ATLANTA -- The 2023 NFL draft is over after three days in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The Atlanta Falcons made six of the draft’s 259 picks, beginning with the No. 8 selection of the first round on Thursday night.

ESPN has pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Falcons’ selections.

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

Round 1, No. 8 overall: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

My take: Such a smart pick by the Falcons, who often say they are going to take the best player available. Based off who was left on the board, Robinson -- perhaps the best player in the draft, period -- was the best available. It also makes Atlanta's offense dynamic, with first-round playmakers at running back, receiver (Drake London) and tight end (Kyle Pitts) for quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Will he start as a rookie: In a word, yes. Of course, at running back "starter" can be a week-to-week thing, but the Falcons value versatility, and Robinson has that. He can be a power running back to pair with Tyler Allgeier and a receiver in the mold of Cordarrelle Patterson. In reality, he's probably the eventual replacement for Patterson. Robinson, the first Texas player taken in the top 10 since 2006 (Vince Young and Michael Huff), will be a matchup nightmare for opponents and make Atlanta's offense difficult to defend.

Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole: It fills a hole as the Falcons were somewhat thin at running back beyond Allgeier with Caleb Huntley coming off an Achilles injury and Patterson over age 30. But it's deeper than that. It's about acquiring dynamic playmakers for an offense where the more spots a player can line up, the more enticing he is. In Robinson, they have that.

Round 2, No. 38 overall (from Raiders via Colts): Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse

My take: The Falcons need a starting left guard -- and perhaps that's where Bergeron will land after playing right and left tackle at Syracuse. He is an intriguing player after 39 college starts. There's the potential for versatility between guard and tackle. Atlanta seems to be intrigued by the guard/tackle combination as the team drafted Jalen Mayfield in 2021 and then signed Elijah Wilkinson to a one-year deal in free agency, both of whom have had similar experiences.

Will he start as a rookie: Probably? Atlanta has an opening at left guard, where Matt Hennessy and Mayfield had been the top potential options on the roster. Hennessy had shown promise there last year in spot starts. If Bergeron doesn't start as a rookie, he can be the Falcons' top backup at multiple positions because of the tackle experience behind Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary.

Round 3, No. 75 overall: Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State

My take: Harrison is a big dude -- 6-foot-6 -- and started 27 games for Ohio State. He can fit in reasonably well for the Falcons, who needed to add depth to their defensive line for 2023. Harrison will learn behind Calais Campbell before potentially replacing him in 2024. The concern would be Harrison's production as he never had more than 3.5 sacks in a season. The 10 passes defended over the past three seasons is intriguing.

Depth or starter: This feels like a depth selection. Atlanta's starting defensive line likely is comprised of Campbell, Grady Jarrett, Ta'Quon Graham and David Onyemata. And that's if the Falcons run a 4-3. But Campbell is on a one-year deal, and Falcons coach Arthur Smith wants a deep, versatile defensive front. Harrison will start off being part of that before a potential bigger role in the future as Atlanta cycles out other defensive linemen.

Round 4, No. 113 overall: Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah

My take: Smart pick by the Falcons on Day 3. Atlanta needed to add a cornerback at some point during the draft and by adding an All-American in the fourth round, that'll be worth taking a chance. Phillips will likely have the chance to come along slowly as Atlanta has both Mike Hughes and Dee Alford as options in the slot and at 5-foot-9, that could be his future.

Round 7, No. 224 overall: DeMarcco Hellams, S, Alabama

My take: Earlier Saturday, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said they could never have enough talented defensive backs. Two picks -- two defensive backs on the final day of the draft. Hellams had 160 solo tackles and three interceptions in his career -- including two in 2021. He'll be in a tough battle to make the roster with Jessie Bates III, Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins. But Atlanta has kept four safeties under Arthur Smith in the past, so he'll have a shot.

Round 7, No. 225 overall: Jovaughn Gwyn, G/C, South Carolina

My take: The Falcons love their players in the trenches, so taking Gwyn makes sense there. But this is also a team which ignored wide receivers during the draft and have theoretical depth at guard and center -- which includes Bergeron. Gwyn has leadership capabilities, though -- he was a team captain at South Carolina -- and was named second-team All-SEC last year by the coaches. He started 47 games for the Gamecocks, so he has experience, too. He'll be in for a tough roster spot battle, but that's not surprising considering how much Smith and Fontenot stressed this weekend how they want it to be difficult to make the team because of the talent on the roster.