The Falcons don’t have as many options to fill their quarterback vacancy as many fans thought were going to be available coming into the offseason.
At one point, it looked plausible that Atlanta would be able to trade up to one of the draft’s top picks to land one of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels if a team like the Chargers, who already have an established quarterback, held one of those selections.
However, the first three spots are owned by franchises that are expected to draft a signal caller. The Falcons now don’t have an obvious path to one of those top three prospects, but that’s not going to stop national pundits from exploring scenarios where the impossible becomes reality.
In a piece for ESPN, NFL insider Field Yates explored the kind of packages the Bears would garner for the No. 1 overall pick, and the Falcons’ potential offer began with three first-round picks.
Yates’ trade package: No. 8 pick, 2025 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick
This deal is similar to the one Chicago received last year from Carolina, which makes sense because the Bears would be moving back to No. 8 here and moved back to No. 9 in that 2023 trade. Atlanta would be motivated by the idea that the team is a quarterback away from making a leap in the winnable NFC South. It was the NFL’s weakest division last season, with its four teams combining for 27 wins, five fewer than any other division.
If new coach Raheem Morris is lukewarm on the free agent or trade options, the Falcons could make a big plunge. Surrounding Williams with receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts could form a really exciting offense.
Some Falcons fans, including a 92.9 radio host, were turned off by the idea of giving up two first-round picks and Bijan Robinson for the No. 1 overall pick.
On https://t.co/aPdgNkvSjn this morning. A projected cost to move up…
Still want to trade with Bears for the #1 pick Falcons fans? pic.twitter.com/JtXIBCIOJ9
— Abe Gordon (@AbeGordon) February 20, 2024
Firstly, Bijan Robinson isn’t worth a first-round pick right now. Just because the Falcons spent a first-rounder on the Texas product less than a year ago doesn’t mean that’s his current value. So, including Robinson instead a third first-round pick would be preferable.
Secondly, the reluctance to secure a franchise quarterback for this fan base is astonishing. The Falcons are stuck in quarterback purgatory, getting out should be the top priority. Trading three first-rounders for Caleb Williams or Drake Maye should be a no-brainer.
First-round picks are valuable, but do you know what’s more valuable? A franchise quarterback. Want to know how I know? The Bears aren’t going to trade the selection, just like the Bengals refused to take calls before they selected Joe Burrow No. 1 overall.
The Falcons would be fools not to move mountains for the top pick, but I seriously doubt it’s even available.
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Photographer: Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire
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