Falcons Draft Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron: Grade & Analysis
The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2023 NFL Draft in need of a left guard and secured their guy with Syracuse's Matthew Bergeron, trading up six spots in the second round with the Indianapolis Colts.
But who is Bergeron and why did the Falcons give up their first of two fourth-round picks to trade up for him?
A native of Victoriaville, Canada, Bergeron received only one college scholarship - Syracuse. He proceeded to start the final 39 games of his college career, seeing time at both left and right tackle.
The 6-5, 318-pound Bergeron worked more as a right tackle upon arrival, becoming the first true freshman to start at offensive tackle for the Orange in 17 years, before starting 32 consecutive games on the left side to close out his career.
This past season, Bergeron allowed three hurries, four quarterback hits, five sacks and 12 pressures while earning an 80.8 overall pass blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus.
As a run blocker, Bergeron graded out at 69 overall but has been praised by league evaluators for his physicality, and his athleticism projects kindly to Atlanta's wide-zone offense.
SI's Draft Bible dubbed Bergeron "one of the safest prospects in the draft" and as someone who "projects as a long-term starting tackle or guard at the next level."
In Atlanta, Bergeron appears poised to slide into the starting left guard role, which four different players held last year amidst an array of injuries. Preferred starter Elijah Wilkinson signed with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, leaving an opening that has now been filled by the second-team All-ACC selection.
Physically, Bergeron passes with flying colors, measuring in with 33 3/4-inch arms and an 82 3/8-inch wingspan. He starred in athletic testing, posting a 30.5-inch vertical, 4.66 shuttle and 7.38 3-cone, one of the quickest times by a guard in the last 36 years.
For as impressive as he is on the field, Bergeron is equally strong off of it.
An honor roll student in six consecutive semesters dating back to his freshman year, Bergeron was a team captain this past season and won Syracuse's Ben Schwartzwalder award given annually to an "exemplary football player whose leadership skills and on-field production embody the hard-nosed approach of the program."
This was part of the allure for the Falcons - offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford flew to Syracuse for Bergeron's pro day, and the two sides spoke about many things away from football afterwards.
Evidently, that conversation proved impressive enough for the Falcons to add Bergeron to their group and anoint him as a potential long-term solution at left guard.
With Bergeron, Atlanta's offensive line is now set across the board for years to come, as left tackle Jake Matthews and right tackle Kaleb McGary are both under contract for three more years, right guard Chris Lindstrom just signed a five-year extension this offseason and center Drew Dalman has two years left on his rookie contracts.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith have stressed the importance of setting the tone with the offensive line and running game, a theme further established with the deals that McGary and Lindstrom received and the use of the No. 8 overall pick on Texas running back Bijan Robinson.
Staring at continuity up front, the Falcons have a realistic chance to field one of the league's best offensive lines while forming a legitimate identity up front, just as Fontenot and Smith set out to do.
Ideologically and schematically, Bergeron makes sense - and his value checks out, as well.
Per ESPN, team executives singled out Bergeron as a potential surprise first-round pick in advance of the draft, with one anonymous NFC scout saying he's "big, long, powerful and good off the field," which is "usually good enough to get you into the first round."
Instead, Bergeron slid to the second round and Atlanta pounced, landing a prospect viewed as safe both on and off the field.
And for that, the selection of Bergeron earns an A- grade, as it fills a need and comes with nice value all the while helping set the tone this regime has aimed for since taking over in Jan. 2021.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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