Atlanta Falcons select Jovaughn Gwyn in 7th round of 2023 NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons have selected Jovaughn Gwyn with the No. 225 overall pick in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The former South Carolina standout will now take his talents to the NFL and look to earn a role on offense.

Gwyn finished the 2022 college season as a team caption and was named a second-team All-SEC selection by the coaches. On his college career, which included 49 games and 47 starts, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman made his mark.

He became a steal in the class of 2018 after starring at Harding University (NC). Gwyn ranked as a four-star recruit at No. 366 overall and No. 23 among interior offensive linemen, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jovaughn Gwyn

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke down what Jovaughn Gwyn can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the offensive lineman’s draft profile. The analyst did not rank him among the prospects with a grade worthy of a draft pick, but did believe he would become a priority free agent.

In Zielein’s report, he breaks down what Gwyn can bring to a team at the NFL level.

“Gwyn is a solid football player, but his lack of size and length is a major hindrance relative to staying at guard,” wrote Zierlein. “He’ll likely need to prove he can snap and play center, where he will still be considered undersized. He’s a tenacious run blocker who can operate in multiple schemes but might not be able to shine in any of them. Gwyn plays with a firm base and good body control in protection but lacks the length and range to consistently protect gaps. Gwyn will be a one-position player, but he has enough talent and technique to compete for a roster spot at center.”

Zierlein also broke down what Gwyn’s greatest strengths and weaknesses are at this point.

Gwyn’s strengths include: “Four-year starter and well-respected teammate, adequate first-step quickness as zone- and pull-blocker, plays under his pads and with body control, hand strength and foot movement to stay connected to blocks, very firm when standing up to power rushers, able to open his hips and slide to recovery in pass sets.”

Gwyn’s weaknesses include: “Undersized with short arms, unable to move bodies around as a drive blocker, will struggle to keep big guys from crossing his face, not enough range to protect widening rush gaps, short arms allow rushers to work around his pass mirror.”