Who will the Atlanta Falcons take in the NFL Draft?
The first question mark in tomorrow's NFL Draft comes with the fourth pick. The Jaguars, Jets, and 49ers look set to take QB's, but who will Atlanta select?
The top three picks of the NFL Draft, are everything but set in stone. At least, the experts are projecting few surprises with opening selections in Thursday’s first round. But what will the Atlanta Falcons do after the 49ers go quarterback at No. 3?
With the fourth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft the Atlanta Falcons select… Maybe they already know, maybe they are still spinning circles around the possibilities presented. Like any good running back, they have been playing it close to the chest.
QB's projected to go top three
Trevor Lawerence, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones are the three expected to be taken off the board to open tomorrow’s selection show. Jones could be the only one of the three that might still be up in the air up come tomorrow 8 pm ET.
The Falcons haven’t been too boisterous about their intentions with their top five pick. The obvious play for Terry Fontenot would be going after Tight End sensation Kyle Pitts.
Atlanta is in the market for a tight end, and historically they are a team that has that bases a heavy set of their offensive through the pass catching big men. Think of Tony Gonzalez and Alge Crumpler.
There are people around the league that consider the former Florida Gator the top talent in the draft, Trevor Lawrence included. The 6’5”, 245 pound TE ran a 4.44 40 yard dash, and may have the softest hands in the draft.
Is Kyle Pitts the top talent in the draft?
At Gainesville last year, Pitts led NCAA tight ends in receiving yards with 770, averaging over 95 yards a game. He has a mix of big play potential, and shiftiness to pinch inside and play the slot creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
If Atlanta takes him, he would be the first tight end to go top five in draft history.
If the Falcons opt out of filling their needs for a tight end, it would be hard to imagine them passing on Patrick Surtain II. Alabama’s top secondary man last year was had 38 tackles, 12 break ups, and one interception in 13 games.
Falcon's future could be with Surtain II
The son of Pro Bowl corner Patrick Surtain, his size, talent and pedigree is what skyrockets him to the top of the board. He has been a winner everywhere he has gone. Aside from winning the National Championship, Surtain II was named an All American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
His durability has also been applauded. The former Crimson Tide corner started the last 38 games for Alabama.
Could Atlanta take a QB with fourth overall pick
The NFL Draft has taught us to expect the unexpected. There are sure to be a couple projected first round quarterbacks still on the board when Atlanta is on the clock. Matt Ryan is growing older by the day, and if the Falcons fancy, they may look towards the future with their fourth overall pick.
One way or another who the Falcons take with their first round selection with have a domino effect down the rest of the draft board. Pitts seem like the logical pick for the boys from the peach state, but we won’t know for sure until tomorrow night.