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Atlanta Falcons 2022 mock draft following Matt Ryan trade

By Lucas Schuh

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Garrett Wilson #WO39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Garrett Wilson #WO39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Falcons
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 27: Garrett Wilson #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons 2022 NFL mock draft: First round

Wide Receiver. Ohio State. Garrett Wilson. 1. Scouting Report. 812. Pick Analysis. player

The Falcons could go in a multitude of different directions here. Atlanta could draft a QB, Malik Willis, they could draft a high-end cornerback like Derek Stingley or Sauce Gardner, or they could draft an edge like Travon Walker, or of course, they could draft a receiver, and in this case, that’s what they did. I’m not saying that wide receiver is the best or only option here but in this mock draft, it’s what I chose.

I might make another Falcons mock draft where they go a different route, but in this case, I went receiver and Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson.

In recent years, the Falcons have almost always had a strong receiver group. They have had the likes of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohammed Sanu, Russell Gage, and others, but things have changed quite a bit. Jones is now a free agent, Ridley is suspended for the 2022 season, and there aren’t any real quality 2nd or 3rd receivers on the roster.

As it stands now, the starting receivers for the Falcons would be Olamide Zaccheaus, Blake Christian, and who knows who could be the 3rd string receiver. It’s safe to say that the Falcons need some help at receiver

There are a decent amount of quality receivers available in this draft, with the likes of Drake London, Jameson Williams, Treylon Burks, and the Ohio State receivers Chris Olave and the man who I have the Falcons drafting, Garrett Wilson.

If Olave is the better route runner of the two Ohio State receivers, Wilson is the more dynamic after the catch of the two receivers. Wilson has shown multiple times that he is a dangerous man after the catch and has some great jump in and out of his breaks. Wilson is on the thinner side of things and may need to gain some muscle when he gets to the NFL, but he has still shown to be a great receiver.

Not only is Wilson a great receiver, but he fits the Falcons franchise and current roster. Of course, he fills the need at receiver, but when Ridley comes back, Wilson fits alongside Ridley’s route-running prowess with his after-the-catch skills. Wilson will also be able to help whatever QB the Falcons end up drafting either this year or next

Other Players Considered: Malik Willis, Chris Olave, Drake London

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