Rumored as a team interested in trading up earlier Friday, the Atlanta Falcons are joining the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders in following through early in Round 2.
Atlanta sent the Indianapolis Colts pick Nos. 44 and 110 for the right to move into the No. 38 slot. The Falcons then drafted Syracuse tackle Matthew Bergeron from their newfound perch. This move comes shortly after the Colts sent the Raiders No. 35 overall. Indianapolis looks to be stockpiling picks to start the second round.
The first of a number of Canadians expected to hear their names called in this year’s draft, Bergeron established himself as one of the top members of a top-heavy tackle class during his time in Syracuse. Notably, Bergeron was announced as a guard, though, and he could be a candidate to move inside for at least the early part of his pro career.
It was recently reported that Atlanta was interested in adding a lineman capable of doing just that with their first pick. The team went a much different direction, selecting running back Bijan Robinson at No. 8. He will boost their rushing game, something also made possible by an offensive line which has few openings at the moment. Bergeron will look to establish a role for himself as at least a backup along the interior when he hits summer camp upcoming.
Atlanta already has left tackle Jake Matthews under contract through 2026, but Bergeron could be seen as a potential long-term successor on the blindside depending on his developmental path. The Falcons’ RG situation is currently shored up with Chris Lindstrom, who was made the league’s highest-paid guard earlier this offseason.
Bergeron’s run-blocking strength could allow him to compete for snaps opposite Lindstrom in the short- and long-term future if he remains on the interior.
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