Shortly after the Falcons traded up to get Matthew Bergeron at pick 38 on Friday night, the Arizona Cardinals selected Garrett Williams with the 72nd pick in the NFL draft.

The selection gave Syracuse two top-75 picks for the first time since 2001, while Bergeron was the highest pick for the Orange since Justin Pugh went 19th overall in 2013.

Williams’ selection continues a recent string of success for Syracuse defensive backs. Four of the team’s week one starters from the 2020 season – Williams’ first collegiate start – are now in the NFL, with Andre Cisco (Jaguars), Ifeatu Melifonwu (Lions) and Trill Williams (Dolphins), all coming out for the 2021 NFL draft.

Bergeron is the second Orange alum that the Falcons have selected in the last four years, as Sterling Hofrichter was taken by the team in 2020. He was a two-time All-ACC selection at Syracuse, finishing his career with 39 starts at offensive tackle. A team captain in 2022, he was a second team All-ACC honoree.

Bergeron was invited to the Senior Bowl after this past season where, according to Pro Football Focus, was the third-highest overall grade among tackles and fourth among offensive linemen regardless of position in the ACC this season. He was penalized three times and allowed just five sacks in 686 snaps this season. He and the offensive line helped pave the way for Sean Tucker to rush to another 1,000-yard season and become the first player in program history to post back-to-back seasons with 1,000-plus rushing yards and 250-plus receiving yards

Williams is the Cardinals first selection of a Syracuse player since 1990, however the franchise has signed a bevvy of Orange alums to free agent deals recently. Koda Martin, Justin Pugh, Nolan Cooney and Chandler Jones have all been on the team’s roster in the last two years. He had his redshirt sophomore season cut short due to injury after just six games, but still earned All-ACC honors this year, making him a three-time all-conference selection in his career. He led the ACC in pass breakups in both 2020 and 2021.

Mikel Jones (LA Chargers), Andre Szmyt (Chicago Bears) and Sean Tucker (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) all signed contracts with clubs on Saturday night following the NFL draft.