Atlanta Falcons: 2021 NFL Draft Tracker with instant grades & analysis

The Atlanta Falcons will be on the clock this weekend as the 2021 NFL Draft is upon us.

Throughout the entire weekend, you can stay up-to-date on what’s happening with the Falcons during the draft by checking here with us at Blogging Dirty.

With this live draft tracker, we will provide instant analysis and grades for each of the Atlanta Falcons’ draft picks and provide updates on any moves made throughout the weekend.

Rumors heading into the 2021 NFL Draft

As we prepare for the NFL Draft on Thursday evening, there are a couple of rumors that should be pointed out pertaining to the Falcons and what they’ll do with their Day 1 pick and during the early portion of Day 2.

While many believed the Falcons would take a quarterback or trade back, the overarching theme coming into the draft is that Atlanta will now stay at that No. 4 spot and take prolific TE Kyle Pitts (Florida) when they’re on-the-clock Thursday evening.

If the Falcons truly did decide to take Pitts- which we’ll find out soon- he would be a major upgrade for them in terms of offensive skill position players. Atlanta has made it known that they want to compete in the final few years of Matt Ryan’s contract and giving him a target and play-maker of Pitts’ caliber would make a difference in the new offensive scheme.

As far as Day 2 is concerned, there is a report that the Falcons are heavily considering taking a running back. If that’s the case, the offense would again see a big upgrade with a name like Travis Etienne or Najee Harris paired in the backfield with Ryan.

Other needs for the Falcons as we head into the draft include: OL, Edge-Rusher, DB, QB, and LB.

Atlanta Falcons live draft tracker with instant analysis & grades

Please check back here for the latest updates and analysis pertaining to the Falcons’ draft class.

• The Atlanta Falcons take Kyle Pitts with the No. 4 overall pick (First-Round)

Anyone who has been keeping up with the recent developments shouldn’t be surprised by this pick. Pitts is the ‘unicorn’ of the draft. He is physically too strong for any defensive back and he’s too athletic for any linebacker.

He activates the Falcons offense and puts them on another level.

Grade: A+

• The Atlanta Falcons trade back to No. 40 and select S Richie Grant (Second-Round)

The Falcons traded with the Denver Broncos and the result saw them slide back a few spots and pick up an extra fourth round pick while giving up one of their sixth round picks.

With the pick, the Falcons selected UCF safety Richie Grant.

Terry Fontentot said it best when he described the physical nature of Grant’s game and he’s going to be a major addition to that Falcons secondary. Honestly, he might be the steal of the second-round.

That makes two home run picks for the Falcons so far, for those who are counting.

Grade: A+

• Atlanta Falcons select Jalen Mayfield with the No. 68 overall pick (third-round)

Jalen Mayfield is an offensive lineman who covers a lot of ground and has solid athleticism. For a third-rounder, he is a really good pickup and could develop into a starter sooner rather than later.

Grade: B

Day 3 Draft Picks:

• Round 4 (Pick No. 108): CB Darren Hall
• Round 4 (Pick No. 114) C Drew Dalman
• Round 5 (Pick No. 148) DT Ta’Quon Graham
• Round 5 (Pick No. 182) DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji
• Round 5 (Pick No. 183) CB Avery Williams
• Round 6 (Pick No. 187) WR Frank Darby