When General Manager Terry Fontenot took the job in Atlanta, he told the media a ton of talent resides just outside the facility walls in Flowery Branch. The state of Georgia has been a hotbed of football talent, so Fontenot would put a peach next to those with local ties to Georgia on his draft boards.
Every year, the Falcons find a local product to keep home, whether a homegrown kid who grew up in Georgia or a transplant who calls Georgia home after four years of college.
This year, the Falcons held a local pro day for those with these ties to the state and found themselves two draft picks from the day.
Notre Dame interior linebacker JD Bertrand heard his name called as a fifth-round pick. Georgia defensive tackle Zion Logue became the final pick of the 2024 NFL draft with pick 197.
Finding this kind of talent so close to home feels like a trend that the Falcons will continue to hone in on. Other players that Fontenot has picked that are close to the area are as follows:
- DeAngelo Malone, 2022, Round 3, Pick 82 - Western Kentucky (Atlanta, GA)
- Justin Shaffer, 2022, Round 6, Pick 190 - Georgia (Ellenwood, GA)
- John Fitzpatrick, 2022, Round 6, Pick 213 - Georgia (Atlanta, GA)
