The 2021 NFL draft kicks off tomorrow, and despite picking at No. 4 overall, the Atlanta Falcons have managed to keep their intentions under wraps. Will the team draft a new signal-caller to eventually replace Matt Ryan, or will it add a new offensive toy for Ryan to play with?
Both options seem firmly in play at this point, but don’t be surprised if Atlanta trades down to acquire more picks. With a defense in need of a talent injection and an offensive line short on depth, moving down makes a lot of sense — especially when you consider the team’s cap situation is so bad that Julio Jones may be traded just to be able to sign the rookie class.
In an ESPN feature by NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, it was reported that the Detroit Lions attempted to trade up from pick No. 7 to Atlanta’s No. 4 spot, but the Falcons wanted too much in return.
“There was chatter early in the week that the Lions tried to trade up to No. 4 to get Chase, but the Falcons’ asking price was too high,” writes Fowler.
As we’ve examined at length here at Falcons Wire, trading down makes a ton of sense, and as Fontenot said during his pre-draft press conference on Wednesday, he’s spoken to every GM in the league about a potential trade.
#Falcons GM Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith. Fontenot said he’s talked to every GM in the league and is ready to make a deal on the clock if need be. pic.twitter.com/pe0XnRn55W
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) April 28, 2021
By not committing to any player or position at pick No. 4, the Falcons are in an ideal situation for a team that needs help on both sides of the ball. The mystery ends tomorrow evening when the 2021 draft officially kicks off.
