Atlanta Falcons: 3 out-of-the-box first-round options

Jan 3, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Ndamukong Suh (93) pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Ndamukong Suh (93) pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeVonta Smith, an out-of-the-box draft candidate for the  Atlanta Falcons Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
DeVonta Smith, an out-of-the-box draft candidate for the  Atlanta Falcons Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Three out-of-the-box first-round options for the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have a major decision to make in just a couple of months when they enter the 2021 NFL Draft looking for some franchise-changing talent.

The Falcons have hired Terry Fontenot as their new GM and Arthur Smith as the new head coach. With those two working together, there is hope that the organization will be able to turn things around.

We’ve heard a lot about potential picks for the Atlanta Falcons like Justin Fields & Zach Wilson at quarterback, Micah Parsons at linebacker or Penei Sewell at offensive tackle, but what about some names not quite as frequently tossed around?

The truth is that the first-round pick at this point is completely up-in-the-air, but here’s a look at three out-of-the-box first-round options for the Atlanta Falcons.

DeVonta Smith

Now, you might be thinking: Why in the world would the Falcons draft a wide receiver here? On the surface, honestly, it doesn’t make much sense.

That being said, if you’re going by the ‘best player available’ strategy solely, Smith might be the top option.

If you watched what Smith did this last season at Alabama, you can see that he is a special player. DeVonta Smith has the ability to become an All-Pro level wide receiver and some believe that he has potential to reach heights we haven’t seen since Randy Moss. He’s just that explosive.

Adding an explosive piece to the offense opens up more options for Matt Ryan which, in turn, makes the job easier. It doesn’t seem like a bright pick, in my opinion, simply because of the talent the Falcons already possess at wide receiver, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be considered.