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Why Atlanta Falcons have to go offense in the first-round of 2021 NFL Draft

By Andrew Boardwine

Nov 28, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 28, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 28, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 28, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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The Atlanta Falcons have a major decision to make when they’re put on the clock in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the No. 4 overall pick.

The Falcons are set to hold the keys to the rest of the NFL Draft because they’re likely- in most analysts’ opinions- to be the first team to take a player who’s not a quarterback.

While there are plenty of NFL Draft Analysts and fans who will give their take one who the Falcons need to select or what they need to do with the pick, one thing is for sure: The Falcons need to go offense.

Why the Atlanta Falcons must go offense in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft

Like it or not, you’re sold out to Matt Ryan for at least the next two seasons.

The Falcons restructured Ryan’s contract earlier this offseason and that, in turn, showed us the franchise’s direction for the next couple of seasons: Try to build around Ryan and win now.

Do all fans agree with the decision? No. But if you understand Ryan’s contract and the amount of money the previous regime spent, you’ll understand why the new group ultimately elected to go this route.

With that in mind, you can’t be sold out to Matt Ryan and not give him more weapons and options.

Are there any game-changing defensive players in this draft who are going to come in and elevate an entire unit from the beginning? Probably not.

There are some solid prospects like Micah Parsons, Patrick Surtain II and Gregory Rousseau, but are you sold that any of those guys are going to come in and automatically make the defense better? We don’t think so.

That being said, there are several first and second round guys who could instantly elevate this offense and help make a difference for Ryan right away.

Just a few?

  • TE Kyle Pitts
  • WR Ja’Marr Chase
  • OT Penei Sewell
  • RB Najee Harris
  • RB Travis Etienne

That’s why the Falcons have to go offense in the first-round, without question. You need playmakers who can help elevate Ryan. You need to put guys around him that can accentuate his strengths and help hide some of those weaknesses. All of those guys above are players who can do just that.

Maybe the Falcons trade back, maybe they take a player with the No. 4 overall pick. Maybe they find a running back like Etienne or Harris in the second-round. Maybe they trade up into the later portion of the first round to get their running back. No matter how you slice it, though, the Falcons have to go offense in the first portion of the 2021 NFL Draft.

light. Related Story. Kyle Pitts is a no-brainer for the Atlanta Falcons