Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

The Bow Tie Chronicles: Falcons are ready for a ‘unique’ draft

073121 Flowery Branch: Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith (right) gives general manager Terry Fontenot give each other a fist bump after speaker to Falcons fans on the third day of training camp practice on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Flowery Branch. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

073121 Flowery Branch: Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith (right) gives general manager Terry Fontenot give each other a fist bump after speaker to Falcons fans on the third day of training camp practice on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Flowery Branch. “Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com”
By
April 27, 2022

In the 328th episode of The Bow Tie Chronicles podcast, host D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution discusses issues for the NFL draft with Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith. The Falcons hold the eighth overall pick in the draft and have heavily scouted the quarterback class after trading Matt Ryan to the Colts for a third-round draft pick. The Falcons have five picks in the top 82 for what Fontenot called a “unique” draft.

AJC’S 2022 POSITION-BY-POSITION SERIES

WIDE RECEIVERS – Falcons need to upgrade weapons | Top 10 WRs

RUNNING BACKS – Position has become devalued in draft | Top 10 RBs

TIGHT ENDS – Chigoziem Okonkwo survived heart condition | Top 10 TEs

OFFENSIVE LINE – Ex-UGA lineman Salyer points to wins in SEC trenches | Top 10 OL

QUARTERBACKS – Malik Willis now top QB prospect for NFL draft | Top 10 QBs

DEFENSIVE LINE – Georgia dominates D-line talk ahead of draft | Top 10 DL

LINEBACKERS – Ex-UGA star Dean the latest test of play vs. measurables | Top 10 LBs

CORNERBACKS – Cincinnati’s Sauce Gardner or LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. | Top 10 CBs

SAFETIES – Georgia’ Lewis Cine will knock your block off | Top 10 Safeties

SPECIAL TEAMS – Special-teams players attracting draft interest | Top 10 Special-teamers

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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