This 2021 NFL Draft is especially top-heavy at the quarterback position, with three players, Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields and BYU’s Zach Wilson, projected to go in the top five.
Most teams picking that high in the draft would be thrilled about the prospect of landing a potential franchise QB. However, the Atlanta Falcons have Matt Ryan under contract, and a rookie signal-caller surely won’t solve the team’s problems in 2021.
Having Ryan doesn’t mean the Falcons won’t still grab one of the three blue-chip quarterback prospects they’re likely to have a shot at with their first-round selection, though. In Draft Wire’s latest mock draft, Luke Easterling has Atlanta picking Zach Wilson with the No. 4 overall pick.
Prior to the year, Wilson wasn’t considered to be in the same class as Lawrence or Fields. In 2019, he threw for just 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. This season, Wilson threw for 33 touchdowns, 3,692 yards and just three picks, while completing 73.5 percent of his passes.
Check out this highlight video of Wilson playing against Boise State earlier this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uab8plGdqMI
Easterling’s draft extends to the second round, where the Falcons again find a pass rusher that could step in right away. Miami’s Jaelan Phillips is the pick for Atlanta at No. 35 overall.
In 2020, Phillips racked up 45 tackles (21 solo), eight sacks, three passes defended and one interception. Check out some footage of Phillips going up against Virginia Tech below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WilIPXkEvWM
There’s still one game remaining, though, which could alter the 2021 draft order. The Falcons won’t be falling out of the top ten, but even if the pick drops down one or two spots, it could affect whether or not the team takes a quarterback in the first round.
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