Given the excitement around drafting players like Kyle Pitts and Richie Grant in the first two rounds of the draft, fans could be forgiven for overlooking the selection of Ade Ogundeji in the fifth round. However, whether the coaching staff always had big plans for Ogundeji or he endeared himself to the Falcons upon arrival, the rookie defender was one of the few young players to see action early and consistently.
Now that we’ve got the complete picture, let’s take a look back at one of the unexpected surprises of the 2021 draft class.
2021 Stats
- 16 games (11 starts)
- 33 combined tackles & 5 tackles for a loss
- 1 sack (10 total pressures)
- 1 pass defense
- 1 fumble recovery
Rookie Year Highlights
- Week 12 at Jacksonville – 9 combined tackles (career-high)
Overall
In writing Ogundeji’s scouting profile for The Falcoholic, Eric Robinson concluded his piece with a statement that was simultaneously misguided and incredibly prescient: “Time and patience will be required with Ogundeji, but the potential may pay off sooner than later for Atlanta.