Falcons 2022 Rookie Grade: Exciting, Yet Uncertain?
After a disappointing 7-10 record to finish last in NFC South and missing the postseason, the Atlanta Falcons and their young talent left a lot to be desired in 2022. However, multiple first-year contributors provided highlights (including a bit of a quarterback controversy) in a forgettable season.
The youth movement is strong in the NFL, with multiple rookies making major impacts in crucial moments. Unsurprisingly, the New York Jets had the best rookie class, according to NFL.com, with rookies Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson each earning a Rookie of the Year Honor.
How does the Falcons rookie class compare? Atlanta's 2022 class ranked No. 9 of the 32 teams. Here is what NFL.com said of the Falcons' rookies:
Despite running routes for the likes of Marcus Mariota and rookie Desmond Ridder, Drake London thrived in Year 1, catching 72 passes for 866 yards and four touchdowns. He's penciled in as Atlanta's top receiver going forward. Arnold Ebiketie had the type of season one might expect from a second-round pick, getting only one start but playing more pass-rushing snaps than the starter in front of him. Though his numbers weren't gaudy, he put together some solid performances and needs to build on that in the years ahead. The Falcons have a linebacking corps that flies under the radar, but has given reasons to be excited about its future.
Arthur Smith's decision to test Ridder in the final month of the 2022 season didn't produce wins initially, but the young quarterback did start to figure it out a bit in the last couple weeks, helping the Falcons to a pair of victories while completing 38 of 56 passes for 393 yards and two touchdowns in those final two games. Ridder hasn't yet convinced everyone he's the answer for Atlanta at the position going forward; however, he wasn't completely lost, which is a positive sign for a third-round pick.
The Falcons have a quality starter in London, who looks to make a second-year leap after setting a Falcons franchise rookie record for receptions (72) in a run-heavy offense. Showing marked improvement in each game, Coach Arthur Smith said he thinks Ridder's "future is bright" after his four starts as a rookie. The Falcons have remained non-committal on if Ridder is their starting quarterback for 2023.
The Falcons are currently scouting the NFL Combine in search of bettering their next class. The combine runs until March 6 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the favorite (-175) to be drafted No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears own the first pick, however, there are multiple quarterback-needy teams (possibly Atlanta) who may desire to trade up. The draft will take place at Union Station in Kansas City with the first round beginning on April 27.
Atlanta currently has nine picks in the draft, including No. 8 overall.
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