Smith, Fontenot's First Falcons Draft Class Dwindling After Mayfield Cut

There's plenty of optimism surrounding this year's Atlanta Falcons - but the first draft class put together by coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot isn't one of the primary reasons as to why.

The Falcons selected eight players in 2021. It's quite likely that the team's 53-man roster, of which the first copy will be finalized by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, will only include three active players from that eight-man class.

Atlanta began that draft by making Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted tight end in league history, and he largely delivered early, recording the second-most yards ever by a rookie at the position with 1,026.

But Pitts' second season didn't go according to plan, as he battled inconsistent quarterback play and suffered a torn MCL in Week 11, finishing with only 28 grabs for 356 yards. He'll now enter his third season looking to get back to previous form, and there's quite a high chance that he does exactly that.

Pitts is far from the Falcons' biggest concern - neither is second-round pick Richie Grant, who finished last year as the fourth-leading tackler among all safeties with 123, nor defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham, an ascending player inside who had eight quarterback hits in only 11 games before tearing his MCL.

Those three are legitimate pieces and have proven to be quality selections - and fifth-round pick Avery Williams is right there with them, having led the NFL in yards per punt return last season at 16.2 yards per return, but he's set to miss the entirety of this year with a torn ACL suffered this summer.

The other four picks - third-round offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield, fourth-round cornerback Darren Hall, fifth-round outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji and sixth-round receiver Frank Darby - all find themselves either off the roster or trending in that direction.

Mayfield's tenure in Atlanta started off on the wrong foot and only trundled thereafter. A college right tackle, Mayfield slid to left guard during training camp his rookie season after an injury to starter Josh Andrews.

The former Michigan standout had a difficult year after being thrown into the fire, giving up a league-high 11 sacks and registering a pass blocking grade of just 27, per Pro Football Focus. His hope for a bounce-back second season ended before it started, as he missed the entire year with a back injury that flared up during training camp.

This summer, Mayfield entered on the roster bubble and started strong, drawing praise from Smith and working his way into contention for the swing tackle job ... but he had a tough final two preseason games and saw his time in Atlanta officially end on Saturday, as the Falcons waived him and three others to begin trimming their roster down to 90.

As things stand, it appears likely that Hall follows in his footsteps, having entered Thursday night's preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers long after Breon Borders and Natrone Brooks, who are on the bubble in their own right.

This preseason, Hall has mustered only three tackles, and with the Falcons seemingly searching for someone to step up on the outside after Jeff Okudah's injury, the San Diego State alum never received a legitimate opportunity from Smith and staff.

Ogundeji's time in Atlanta started with promise, as he started 11 of 16 games and made five tackles for loss as a rookie, but his game never ascended in the manner the Falcons had hoped; he started all 16 games he played in last season, posting two sacks, three tackles for loss and one quarterback hit.

Currently, Ogundeji is on injured reserve after being carted off the field with a leg injury suffered during camp, but his spot on the roster was already uncertain following Atlanta's additions to its revamped defensive line.

Darby was oft hailed for his energetic personality and leadership, but he caught only two regular season passes for 29 yards on five attempts. He was in the midst of his best training camp as a professional this summer before suffering a soft tissue injury that resulted in him being waived.

It's important to recognize that teams understand their draft classes won't be without flaws; in fact, the Falcons netting three players who will have roles this fall shouldn't be scoffed at.

But considering where the class was at a year ago, with Hall and Ogundeji eyeing breakout second seasons and having the opportunity to prove it, to now, where both are likely on their way out along with Mayfield and Darby, there's certainly an element of disappointment.

And so, while it's clear that Smith and Fontenot have rebuilt the Falcons' roster from top to bottom and have largely outperformed the capabilities of the team and situation they were first given, losing four of eight draft picks prior to the start of their third season isn't the goal they were hoping for.

That said, the future in Atlanta remains bright - and the present, even with a few prospective pieces no longer in the mix, appears to be equally as promising.