Grading each of the Atlanta Falcons 2022 draft picks
All early signs indicate that the Atlanta Falcons had an incredible draft in 2022. They were able to find some offensive playmakers while also gathering some promising young talent for the future on defense. It makes for an exciting future that has many fans more optimistic than they have been in a while.
The development of each of their rookies was evident throughout the year, especially the offensive trio. They genuinely have a young core to build around going forward.
Read: Grading each offensive position for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022.
Read: Grading each defensive position for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022.
Here we will look back on each of their seasons and grade them. If you remember, the Falcons didn’t end up making a pick in the fourth or seventh round. They drafted a total of eight players, five on offense and three on defense, with all but two of them playing a significant number of snaps during the year.
Let’s get right to it, starting with the two sixth-round picks from Georgia:
John FitzPatrick, TE, Georgia (Rd. 6, Pk. 213)
Stats: N/A
John FitzPatrick spent the whole season on injured reserve. He was projected to be one of the main blockers for the Atlanta Falcons offense but injuries stole his first season.
There isn’t much else to say other than that we all just hope that the former Bulldog can get healthy and make an impact in 2023
Grade: N/A
Justin Shaffer, OG, Georgia (Rd. 6, Pk. 190)
Stats: N/A
The other draft pick out of Georgia, Justin Shaffer, had some early buzz about potentially competing to be a starting left guard, but instead, he spent the entire season on the practice squad. The Falcons obviously believe in him because they drafted him and kept him around, but who knows what his future holds We do know that the Atlanta Falcons still need a starting left guard, and Shaffer could end up making a push for the job.