The Atlanta Falcons have had no shortage of frustrating draft classes in recent memory. With this in mind, let's look back at the 2022 class and imagine how different things might have been if the franchise had made the right decision and selected an impact player in place of the early-round mistakes that were made.
Rules for this exercise are that any selection replacement must be on the board after Atlanta's pick, with the player being within ten picks of the player the Falcons selected. Leading us to a first-round decision that can be legitimately debated despite Drake London's incredible start.
Round One Pick #8 Drake London
London has done nothing but produce since he stepped into the league despite being surrounded by ineptitude at both the quarterback and receiver positions. The Falcons have handed the receiver an uphill battle, and London has continually found ways to prove the team's trust to be the right decision. With that said, there are a trio of interesting players within reach here with Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Kyle Hamilton all on the board.
As great as this trio of players might be, there simply is no getting around the fact that London fits Atlanta perfectly. If the Falcons had to do it over again, it is a short-lived debate that ends with London as an Atlanta Falcon.
Round Two Pick #38 Arnold Ebiketie
Ebiketie left in free agency this past offseason after spending much of his career in Atlanta, showing just enough to continue to earn chances. The pass rusher has talent but not the consistency that fans were hoping for. There is little question here that the Falcons would erase this decision and instead add a building block in the secondary in Jaquan Brisker.
Brisker is far from perfect, but a great starting option that hands the Falcons a bit of stability at the back end of the secondary. The only other possible selection is Kenneth Walker, a solid add, but one that isn't needed due to Atlanta's later decisions.
Round Two Pick #58 Troy Andersen
Andersen is a difficult player to judge; on the rare occasions he has been on the field, the linebacker has produced. However, Andersen is so often hurt that it cannot be argued that the Falcons made the wrong choice here. If the team wanted to add to the defense, the correct choice was current Denver Bronco Nik Bonitto.
The linebacker has the type of impact on Sean Payton's team that Atlanta fans were hopeful Andersen would grow into. Instead, the defender remains very much a hypothetical due to an inability to stay on the field and play consistent snaps.
Round Three Pick #74 Desmond Ridder
Ridder cannot find a team willing to give him a consistent role as a third-string option. The Green Bay Packers cut the signal-caller earlier in the offseason to make room to bring in an aging Tyrod Taylor. No question, Ridder brought in nothing but misery for Atlanta fans and isn't a viable decision in the draft's third round.
Nakobe Dean was the correct decision here, even with the defender's inconsistency at the next level. Dean is a Georgia product and would've made a portion of the fanbase happy while giving the team a strong group of linebackers that carried what was, in reality, a weak defense.
Round Three Pick #82 DeAngelo Malone
Malone is yet another example of Atlanta's inability over the last decade to make the right choice when it comes to adding pass rushers. Malone unquestionably shouldn't have been selected, with quarterback Malik Willis being the right choice. The current Miami Dolphins quarterback is the project starter that the team hoped Ridder would become.
Willis, at the very least, would've been more entertaining to watch and given the Falcons an exciting run game when paired with the next selection.
Round Five Pick #151 Tyler Allgeier
The current Arizona Cardinal is not given enough credit for what he accomplished in his rookie season under Arthur Smith. The head coach ran a bland offensive attack that was incredibly predictable and relied on quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder. Still, Allgeier ran for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season and was an undeniable force.
Atlanta fans have a lot of love for the playmaker, and a draft decision that unquestionably wouldn't be erased if the Falcons could go back in time.
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