After another 7-10 season, the Atlanta Falcons landed the eighth overall pick in the draft for the second year in a row. In 2022, the team used this pick on USC wide receiver Drake London, who would go on to set a new franchise record for catches by a rookie.
London led the Falcons with 72 catches for 866 receiving yards and four touchdowns last season. With the eighth overall pick in 2023, the team could potentially add an edge rusher, cornerback, offensive lineman or another wide receiver.
To help give you an idea of what Atlanta may do, let’s go back through every No. 8 overall pick since the year 2000 in this edition of NFL draft history.
2000: WR Plaxico Burress - Steelers
2001: WR David Terrell - Bears
2002: DB Roy Williams - Cowboys
2003: OL Jordan Gross - Panthers
2004: DB DeAngelo Hall - Falcons
2005: DB Antrel Rolle - Cardinals
2006: DB Donte Whitner - Bills
2007: DE Jamaal Anderson - Falcons
2008: DE Derrick Harvey - Jaguars
2009: OL Eugene Monroe - Jaguars
2010: LB Rolando McClain - Raiders
2011: QB Jake Locker - Titans
2012: QB Ryan Tannehill - Dolphins
2013: WR Tavon Austin - Rams
2014: DB Justin Gilbert - Browns
2015: OLB Vic Beasley - Falcons
2016: OL Jack Conklin - Titans
2017: RB Christian McCaffrey - Panthers
2018: LB Roquan Smith - Bears
2019: TE T.J. Hockenson - Lions
2020: LB Isaiah Simmons - Cardinals
2021: DB Jaycee Horn - Panthers
2022: WR Drake London - Falcons
Picks by position
- 6 Defensive backs
- 4 Wide receivers
- 3 Offensive linemen
- 3 DE/OLB
- 3 Middle linebackers
- 2 Quarterbacks
- 1 Running back
- 1 Tight end