NFL analyst has Atlanta Falcons trading back to draft RB in top-10

NFL analyst has Atlanta Falcons trading back to draft RB in top-10

The Atlanta Falcons are one of the most intriguing teams in recent memory when it comes to those holding a top-five pick in the NFL Draft.

The Falcons finished the 2020 season with a disappointing 4-12 record, but there are definitely still reasons for optimism that the franchise can turn things around a little quicker than most teams that finish with that bad of a record.

Still, NFL analysts are divided on what the Atlanta Falcons will do with their No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Will they draft their future franchise quarterback? Could they trade up to get a better look at a quarterback target? Could they take the best available defensive player or possibly an offensive lineman with the pick? Could they trade back and earn more draft capital as a result?

With so many options and so many analysts- and fans, for that matter- torn on what they should do, it makes this offseason even more intriguing.

NFL.com analyst Charley Casserly released his first mock draft for the 2021 offseason and he had something not many would expect: The Falcons trading back with the Carolina Panthers (pick No. 8) and then drafting a running back (Alabama’s Najee Harris) with the pick. He has the Panthers drafting Trey Lance with the No. 4 overall pick.

The explanation given for the Falcons by Casserly?

"“The Falcons trade back and still get their top choice — a dynamic running back whom Arthur Smith can build his offense around,” Casserly said. “I know we rarely see running backs go this early these days, but Todd Gurley is a pending free agent and Atlanta has to have a strong running game if it’s going to get back to competing for a playoff spot.”"

Atlanta Falcons would certainly set the world on fire drafting a running back in the top-10, we’re just not sure it would be in a good way

There’s nothing wrong with thinking of out-of-the-box scenarios and things of that nature, especially here in February when the draft is still two months away.

That being said, it’s not very likely that the Falcons would trade with the Panthers anyway unless Carolina was willing to give up a pretty penny to move up the four spots. Why would you give your divisional rival a look at their next franchise quarterback?

Outside of that, if the Falcons trade back inside the top-10, it’d be our full expectation that they’re looking at a defensive player- someone like CB Caleb Farley, LB Micah Parsons, EDGE Kwity Paye, EDGE Gregory Rousseau, CB Patrick Surtain II- or even TE Kyle Pitts, if still available. Perhaps you could make the argument for the Falcons drafting Mac Jones- if he moves up draft boards this spring- with a late top-10 pick if they’re sold on him over another quarterback who’s going in the top-five.

But a running back?

We’re not saying that the Falcons shouldn’t draft a Najee Harris or a Travis Etienne in the first-round. Running back is one of the biggest needs for this offense and Arthur Smith is going to want a running back room that he can rely upon to get the job done and to take some of the pressure off of Matt Ryan in this new offensive scheme.

That being said, you could trade back with a team in the 15-20 range (perhaps even a little bit later) and still get Harris or Etienne, and gain more draft capital as a result.

If the Falcons are going to trade back, it needs to be with a purpose of knowing what they want to do with their extra picks. Trading back into the top-10 and drafting a running back just doesn’t seem like a wise move for the franchise considering what else should be available if they put the pick on the market.