Falcons Draft Matthew Bergeron; Future Starting LG?
The Atlanta Falcons' offensive line is stronger after the selection of Syracuse guard/tackle hybrid Matthew Bergeron.
The Falcons were keen on drafting Bergeron, trading up six spots with the Indianapolis Colts in order to ensure that he would come to Atlanta.
According to Pro Football Network, seven NFL teams sent offensive line coaches to watch Matthew Bergeron's Pro Day last month - one of which was the Falcons, who presumably had Dwayne Ledford travel to upstate New York.
The 6-5, 318-pound Bergeron started the final 39 games of his Syracuse career, seeing time at both left and right tackle. However, as Bergeron progresses into the NFL, his future may be inside ... and he's schematically a sound fit in Atlanta.
"Many believe Bergeron’s mobility, as well as his size and style, is more conducive to playing guard in a zone-blocking system," PFN writes.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith largely operates a wide-zone rushing attack with inside zone concepts worked in - but no matter inside or out, it's a heavy dose of zone.
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.
At center, Drew Dalman will likely start, and now Bergeron will have the opportunity to fill in the gap at left guard vacated by Elijah Wilkinson, who signed in free agency with the Arizona Cardinals.
In essence, only Matt Hennessy is still on the roster among the four players who started at least one game last season, and Hennessy, who lost the center job to Dalman during training camp, is entering the final year of his contract.
Clemson defensive end and Cincinnati Bengals 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."
Now, the Falcons have Bergeron to add to the team's program and it appears to be a pretty sound fit for the culture.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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