For the second year in a row, the Atlanta Falcons surprised the rest of the NFL with their first-round draft selection. After taking running back Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 pick in the 2023 draft, the team added quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in that same slot in 2024.
While these two selections received the most attention, the Falcons made notable moves in the second round of those same drafts. In 2023, they traded up for offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron before pulling off a trade for defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro this past April.
Neither pick was super popular at the time, but Bergeron proved the doubters wrong with an excellent rookie campaign. Despite primarily playing tackle at Syracuse, Bergeron had no problem starting at left guard for the Falcons last season.
The second-year lineman has a promising future and people are starting to take notice. NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks listed Bergeron as a starting guard on his 2024 Offensive All-Breakout Team:
The athletic interior blocker is poised to shine in a revamped offense under new coordinator Zac Robinson that makes the most of his talents as a people mover at the point of attack. Bergeron’s movement skills should lead to more space for running back Bijan Robinson on runs while providing sufficient protection for Kirk Cousins to attack from the pocket.
As Robinson builds a game plan that enables the Falcons to showcase their skill players on the perimeter, the football world could come to better appreciate the work Bergeron does between the tackles in 2024. — Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Bergeron filled the last remaining weak spot along the team’s offensive line. If he can continue to improve this season, the Falcons offense has a chance to take off in a way we haven’t seen in a few years.
Center Drew Dalman is another player who’s developed nicely over the last couple of seasons in Atlanta. Former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith certainly had some flaws, but you can’t say he wasn’t good at developing young offensive linemen.
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