Falcons trade up to pick No. 38, draft OL Matthew Bergeron

The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t wait to get back on the clock Friday night, trading up six spots to pick No. 38 in order to select Syracuse offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron in Round 2.

Atlanta sent the 44th and 110th overall picks to Indianapolis to move up for Bergeron, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

To get to No. 38, No. 44 and 110 to the #Colts. https://t.co/9vafprDGKS

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2023

Bergeron played primarily at left tackle at Syracuse, but he will likely move to guard for the Falcons. After letting Elijah Wilkinson walk in free agency, the left guard position was the team’s biggest remaining need.

The 6-foot-5, 318-pound offensive lineman was Pro Football Focus’ No. 65 rated prospect:

Bergeron has deadening hands in pass protection that should translate to the next level. He earned pass-blocking grades of 80.8 and 85.4 in the past two seasons.

Atlanta moved up after the Rams selected TCU guard Steve Avila, possibly anticipating a run on offensive linemen in the second round.

Some more OL talent, eh?@MatthewkBerger1

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 28, 2023