It isn’t a question of if the Falcons are going to be in the market for a quarterback. The question is who and how many quarterbacks do they add?
Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris could completely overhaul the position. The Falcons could part ways with Taylor Heinicke and save $7 million against the cap; that has to pique their interest.
Moreover, Ian Rapoport said that a Desmond Ridder trade is also an option over the weekend. I could see both outcomes with the former third-round pick making sense for the Falcons. Keeping Ridder as a backup is a feasible strategy. He’s on a cheap contract and possesses the necessary qualities to be successful in that role.
On the other hand, if the Falcons double dip in the quarterback market this offseason, there’s no need for three quarterbacks on the roster. An amicable split and a new start could be what’s best for both sides.
Regardless, the Falcons have an important offseason ahead of them, and every option is on the table for Fontenot and Morris in their search for a franchise quarterback, says Arthur Blank — free agency, the trade market, and the draft.
Referring to the QB situation. pic.twitter.com/TdikSK9pZz
— Coach RB (@pacnwfalcon) February 10, 2024
With their full allotment of draft capital, including the 8th overall pick, and what could be as much as $45 million in cap space, the Falcons have more than enough capital to acquire any quarterback that becomes available.
Justin Fields has been a popular hypothetical. He possesses enough upside to intrigue the team in the long term, but his lack of development and skeptical fit in Zac Robinson’s offense present potential roadblocks to a trade.
Kirk Cousins doesn’t offer that long-term viability but would make the Falcons most competitive in the short term. Moreover, his readily available via free agency and fits Atlanta’s system much better than the younger, more dynamic Fields.
Baker Mayfield is almost the best of both worlds. A free agent that is young enough to offer some upside but a veteran that can help the team compete immediately. His familiarity with Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson from their time in Los Angeles could also play a part in this one.
The draft features tiers of prospects that go from unattainable to easily attainable. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye fall in that first category. Most would be shocked if the Bears and the Commanders don’t take them with the first two picks.
Jayden Daniels seems likely to go to the Patriots with the 3rd pick, but there was a report over the weekend that stated New England could auction off the selection and go the free agent route at the position. If that’s the case, the Falcons have a path to acquire a blue chip prospect.
In a tier by himself, J.J. McCarthy is expected to be there at the Falcons’ 8th pick and might be the best schematic fit among prospects who will be available in the draft.
Then, there are the lottery tickets of Michael Penix, Bo Nix, and Spencer Rattler. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to draft one of them on Day 2 or Day 3 because taking more shots is what the Falcons need to be doing. However, it can’t be the only attempt.
There are even more options out there that could potentially emerge as the offseason progresses. The point is the Falcons need to have all of their cards on the table by the start of the season.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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