Atlanta Falcons Draft Georgia Quarterback First Overall, Sparking City-Wide Celebration

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons selected Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft Thursday night, ending a decade-long search for a franchise quarterback.

Beck, who won the Heisman Trophy this season after throwing for 4,177 yards and 36 touchdowns with just four interceptions, becomes the first Georgia quarterback taken first overall since Matthew Stafford in 2009.

"This is the guy," Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot said. "He has the arm, the intelligence, the leadership, and the toughness to be a franchise quarterback in this league for a long time."

The selection was met with jubilation in Atlanta, where fans had been waiting for a true franchise quarterback since Matt Ryan's departure.