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If Atlanta Falcons trade down, they need to sell out to D.J. Uiagalelei for future

By Andrew Boardwine

Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei(5) throws a ball during football practice in Clemson, S.C. Monday, March 22, 2021.Clemson Spring Football Practice
Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei(5) throws a ball during football practice in Clemson, S.C. Monday, March 22, 2021.Clemson Spring Football Practice /
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The Atlanta Falcons have the most interesting pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and there are a myriad of opinions as to what they should do with it.

Knowing that the first three picks- Jaguars, Jets and 49ers- are locked in, the Falcons possess the first ‘open’ pick in the draft and teams who are desperately trying to draft a quarterback are going to come calling in a big way over the next few weeks.

Because of the moves the Falcons made this offseason, especially restructuring Matt Ryan’s contract, it wouldn’t make much sense for Atlanta to draft a quarterback. The Falcons- for better or for worse- are going to be stuck with Matt Ryan for at least the next two years and, most likely, the next three seasons.

That means the franchise is going to take its resources and allocate them towards making their current team better and giving Ryan the best chance to win in what could be his final stint when it’s all said and done.

If the Atlanta Falcons choose to trade back, there needs to be a mind’s eye on rising-star QB D.J. Uiagalelei in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Falcons don’t have to take a quarterback in this draft and it would make a ton of sense for them to stockpile picks in the near future as a way to get ‘their guy’ when the time comes.

That ‘guy’ needs to be current Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei.

Uiagalelei has a rocket for an arm and many believe his arm is actually stronger than that of previous Tiger QB Trevor Lawrence. He stands tall at 6-foot-5 and weighs nearly 250 pounds. And he’s just a sophomore.

Uiagalelei is going to have two years in that Clemson offensive system and it’s my opinion that we’re going to see him absolutely tear it up.

So what does that have to do with the Falcons in this current draft? If the Falcons choose to trade back, they need to be eyeing an extra first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

With two picks in the first-round of that draft, the Falcons could move up to take Uiagalelei when the time is right and have their answer for the successor to Matt Ryan.

You can always try and ‘play it out’ where you lose enough games to earn a top-five pick. But currently possessing a top-five pick now gives the Falcons a chance to get ahead on the future and still put themselves in ‘win now’ mode. It’s the best of both worlds, right?

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We’re not saying the Atlanta Falcons should trade back, but what we are saying is that if they choose to do so, it should be with D.J. Uiagalelei in mind.