Congratulations!!
We've made it through all the mock drafts, the combine, private workouts, team visits and arrived at Draft Day 2023. Now, we've just got a little bit more to wait until the commissioner announces the first pick.
For the Falcons sitting at pick eight, multiple names have been attached to the team, on both sides of the ball. This is a team that had added pieces on both sides of the ball in free agency, so there's some freedom with this team deciding where to go.
The Steakhouse was able to have an hour long conversation with former Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff on Wednesday. No stranger to the entire pre and post draft process, Thomas was able to share some insight about what's going to happen inside of the Falcons war room. And, he offered his thoughts on where the Falcons need focus tonight, giving Steak and Rusty three names he thinks the Falcons need to focus on at eight.
Texas running back Bijan Robinson was the first name Thomas listed as a player to watch out for for the Falcons tonight. Thomas believes you can get a back in the second, third, fourth rounds and beyond, but he would definitely take Bijan in round one. The idea isn't about longevity as it is about wining now for teams and GMs.
According to Thomas, "GMs are saying let's get the best player we can. This guy is one of the better ones to come along in awhile." He's got the advantages from a size and speed standpoint, plus you can even play him out in the slot. Plus, there's an advantage for having a back like this for Desmond Ridder. "You get a get a running back in for a young quarterback, it's a completely different thing."
The next two names he lists are on the defensive side of the ball at the same position - Oregon corner Christian Gonzalez, and Illinois corner Devon Witherspoon. "The Atlanta Falcons should pair someone defensively with AJ Terrell." The combination of one of those two corners and new acquisition Jeff Okudah would make for a formidable secondary in the NFC.