The Falcons are open to all options with respect to their No. 4 overall pick, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (video link). The teams holding the first three picks in the draft — the Jaguars, Jets, and 49ers — are going to select quarterbacks, so the Falcons are the first club that could go with a non-QB or trade down. As such, there has been plenty of speculation about what Atlanta might do.
Our own Sam Robinson nicely recapped all of the reports regarding the No. 4 pick in a recent PFR poll (most of our readers presently think that the Falcons will keep their pick and select Florida TE Kyle Pitts, while a smaller but still significant contingent thinks Atlanta will trade down). Essentially, while new GM Terry Fontenot and new HC Arthur Smith were previously said to be split on what do to with the selection — Fontenot wanted to use it on a QB, while Smith wanted to use it on a player who would make more of an immediate impact — the club’s top power brokers are now reportedly in lockstep.
But that could just mean that they are in agreement on the QB vs. non-QB issue. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they have decided which prospect, quarterback or otherwise, they want to select — though some league sources believe the club is targeting Pitts — and if another team puts together an enticing trade package, a move down the board remains on the table.
In the meantime, the Falcons continue to do their due diligence on the quarterbacks that could be available. They will have reps at Trey Lance‘s Pro Day tomorrow, and they had eyes on Lance at his first showcase as well. They were also in attendance at both of Justin Fields‘ Pro Days, and if nothing else, the idea that they are seriously considering one of those two passers will only help their asking price in trade talks. As Fowler notes, Atlanta could certainly use some additional draft capital to shore up its defense.
Fowler confirms previous reports that the Broncos — whose hunt for a QB upgrade has been well-documented — could be looking to move up from No. 9 to No. 4, while Atlanta’s division rivals, the Panthers, might be another team looking to trade down now that they have landed Sam Darnold.
Sewell should be the pick if they stay at #4.
Invest in the oline
Lt Sewell, shift Matthews over to RT, move McGary inside to guard.
I beg to differ, in a draft class loaded with OL prospects it makes way more sense to use a Day 2 pick on one and then either draft Fields/Lance with #4 or trade down and load up on draft assets. Since they restructured Ryan’s contract to make it tough to get rid of him for 2 seasons I’d suggest they trade down with a QB needy team to load up on picks and then try to fill all the holes they have.
Why waste the #4 pick on a quarterback when it’s literally the only position they don’t need?
Atlanta doesn’t need to draft a QB, Rooted. They need defense, and badly. I’d trade down to a spot I could still get a defender I like, add one or two future firsts, and keep focusing on defensive talent.
They could use O-line, but I’d look at that in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Agree. Trade down and draft Surtain or Paye or Parsons. Get a few other high selections. Go OL in round 2.
Matt Ryan is still a top 10 qb who’s shown no sign of slowing down yet. I’d guess he still has 3 or more good years left. Unless they can trade him, taking a QB here who quite possibly will not be as good as Ryan would be a mistake in my eyes. Sewell is the pick for me or a trade down.
Wow – not a Falcon fan but I have a real hard time getting Matt Ryan in my top 10 …
Allen, Burrow, Herbert, Jackson , Brady , Murray , Wilson, Watson ( jury is out) , Carr , Prescott , Mahomes, Rodgers, Stafford
Possibly Cousins or Tannehill … all QBS I would want leading my team before Ryan at this stage of Ryan’s career.
Ryan likely in the 15 to 20 range for me. 5 years ago that’s a different story but for winning this year … he falls behind all of them in my opinion for quarterback play.
Take a look at last year’s QB stats. Then factor in the team he had to work with. Most yards passing, attempts and completions.
I did – still feel the same way
Seven of your picks for QB’s better than Ryan are imbecilic, at best. A bunch of scramblers that haven’t won anything, and Burrow who couldn’t stay healthy his rookie season. Just a ridiculous list. Carr?!! Insane.
I can see your point. However , having won something doesn’t really matter …how they do it , be it scrambling or passing , so be it, it’s the end result that matters. That list , if I was forming a team to win in 2021 , I would likely take everyone of those QBs before Ryan. As I said , 5 years ago he’d crack the top 10. Ryan will not win a Super Bowl again in my opinion. Again this is all my opinion , to each their own.
Furthermore .. Google 2021 QB rankings ( not fantasy either ) … I found 3 different rankings that ranked him 14, 17 and 16 …. with the likes of Goff and Tua … seems like the rankings agree .. I’m sure Ryan will compete but his upside is so limited at this point of his career.
@letmeclearmythroat: On that list, only Brady, Rodgers, Mahomes, Wilson, and Watson (who probably won’t play this year) are definitively better than Ryan.
Allen had a great year, but is it a fluke? Same question for Herbert.
Is Jackson really better? He looked mediocre at times last year and scrambling QBs don’t age well.
