2022 CFP National Championship draft prospects that should interest Falcons

As the Falcons enter the offseason, the front office will be busy scouting impending free agents and prospects eligible for April’s draft. Many of those prospects appeared in Monday’s National Championship between Alabama and Georgia. Both teams are loaded with NFL-caliber talent, but three of the top players in the game aren’t draft-eligible — Will Anderson, Bryce Young, and Brock Bowers. However, there are still plenty of prospects that should interest the Falcons.

*Some players weren’t suited up for the game for whatever reason, but I chose to include everyone

Alabama Crimson Tide

• OT Evan Neal
• WR Jameson Williams
• WR John Metchie III
• LB Christian Harris
• LB Henry To’o To’o
• CB Josh Jobe
• S Jordan Battle
• TE Jahleel Billingsley
• OG Emil Ekiyor Jr.
• RB Brian Robinson Jr.
• DL Phidarian Mathis

Williams and Metchie both suffered significant injuries that will likely result in them sliding down some draft boards, but the Falcons could find great value with either receiver if they do fall. Jobe is a great corner prospect that could provide value similarly to Williams and Metchie because of injury. Neal is arguably the best tackle in the class and could bolster the Falcons pass protection.

Billingsley could be a sleeper pick. His route running, catch radius, and speed might allow him to carve out a nice role as a TE2 behind Kyle Pitts, but I find it more likely that he stays in college for at least one more season. Harris and To’o To’o are athletic off-ball linebackers that could replace Foye Oluokun or Deion Jones, depending on the Falcons’ direction. Robinson is a bull of a running back that could eventually be Arthur Smith’s workhorse.

Georgia Bulldogs

• DL Jordan Davis
• LB Nakobe Dean
• CB Derion Kendrick
• S Lewis Cine
• WR George Pickens
• DL Devonte Wyatt
• DL/EDGE Travon Walker
• OG Jamaree Salyer
• EDGE Nolan Smith
• RB Zamir White
• LB Quay Walker
• RB James Cook

The reason the Dawgs won the National Championship is because of their front-seven, which is easily the best group in the nation. Davis, Dean, and Walker are all likely first-round picks. Davis is a monster of a nose tackle with limited effectiveness rushing the passer; Dean is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with the versatility to rush the passer, similar to former UGA linebacker Roquan Smith. Walker is a versatile edge defender that could kick inside on obvious pass rushing downs.

Kendrick and Cine are both Day 2 defensive backs that could bolster the Falcons on the backend. Running back duo White and Cook could both contribute to the Falcons offense. Pickens may be my favorite out of the bunch because of his size, speed, and ball skills. His ACL injury will likely affect his draft stock, so it could be an opportunity for the Falcons to find some value.