Following another offseason in which the Falcons have more than their full allotment of draft picks and plenty of cap space to spend in free agency, they should be in an ideal position to select the best player available when they are on the clock during this year’s NFL Draft. However, there is one scenario where that method may go out the window, and it’s if they find a quarterback to their liking during the evaluation process.
That’s exactly what Diante Lee has the Falcons doing in his latest mock draft for The Athletic.Â
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
If we’re judging picks in accordance with a prospect’s raw grades, Daniels — in spite of his video-game numbers and Heisman Trophy — would be a bit of a reach here. Still, he led all college quarterbacks in expected points added (EPA) per dropback and on scrambles. His decision-making improved in 2023, and he worked through progressions much better, even when he wasn’t throwing it deep to Brian Thomas Jr. or Nabers.
I think he needs a season to iron out some kinks, but it would be a worthwhile investment for Atlanta.
I’ve said it probably a million times already, and I’ll probably say it one million more times between now and the NFL Draft, but the ideal scenario for the Falcons this offseason would be landing one of the top three quarterbacks in this class — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels — without having to move up at all.
How feasible that might be is an entirely different story. I firmly believe the top three picks in this year’s draft will be quarterbacks, leaving the Falcons with options like JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr, and Bo Nix. They probably shouldn’t be in play for the Falcons at eight, but according to Lee, he feels Daniels at eight is even a bit of a reach.
Daniels is coming off a historic season at LSU, much like Joe Burrow a few years earlier, in which he won the Heisman Trophy. He rushed for over 1,000 yards on the ground while adding nearly 4,000 more through the air with 40 touchdowns to only four interceptions.
Daniels’ athleticism and ability to make plays with his feet will immediately draw comparisons to Lamar Jackson. However, he’s a far better passer than Jackson ever was at the collegiate level. Daniels possesses the best deep ball in this year’s draft class, able to attack the field vertically with incredible accuracy. It was on display all season at LSU, but perhaps the most exciting aspect of him as a prospect is his progression from his junior to senior season.
This time last year, Daniels was probably viewed as a Day 2 or 3 draft pick, but his improvements as a passer in such a short time are a testament to his work ethic. He’s as physically gifted as just about any quarterback to enter the league, but it’s his understanding of the mental side of the game that should allow him to thrive at the next level. Perhaps Daniels does need a year to learn before being thrust into action at the next level, but there’s nothing wrong with that, especially for a team like the Falcons that can afford to take things slowly with him.
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Photographer: John Korduner/Icon Sportswire
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