Atlanta's 2022 draft class has made headlines for drafting QB Desmond Ridder in the third round but what's not being talked about enough is how much they improved their pass rush, as well. _RyanFowler_ discusses. FrontOffice33 | RiseUp
In what will be a rebuilding year from the ground up, this is a long trek up a steep slope for General Manager Terry Fontenot and Head Coach Arthur Smith. With franchise cornerstones elsewhere in Matt Ryan , Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley suspended for the 2022 campaign, expectations remain at a minimum for what is expected to be a two-man race for the NFC South crown this fall.
Just 20 picks later, the Falcons checked off a ton of boxes in one player by selecting Montana State do-it-all defenderVersatility. Versatility. Versatility. It’s the adjective that swamped Andersen’s evaluation all cycle long. A talent with All-America honors on both sides of the football, he’s one-of-one in this year’s rookie class. A quarterback, turned running back, turned fullback, turned linebacker, the Dillon, Mont.
Andersen was the Big Sky conference Freshman of the Year in 2017, aligning at both outside linebacker and in the backfield. He switched to quarterback in the spring leading up to the 2018 season. While the transition usually welcomes a slew of speed bumps that can take months, if not years, to overcome and be comfortable captaining an offense, his prep background as a two-time All-State signal caller masked any limitations Andersen had under center.
He was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year this past fall and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the FCS’ top defensive player. Andersen provides an intriguing mix of violence, range and football IQ from his days as a quarterback to read and dissect plays before they happen.
While he will need to beef up his current 235-pound frame if he eyes any type of role as an outside linebacker, his versatility is truly second to none. He is the definition of a ‘Swiss army knife’ type of athlete who could see himself work into a two-way role similar to Taysom Hill on the New Orleans Saints, who’s spent time at quarterback, tight end, running back, linebacker, and as a gunner on special teams.
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