LAS VEGAS — The Atlanta Falcons stayed busy during day two of the NFL draft in Las Vegas, addressing more needs and picking three players all with a chance to make an instant impact.
Just one day after taking former USC wide receiver Drake London with their first pick, the Falcons addressed needs at pass rusher, linebacker and quarterback.
Watch LIVE coverage of the final three rounds of the NFL Draft on Channel 2, beginning at Noon on Saturday.
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The team started the night by taking former Penn State edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie with the 38th pick. The Falcons traded their fourth round pick (No. 114) to the New York Giants so they could move up and grab Ebiketie who had 9.5 sacks and 62 tackles this past season for the Nittany Lions. Many believe he could step right in to the Falcons starting lineup to open the 2022 season.
General Manager Terry Fontenot used his second, second-round pick to take another defender, linebacker Troy Andersen who played at Montana State. Andersen started at running back, quarterback and linebacker in college and scouts were intrigued by his athletic skills.
Local fans were a little confused by this pick, primarily because University of Georgia star linebacker Nakobe Dean was still available. Dean fell all the way to the 83rd pick in round three, where he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles.
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In the third round, Fontenot addressed another of the Falcons many needs by taking a quarterback. Atlanta grabbed former Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder with the 74th pick in the draft.
Ridder was considered one of the top three or four quarterback prospects available in this draft. He was the second quarterback taken behind Kenny Pickett, who went to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He’s considered a very experienced signal caller with a good arm and was lauded for his decision making process. Scouting reports say his passing accuracy was the one thing holding him back.
Ridder will join free agent signee Marcus Mariota in the quarterback room, which gives him the chance to adjust and learn the NFL game.
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Atlanta wrapped up their third round by grabbing former Western Kentucky edge rusher and linebacker DeAngelo Malone. Considering how bad the Falcons were in 2021 when trying to rush the passer, adding two players (Malone and Ebiketie) seems like the team is looking to solidify a very weak spot.
On Saturday afternoon, the final day of the 2022 draft, the Falcons have three more picks. Since they traded away their fourth-round pick, the next selection will be in the fifth round. Atlanta will close out their draft weekend with two picks in the sixth round. They don’t currently have any picks in round seven, which is the last round of the draft.
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