The fourth global draft, in the hands of the Atlanta Falcons, could become key in the order of selections; here we look at the scenarios
The picture is getting clearer. For months, Jacksonville Jaguars they are fixated on concept projections. Apparently the same has happened with New York JetsThen the San Francisco 49ers They traded in to advance to third place overall, and you don’t unless there’s a player you know you want.
All this leaves a very interesting scenario Atlanta FalconsIt’s not necessarily a good thing. It is by no means a bad thing. Just… interesting, because it is leaving the new general manager Terry Fontenot, and the new head coach Arthur Smith, with options for its first design that include the Falcons
Work under the premise that San Francisco o go Jets don’t surprise everyone with an ace up hand, the first three teams should be quarterback, quarterback, quarterback, hoping that Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson be the first two.
The plot starts from the fourth worldwide turn. There are some alternatives to it Falcons
Select a quarterback
As a general manager and coach you don’t often want to pick within the Top-5. If that happens, you probably won’t hold that position for long. So while Atlanta if you’re here, investing in a quarterback would be one of the most obvious ways.
The way in which Atlanta dealing with this situation may depend on the players available at the time. If a quarterback who the team considers to be one of the top five players this year is still around – and at least two from the group of Trey Lance Justin Fields and Mac Jones will be available – so it makes sense to go with a hair clip.
However, here are some details. Apart from an injury Matt Ryan, a quarterback would not play in 2021. It would be very unlikely that the quarterback will continue to play in 2022, although according to the roster management system, Atlanta would save $ 23.75 million in space below the salary cap in the event that he is designated a 1 June after June 1 (while still paying $ 24,921,500 in dead money).
So yes Atlanta to consider Ryan, almost 36 years old, if the player who has to build up for the next three years then a quarterback would be pointless because almost half of the player’s rookie contract would be behind Ryan
There are two reasons for hiring a quarterback here: Your plan is to go without Ryan sometime in the near future after 2021, or do you think the player is so important that he will be your passer for the next ten years RyanIf none of these things are true, it is better to pick an elite talent in a different position and select a quarterback later, with the potential to develop in the future.
Atlanta currently has a quarterback on the roster –Ryan– so the Falcons they need someone there. Depending on who it is, a lot can be determined about the short and long term of the franchise. It’s the first really great decision for that Fontenot and Smith, and one that could define your boot commands.
Select offensive lineman Penei Sewell from Oregon
The question here may be how they look Falcons a SewellHe’s six feet tall, weighs 325 pounds and has tackle experience, so that would be his logical position. Although it would be surprising to see him as a guard – the Falcons they already have Jake Matthews and Caleb McGary like tackles – so guard can be a short term fix. It would be an exaggeration to hire a player you consider to be a longtime guard at number 4 worldwide – the last guard to be chosen in the Top-10 was Quenton Nelson to the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 – but if the bet on Sewell is as long-term gear, it could be worth the investment.
McGary is under contract until 2022 and Matthews until 2023, that is Sewell could spend a year indoors before moving abroad as neither player has guaranteed money left on their contracts just in case Atlanta take this route. And making a tackle in the Top 5 is not uncommon; the New York Giants they did that last year Andrew Thomas at number 4.
But Sewell would be an improvement for the offensive line in case Atlanta you select him and he can provide a blind side guard for the next decade, for whoever plays quarterback for the FalconsIt won’t be an exciting choice, but it can be safe with a high floor and high ceiling. Sewell He is an elite prospect.
Select sleek Kyle Pitts from Florida
It may seem high to have a tight ending at number 4; has never happened in the era of Super BowlOnly twice has a tight ending left in the Top-5: the member of the Hall of Fame Mike Ditka, in 1961 and the four times selected to Pro Come on Riley Odoms, in 1972. They both went to number 5.
Having said that, Pitts is another player and the NFL he has evolved offensively to where rigid targets become more and more valuable in his infractions. PittsThe 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, ran an unofficial time of 4.44 seconds on the 40 yards, jumped 33 1/2 inches in the vertical jump, and counted 22 reps in the bench press, during the pro day of FloridaHe is no longer what a tight ending was. It’s what could be a tight ending in the future.
“He’s a different bird than a traditional tight end has been,” said the Los Angeles head coach. Detroit Lions Dan Campbell, former tight end of the NFL“Or especially if I was playing.”
He is also young, which in theory means there is more room to grow in the future. Only in October it turns 21 and every year it increases its production by Florida (Although in 2020 he had fewer receptions in a season disrupted by COVID-19). In less than three full seasons, he became the all-time leader in receiving yards for a tight finish (1,492) and second in receptions (100).
Tight end is a difficult position in terms of the transition from collegiate to NFLeven for first-round or Top-10 recruits. But construction template Atlanta should help here too. Hayden Hurst is in the last year of his contract (though Atlanta can also validate your option in the fifth year of the contract) and Lee Smith It corresponded to a season. Among wide receivers, Calvin Ridley is in contract year (although, as with Hurst Atlanta has an option in the fifth year of the contract) and Julius Jones is under contract until 2023.
Place the Pitts in a group of receivers next to Jones Ridley and Hurst it could be a nightmare for the opponent’s defense in the coming seasons.
Redeem to descend on the order
This goes back to quarterbacks. If there are teams –Carolina Panthers Denver Broncos New England Patriots and the Washington football team are candidates – desperate for one of the remaining passers-by, Fontenot he could get out of position and lower the order for future design capital. A willing partner is required for the exchange to take place, but it probably is Atlanta have options.
Given the plow’s condition, it wouldn’t be the worst move if it were to materialize. Switching the order also opens up more realistic options for taking on a defensive player: the linebacker. Micah Parsons can be available on turn # 8 or 9, for example, and the defending lineman Payment receipts o el linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah they may be available thereafter. The corner backs Caleb Farley and Patrick Surtain II can also be part of the conversation, depending on how far it goes AtlantaAnd there may be other players involved as well, as a number of defenders are expected to be called up from the podium in the middle of the first round.
Atlanta has 20 players under contract by 2022, although that number could grow if options are validated for the fifth year Hurst and Ridley, and the defense needs new, young talent. While defensive players are not the elite of the elite in this year’s draft, explosive players are available, and Fontenot You can reverse the fourth global shift to get more choices to help rebuild rosters in the long run. That might be the best way around Atlanta, if the team isn’t in love with any of the quarterbacks.