After the San Francisco 49ers traded up to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, it became clear that quarterbacks are going to be selected with each of this year’s first three selections.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to take Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence at No. 1, while BYU’s Zach Wilson is the emerging favorite to at No. 2 to the New York Jets. At No. 3, the 49ers would then have their pick between Ohio State’s Justin Fields and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, while Alabama’s Mac Jones could be the surprise pick.
No matter who the 49ers take, the Atlanta Falcons will end up in an enviable position at No. 4 overall. Should they not wish to take one of the remaining quarterbacks for themselves, they could hold a bidding war for the pick, eliciting offers from other quarterback-needy teams picking later in the first round.
It appears the Falcons are indeed fielding offers for the pick already, and are willing to make a move, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
With teams locked into the first three overall picks, the Atlanta Falcons now have received trade calls from multiple teams and “are open to moving” out of the No. 4 spot, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2021
If the Falcons don’t want to go quarterback, Florida pass-catcher Kyle Pitts would be a worthy selection if they stick and pick at No. 4. As talented as Pitts is, though, it could easily be the best route for the Falcons to take a big package of additional picks to move down. With so many teams moving up for quarterbacks, there’s still likely to be plenty of talented prospects at positions of need for the Falcons to pick from later in the first round.
In terms of teams that could be calling the Falcons looking to move up to No. 4, the Denver Broncos (No. 9 overall), New England Patriots (No. 15 overall), Washington Football Team (No. 19 overall) and Chicago Bears (No. 20 overall) would all make sense.
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