BREAKING: Falcons Trade Up, Select Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron in Second Round
Amidst unrelenting trade rumors, the Atlanta Falcons delivered, trading with the Indianapolis Colts to No. 38 overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Moving up six spots, the Falcons selected Syracuse offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron, who should slide into the starting left guard position.
According to SI's Draft Bible, Bergeron is "one of the safest prospects in the draft" and "projects as a long-term starting tackle or guard at the next level."
The Falcons gave up pick No. 110 overall, a fourth-round selection acquired from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Julio Jones; Atlanta still holds No. 75 later tonight, No. 113 in the fourth round and Nos. 224 and 225 in the seventh.
After working more as a right tackle upon arrival, Bergeron started 32 consecutive games at left tackle to close out his career and could plausibly kick inside for the Falcons, as the rest of the line appears finalized.
Jake Matthews will start at left tackle, while Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary were just given hefty extensions to hold down right guard and right tackle, respectively.
Clemson defensive end and projected first-round draft pick Myles Murphy said Bergeron was the toughest player he faced in college, effusing praise on the Victoriaville, Canada native's athleticism among other traits.
Off the field, Bergeron remains impressive - he was voted a team captain in 2022 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."
And now, Bergeron is a Falcon - bringing athleticism, versatility and character up front.
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