With nine total picks in this week’s 2022 NFL Draft—including five in the first three rounds—the Atlanta Falcons have an opportunity to add instant impact players in multiple positions of need, but it remains to seen which of those needs the front office will look to fill first.
Illustrating the number of needs for Atlanta, every mock draft you look at seemingly has the Falcons, who hold the eighth overall pick, taking a different player at a different position—pass rusher, wide receiver, offensive lineman or even a quarterback.
Joining Dukes & Bell on 92.9 The Game this afternoon, general manager Terry Fontenot remained tight-lipped when asked what the Falcons’ most pressing need may be heading into Thursday’s first round.
“I wouldn’t say there’s just one ‘number one’ need. I think there are several things. We do write down ‘okay, we do want to come away from the first two days and these are things we want to have checked, we want to have these specific things or we want to come out of this draft and have filled in these areas, but again, we’re not going to feel desperate and reach because that’s how you get in trouble,” Fontenot said.
Fontenot reiterated that the 'best player available' mentality will keep the Falcons from reaching for a player just because they happen to play a position of need.
“We have some areas that we are really hoping that we can hit on in this draft, and if it falls that way, we’ll be excited. If not, we’ll be excited about the other players we bring in," he said.
During the interview, Fontenot also touched on Grady Jarrett’s contract situation, the overall culture that he hopes to build and much more. Take a listen below:
