Everyone knows the Falcons are going to be in the market for a quarterback this offseason. It’s just a question of who will they target.
The options might not be as plentiful as a lot of fans once thought, though. With a few weeks left in the regular season, it seemed possible the Falcons could trade up to one of the first three selections to draft one of the top quarterbacks, but it looks like they won’t have that opportunity.
If Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris don’t believe J.J. McCarthy is the answer at No. 8, the Falcons will have to turn to the free agent and trade markets to fill the void.
Additionally, Steve Wyche said on his podcast NFL Report that he doesn’t see the Falcons going after Justin Fields. Now, that feeling could change, but Wyche is as plugged in as any national pundit.
So, if the Falcons can’t find a quarterback they love in the draft and don’t see the fit with Fields, free agency may be the only avenue. Unfortunately, the Falcons may not have a ton of options if Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield sign new deals with their respective teams. The outlook might look quite dim if that happens.
A silver lining in the Falcons not finding their franchise quarterback in the draft is the possibility of adding another blue chip prospect. If you look at the non-quarterback mock drafts, the Falcons are landing premier talents.
Gennaro Filice, NFL
CB Terrion Arnold; Filice’s analysis: “Having originally arrived at Alabama as a five-star safety recruit, Arnold’s still relatively new to the cornerback position, but he checks all of the trait boxes with size, speed, physicality and ball skills. Now he just needs a little polish. Who better to provide that than new Falcons head man Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, two coaches with a wealth of experience developing cover men?”
Josh Edwards, CBS
EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama; Edwards’ analysis: “Dallas Turner may not be the most well-rounded edge rusher prospect right now but he is a young player who is still developing. Atlanta has lacked a pass rusher capable of drawing the opponent’s attention, but the hope is that Turner changes that narrative.”
Chris Trapasso, CBS
WR Malik Nabers, LSU; Trapasso’s analysis: “The Falcons go offensive skill-position inside the Top 10 for the fourth time with the dynamic wideout from LSU.”
Trevor Sikkema, PFF
EDGE Dallas Turner; Sikkema’s analysis: “Bears receive: A 2024 third-round pick (No. 74), a 2025 third-round pick. Falcons receive: Justin Fields.
The Falcons will be one of a handful of teams that will try to get aggressive to move up for one of the top quarterbacks in this draft. But such a trade will be done before we get to draft weekend.
If they miss out on that chance, Fields remains a solid option. Some might think this price is too low, but I believe the hype and price of a top-50 (or even first-round pick) out there is more fan-driven than league-driven.
If they already have a quarterback option in hand, look for Raheem Morris to get his defense a premier athletic pass-rusher. Turner isn’t the polished prospect Will Anderson Jr. was coming out last year, but his speed and flexibility are the best in this class.”
That doesn’t even include other prospects like Rome Odunze, Brock Bowers, Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu, and others.
The idea of adding someone like Odunze, Bowers, or Nabers to a skill group of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts with Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, etc. under center is tantalizing.
Of course, the Falcons should prioritize finding a franchise quarterback in the draft, but it may not come to fruition like we all hope.
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Photographer: John Korduner/Icon Sportswire
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