Falcons: Terry Fontenot opens up about evaluting the 2021 NFL drafts’ crop of quarterbacks

In an interview with Dave Archer, a former Falcons’ quarterback and analyst, Terry Fontenot explained his rationale for evaluating every quarterback in this year’s draft.

You have to evaluate quarterbacks for the future.

Terry Fontenot discussed evaluating the QBs in the #NFLDraft. pic.twitter.com/Sxy8osNCgA

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 13, 2021

With the first three picks all but guaranteed to be quarterbacks, the Falcons will choose between two of Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, or Mac Jones. Not only does it make sense to evaluate every prospect regardless of position, but also regardless if the team is in a position to draft that player.

Fontenot mentions Trevor Lawrence, who is the consensus best player in the draft and will be the first name called come April 29th, and how even though he won’t have a chance to draft him, going to Clemson’s pro day and evaluating him is important. The in-person exposure to seeing these quarterbacks throw isn’t only for draft night purposes but also the future. Sam Darnold is a well-timed example. He was drafted third in 2018 and was traded before his rookie contract expired. I don’t know if the Panthers went to Darnold’s pro day, given Carolina had Cam Newton, but the simple fact remains, an organization wants to be prepared across the board.

Fontenot is doing exactly that with all of this year’s quarterbacks, but he mentioned in the interview that the team was excited about Matt Ryan, attempting to keep his cards close to his chest. Fontenot continued to play cat and mouse by stating how it was a perfect opportunity to draft a quarterback with Ryan under contract, eluding to the veteran’s leadership and not forcing a premature NFL debut. It is the most critical position in the NFL, and Fontenot wants to stack quarterbacks.

—