Falcons fans find themselves amid a storm of rumors and reports as the NFL world anticipates Atlanta acquiring a quarterback this offseason.
It is smokescreen season, so dissecting the reports and rumors is important to distinguish fact from fiction. Over the weekend, there was a wave of new information provided.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that he would be surprised if the Falcons traded for Justin Fields.
“There’s been a lot of speculation on Atlanta,” Schefter said. “I think Atlanta will be something of a surprise right now to trade for Justin Fields. There’s been some conversation about the Pittsburgh Steelers, maybe something can be figured out there.”
Diana Russini of The Athletic said that the Falcons believe signing Kirk Cousins turns them from a fringe playoff team to a contender.
“Over the next month, I’m keeping an eye on the Falcons. They believe Cousins is the type of player who moves them from a fringe playoff team to a contender. New Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson both have familiarity with Cousin,” Russini said.
Dan Graziano of ESPN reported that the Falcons have Cousins, not Fields, as their top quarterback solution.
“Should that happen, I expect the Falcons to make a strong pursuit. I have been told by multiple sources this week that signing Cousins — not trading for Justin Fields — is the Falcons’ top QB solution, assuming Cousins makes it to free agency,” Graziano said.
On the draft side of things, the Falcons may have Jayden Daniels as their top option, according to Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated.
“The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has been consistently slotted behind USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye by analysts, but the Falcons – or at least some evaluators on staff – side with Daniels,” Flick wrote.
The UNC product, who many expect to go second overall to the Commanders, may not have as many suitors as initially thought. Josh Kendall of The Athletic has sources that say Maye’s stock has dropped, and he may end up being the fourth quarterback taken.
“From the beginning of the season, Maye was considered one of the top two quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class along with USC’s Caleb Williams, but Maye’s stock has dropped of late and he could be the fourth quarterback taken in this draft, according to a league source.”
Could Drake Maye actually fall to the Falcons in the draft?
I’m not sure. I would be hesitant to get your hopes up because Maye is still firmly among the best quarterback prospects in the class. In my estimation, he’s the second best signal caller that will be available. If he somehow falls, the Falcons have to be overjoyed.
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Photographer: David Jensen/Icon Sportswire
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