The Falcons could be looking at a fourth straight top 10 draft pick depending on how the final two games shake out, but one thing is clear about Atlanta’s offseason, it will be centered around finding a quarterback.
Desmond Ridder was benched for the second time this season following Atlanta’s embarrassing loss to the Panthers. In his second stint as the starter, Taylor Heinicke once again propelled Arthur Smith’s offense to an impressive showing.
With two games left, Heinicke might be playing for a spot on the 53-man roster in 2024, but he’s certainly not competing for the starting role. It doesn’t matter what he does against the Bears and Saints, his ceiling is as a backup in Atlanta.
There are a couple of avenues that the Falcons could choose — free agency, trade, and the NFL draft. The first two aren’t exactly robust with options. Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson seem to be the top free agents, and Justin Fields looks like the only worthwhile quarterback that will be traded this offseason.
Most Falcons fans want the club to find a signal caller in the draft, and how could you blame them? A rookie quarterback contract is the most valuable thing in football, and this class seemingly has three franchise-caliber prospects in Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is the most attainable but will still likely require the Falcons to move up from their current draft position. Regardless, for a potential franchise quarterback, a couple of first-round picks is a small price to pay.
With all of that being said, that’s not where Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports has Terry Fontenot going in his latest mock draft. He has the Falcons selecting their fourth skill position player in a row, passing over Brock Bowers in favor of LSU’s Brian Thomas.
The Falcons will, of course, have to figure out who is helming the quarterback position in 2024 (and beyond). But I think they choose to go the veteran route (Ryan Tannehill, Kirk Cousins, perhaps Jacoby Brissett?) to drop in with their young weapons and vastly improved defense (a pass rusher would be great, something the Falcons have needed since, like, forever).
While I know plenty of fantasy players and lovers of running jokes into the ground (usually the same people) will be screaming about giving Arthur Smith another highly drafted offensive weapon, Thomas would fit in perfectly with what the Falcons currently have. Thomas has great size (listed 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds) and is a very good athlete and fluid mover despite his frame. He can take the top off defenses but he is not a vertical-only stiff. His route running improved throughout the year and he started to show more branches to his route tree, with the bend and footwork of a much smaller player. He consistently wins on breaking routes from the outside, with the hands to finish the play. Thomas already shows the makings of a true X receiver at the next level, and should get only better.
Thomas is going to continue to rise up draft boards in a loaded wide receiver class, but he is worthy of the hype. I’m a huge fan and he would be a fantastic running mate with Drake London, with both having size and yards-after-the-catch ability (London’s being more power-based and Thomas being speed), but with Thomas being able to create space where London (and Kyle Pitts) could thrive.
Tice has Bowers going right after the Falcons’ selection, which would drive a lot of Georgia fans crazy, but it would be even worse than they think because Tice has him going to New Orleans.
I love Brian Thomas, and I’m an LSU fan, so I’ll make no bones about any Tiger coming to Atlanta. With that being said, not drafting Brock Bowers at the 10th pick would be a fireable offense. He’s the best tight end prospect to ever come out of college, and the Falcons already made Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted tight end in history.
Arthur Smith loves his tight ends, and adding Bowers to a room with Pitts would have defensive coordinators’ heads spinning. I don’t care about your fantasy football jokes about Smith not getting his top 10 draft picks the ball. I still believe most of Atlanta’s offensive shortcomings were tied to Desmond Ridder more so than the head coach.
Even still, if the Falcons don’t trade up for Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or Caleb Williams in this draft, I’ll consider it a failure.
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