully use his length to promote his hand usage and generate the ability to separate from offensive linemen while simultaneously offering a larger frame to block passes.

Atlanta got a great answer to their pass rush group in a prime location. Trading up here and parting with only a fourth and a swap of seconds is a great value.

Grade for Ebiketie: B+

Atlanta Falcons 58th overall pick: Troy Anderson, LB (Montana State)

Okay, let’s get the formalities out of the way.

WHO?!

Who is this kid Atlanta just took with their second pick of the second round?

Well, apparently, Anderson’s a do-it-all player who’s a converted quarterback and is, by his RAS score, arguably the best linebacker to ever be drafted, scoring a perfect 10.0 on all his measurable stats with the exception of the bench press (no noted stat as of publication).

This does bode well for the Falcons, as getting a player whose athleticism is one of the best in the common draft era normally would mean big things for the positional group.

An explosive tackler who excels in a free blitzing role, Anderson’s knowledge of offensive schemes after converting over to the defensive side prove well for his development. Even more so, his leadership qualities from his coaches at Montana State combined with his academic superiority (finalist for some William V. Campbell Trophy) showcase a player with good potential assuming Atlanta makes the most of it.

For now, the grade on Anderson is solely based on pick selection and RAS score. This one could easily go up or down depending on the results shown in the A-T-L.

Grade for Anderson: B-