2022 NFL mock draft: Texans pass on QB in QB-heavy predictions
2022 NFL mock draft: 7th pick
7. 44. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Purdue. George Karlaftis. EDGE. player
Give Atlanta Falcons rookie general manager Terry Fontenot credit — he has had to make some brutally tough decisions in the 2021 offseason.
Fontenot made the decision to push a bunch of Matt Ryan’s money into the future, almost tying his hands when it comes to keeping the veteran quarterback right where he is at.
This move undoubtedly caused Atlanta to be “out” on the 2021 quarterback class despite the fact that they were picking fourth overall. Atlanta could have taken a hometown player in Justin Fields, but they passed.
Fontenot also made the tough decision to trade Julio Jones after making Kyle Pitts the highest-selected tight end in the history of the draft.
Those difficult decisions for Fontenot have all led to a very odd offseason in general where the Falcons made a puzzling combination of rebuilding moves and win-now moves.
Although it remains uncertain whether the Falcons are rebuilding or not, this is a team that has some serious needs off the edge and in the pass rush department.
George Karlaftis is a relentless pass rusher for Purdue who, in 14 collegiate games, has 58 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and had a whopping 55 QB pressures in his freshman season in 2019.