ATLANTA — When was the last time anyone could say the Atlanta Falcons are in the proverbial “driver’s seat” for the NFL draft?
Anyone who’s read a mock draft or followed what’s projected to happen April 29 when the first round begins knows most experts say the draft will really start when it’s time for the Falcons to use No. 4 pick.
The 2021 NFL Draft runs from Thursday April 29 through Saturday May 1. You can watch the draft LIVE as it happens on Channel 2.
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It’s pretty much a given that Cartersville High and Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence will be the pick for Jacksonville at No. 1. The Jets are expected to take BYU’s Zach Wilson at No. 2.
San Francisco is expected take one of the remaining headline QBs at No. 3: either Alabama’s Mac Jones, Cobb County native and Ohio State’s Justin Fields or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance.
That leaves the Falcons in a great position to determine if the first round becomes a QB draft or if some other players start coming off the board.
Do they take one of the QB’s NOT drafted by San Francisco? Do they draft Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, arguably the best non-QB in the draft? They could also take Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell, the highest rated lineman on the board.
Or do they trade the pick for more picks later in the draft? It leaves new GM Terry Fontenot and Coach Arthur Smith with a lot to discuss ahead of Thursday’s first round.
Here are a few factors to consider when it comes to which direction the team goes:
- Do they draft a QB? Matt Ryan is not getting any younger and has taken a ton of punishment the past few seasons. He’s also owed a ton of money, including money that was deferred this season to cover the final two seasons of his contract. He’s also the only QB on the roster right now. Do they draft a potential successor?
- Do they draft Pitts, who most scouts say could be the best athlete and player in the entire draft? At 6-6, 240-plus pounds and faster than most defensive backs, he could easily slide in with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Hayden Hurst and others giving the Falcons arguably the most dangerous receiving corps in the NFL.
- Or do they draft Sewell, a massive tackle who could easily be the rock on the offensive line for the next decade protecting Ryan or anyone else who plays QB?
- There is always the option of drafting a defensive player. While many of the draft experts don’t believe this is a banner year for defense, cornerback like Patrick Surtain III of Alabama or a pass rusher certainly are needs for the Falcons.
- Of course it all could change, if say Denver or Dallas or another team wants to offer a bunch of picks or players to move up to No. 4 in the draft. A team like Atlanta with needs on both sides of the ball, a need to get younger and lower the payroll could easily go this route and look towards the future.
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The good news for the Falcons is any of these first round options could really help the team improve in 2021. Three of them offer the possibility of a potential “franchise” player and another gives them a chance to rebuild the roster.
With eight more picks currently available, it gives the new management team a chance to start the task of rebuilding the Falcons who were 4-12 in 2020.
