Atlanta Falcons take Canadian OL Bergeron in second round of 2023 NFL draft

Apr 28, 2023 | 4:51 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Atlanta Falcons selected Canadian offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night.

Atlanta made a deal with the Indianapolis Colts to select Bergeron with the seventh pick of the second round, No. 38 overall.

The 23-year-old native of Victoriaville, Que., played his college football at Syracuse and became the first Canadian selected in this year’s draft.

The six-foot-five, 322-pound Bergeron started 11 games last season at Syracuse and served as a team captain. 

Bergeron allowed just four sacks in 686 snaps and was penalized three times.

Bergeron was a  2022 second team All-ACC and AP All-ACC second team selection.

The burly Canadian anchored an offensive line that helped running back Sean Tucker gain more than 1,000 yards and become the first player in school history to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons as well as 250-plus receiving yards.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2023.

The Canadian Press