It is draft season, and Falcons fans are up in arms over the most recent mock by draft pundit Todd McShay. In his latest piece on ESPN, he has the Falcons trading back into the first round and selecting former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral with the 29th overall pick.
Here’s what McShay had to say about Corral and the trade:
MOCK TRADE: Atlanta jumps for another first-round pick
With four picks left in Round 1, only two quarterbacks have been selected. That means teams could be eyeing a move to grab one and secure the fifth-year option as they develop him. The Falcons — who drafted receiver Drake London earlier — take the leap here, sending one of their second-rounders (No. 43), a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder to the Dolphins for the No. 29 slot. Miami, which originally acquired this pick from the 49ers as part of last year’s trade involving San Francisco’s eventual selection of Trey Lance, can still find offensive line help early in the second round. Look for the Dolphins to consider Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann or Washington State’s Abraham Lucas on Day 2. As for Atlanta …
29. Atlanta Falcons (via mock trade with MIA/SF)
Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Quarterback Matt Ryan has two years left on his deal, but the Falcons could get out of his contract with a much lighter dead-cap hit next offseason ($15.6 million). In the meantime, why not draft a quarterback with upside and let him learn from Ryan for a full season? Corral didn’t workout at the combine as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained in Ole Miss’ bowl game, but he brings a quick release, a good arm and plenty of mobility to the table. Atlanta’s passing game needs a total revamp, and this pick could be a home run if Corral takes the next step under Ryan’s tutelage.
Corral has already met with the Falcons and is surely in their crosshairs. Whether they give him a first-round grade or not is unknown, but after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore, he’s definitely earned the right to be mentioned with the top quarterbacks in this class. Unfortunately, a leg injury he suffered during Ole Miss’ Sugar Bowl may result in him sliding down draft boards.
As McShay references, he has the Falcons selecting Drake London with the 8th pick. Here’s what he had to say about the former USC wideout:
Eight Falcons players caught at least 10 passes last season, but only two of them — tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Mike Davis — are expected to be in uniform for Atlanta in 2022, after receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended on Monday for betting on games. A team has used top-10 picks on pass-catchers in back-to-back drafts three times since 1967, but there might not be another team in the NFL more in need of a top-tier receiver right now. London plays outside and in the slot, threatens vertically and can make plays over the middle. He played in only eight games last season (right ankle fracture), but he had at least 130 receiving yards in six of them.
The Falcons obviously have a glaring need at the position in the wake of the Calvin Ridley suspension, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlanta grabbed a few prospects at the position come draft time. London is one of those receivers that can do it all and become the WR1 the Falcons have been missing since Julio Jones was dealt to the Titans.
You must log in to post a comment.