Prescott? Sorry, Ryan’s better and Dak is coming off a serious injury.
Carr? Nope. Ryan’s much better.
Murray? Not even close. And I say that as a fan of Murray.
Burrow will probably be great but way too early.
Stafford is a nice comp, but Ryan has been better and has won more.
The fact that you’re even putting Cousins and Tannehill in the same breath as Ryan is insane.
by the way, I’m a Giants fan with zero allegiance to the Falcons or Ryan, but Ryan is easily somewhere between the 6-8th best QB in the league.
Well, I’d take Matt Ryan over Daniel Jones , I’ll give you that. Why is Ryan ranked between 15 and 20 in QB rankings then ? That’s not me , that’s established sports sites. I respect your opinion but I completely disagree. Understand also, I am talking about 2021 … as I said in my first comment , 5 years ago it’s a different conversation. So your telling me , if you coached the Giants and you had to win this year , you’d take Ryan over Herbert, Burrow , Prescott? NO WAY … I agree with Ryan’s “ Legacy” he has had a great career , but he is not what he once was for today’s rankings in my opinion. ( and ranking sites ) and … I would take Tannehill over him at this stage of their careers. Cousins is probably a closer comp than Stafford for me … Stafford is 1 step up IMO. I follow this game pretty darn close ( not claiming to be more than anyone else on here ) and Ryan is not what he used to be. I respect your opinion but I just thing your completely wrong .. that’s all ..I guess we agree to disagree.
I might add , why are the Falcons attending all these pro days with multiple people if he’s in the top 6-8 QBs … I’m not talking about the past and if they have won or what his legacy is … that’s a different conversation … I’m talking about his ability and lack there of in 2021 … that , for me puts him around 16-18 range and that’s pushing it
I’m not advocating to take a QB … I think trade down a few spots if it’s me but I couldn’t argue them taking a QB … Tampa will walk away with that division by week 12 … if not sooner.
Matt Ryan hasn’t been a top 10 quarterback in 5 years. His fanboys make all the excuses for him but the fact remains Gardner Minshew has been better than him statistically the last 2 years.
It’s stuff like this that make me wish they had an IQ minimum to post here.
Why? His TD to INT ratio is better on the freaking Jags…take a hike fanboy.
So a td:int ratio is the end all for “statistically better”? Are we disregarding every other major stat? I guess completions, yds, ypa, ypc, ypg, etc mean nothing. huh?
smfh
I am not a Ryan fanboy either
In 2019 Jameis Winston led the NFL in passing yards. That same year Tannehill led the nfl in yards per attempt and yards per completion. If you wanna use those numbers, be my guest. Ryan is trash, he’s been that way since he lost the super bowl.
Matt still has something left in the tank, but he has been a shell of himself since Kyle Shanahan departed for San Fran. Fields sitting for two seasons would still make them competitive for years to come. Don’t miss an opportunity when Matt Shaub is the backup with no long-term replacement.
Matt Schaub retired
link to profootballrumors.com
Sewell, Pitts, or trade down a few and take Slater. Trading with the Broncos would make sense.
Trade down for extra 1’s over the next couple drafts.
I would look to trade down. Go to 9 and pick Sewell, Slater, D. Smith, Waddle, Parsons or a CB. Only Chase and Pitts will be gone for sure.
They’re fools if they don’t trade down for a haul. They’re not a Kyle Pitts or an offensive lineman away from being a contender. Load up on picks and if they’re terrible again next season draft the QB of the future. Matt Ryan is serviceable but there’s plenty of QBs I’d rather have than him. Especially at his salary.
If I was Carolina, I might try to move up to 5 or 6 if Pitts or Chase are there. Would give Darnold another toy to pair with McCaffrey.
If the falcons can’t move down and stay in the top 10, just draft Parsons or Surtain at 4. They in no way need Pitts. They’ve made their bed with Matt, they’re stuck with him this year. Next years QB class isn’t awful.
Guess the BS line of “multiple teams are interested in our pick” didn’t yield any fruit.
Maybe they’d like to trade spots with the Steelers. Steelers could throw in a 7th rounder.
Why not Najee Harris? A RB that can catch the ball. Near the top in passing and near the bottom in rushing last year.
The new GM goes best player available. He was a huge part on why the Saints have been so good.
We can all agree that ATL defense sucks and Matt Ryan and Julio Jones only have maybe 1 or 2 good years left. Even if we go defense, our defense will still suck so essentially we are wasting ryan and julio last 2 years. Go Offense/ Pitts. Our terrible defense (even if we get someone like sutton) wont be able to keep up with Bucs, Saints, Panthers offense. If we go offense, we make it a shootout every game and maximize ryan and julios window. If we go defense we are drafting in the top 10 next 3-4 years…
Looks like they don’t have a plan. That pretty much sums up the Falcons (and the Bears).