The Atlanta Falcons will have several big decisions to make when the offseason rolls around. Once the team hires a new general manager, the focus will shift to the head coach, then to the future of quarterback Matt Ryan.
After 12 and a half seasons in Atlanta, Ryan is still among the NFL’s most productive passers. This season, he’s thrown 3,436 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions for a quarterback rating of 91.5. While nobody is suggesting the former third-overall pick out of Boston College can’t still play at a high level, the new GM may want to start from scratch.
The Falcons are likely to have a top-10 pick in the 2021 draft, which our friends over at Draft Wire believe the team will use to select a quarterback. In Luke Easterling’s latest mock draft, he has Atlanta selecting North Dakota State QB Trey Lance at pick No. 8.
Lance played in just one game this season before deciding to opt out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019 though, Lance threw for 2,786 yards, 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The dual-threat passer also added 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
Check out these highlights from Lance’s only game this season, a four-touchdown performance against Central Arkansas.
Draft Wire’s mock also projects the second round of the 2021 draft, giving the Falcons a new defensive lineman to play alongside DT Grady Jarrett and DE Dante Fowler. Pittsburgh EDGE Patrick Jones is Atlanta’s selection at pick No. 39, and there’s a lot to like.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end has 37 tackles (20 solo), nine sacks, one fumble recovery and two passes defended this season. Check out this highlight video from Jones’ game against Louisville.
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