Atlanta Falcons: Road to the No. 3 pick in 2021 NFL Draft

The road to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft for the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are set up nicely after Week 16’s results- including their own 17-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs– as far as draft standings are concerned.

The Falcons moved up to No. 4 in the Tankathon 2021 NFL Draft order following Sunday’s results and they’ve got a major chance to cement their status as a top-five pick in this coming spring’s draft with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to end the season.

The franchise will have their eyes gazed upon many matchups this Sunday as they could technically pick anywhere from No. 3 to No. 11 in the draft depending on how things play out during the final week of the 2020 season.

So, what does the road to the No. 3 overall pick look like for this franchise?

It all starts with an Atlanta Falcons loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to close out the season

There’s no possible way to end up with the No. 3 overall pick if the Falcons win their final game. It all has to start with a loss.

If the Falcons lose to the Bucs, that’s where things get interesting. The Jaguars (No. 1) and the Jets (No. 2) are cemented in their top two spots, but the rest of the draft standings are fluid.

You’ve got four teams all with four wins: The Falcons, Texans (Miami actually has their pick), Bengals and Eagles. The Bengals and Eagles are both below the Falcons and Texans (Miami’s pick) because they have a tie on the season. They’re both 4-10-1 overall while Atlanta and Houston are 4-11.

So, what’s the easiest path to the Falcons coming away with that coveted No. 3 overall pick? We need Deshaun Watson and that Houston Texans team to come away with a home victory over the Tennessee Titans.

If the Texans beat the Titans, they’ll finish the year with a 5-11 overall record and the Falcons would hold the No. 3 spot (with a loss) without question no matter what happens with Cincinnati or Philadelphia.

Other Draft Scenarios:

• If the Falcons and Texans both lose, the Falcons would get the No. 4 overall pick.
• If the Falcons win, the franchise could be clumped with a group of 5-11 teams (depending on their finishes to the season) that could result in them picking anywhere from No. 5 to No. 11 overall.

The easiest path? Lose and you lock up at least the No. 4 overall pick. Win and you could be in trouble.

The Falcons will take on the Buccaneers this Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. E.T. on FOX in Raymond James Stadium.