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7 round mock draft: Falcons trade back, get Heisman finalist QB

By Grayson Freestone

Dec 11, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Heisman candidates (left to right) defensive end Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan and quarterback Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh and quarterback C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and quarterback Bryce Young of Alabama pose for pictures with the Heisman Trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Heisman candidates (left to right) defensive end Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan and quarterback Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh and quarterback C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and quarterback Bryce Young of Alabama pose for pictures with the Heisman Trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during the second quarter in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during the second quarter in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

*Trade*

Falcons get: TB Picks 30, 62, 94, 132, 2023 2nd round

Buccaneers get: Pick 9

Round 1, Pick 30: Kenny Pickett (QB) – Pitt

In this mock draft, the Atlanta Falcons decide to trade backward, giving them a multitude of picks in the later rounds and another second-rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft.

You may be wondering why the Falcons did not get a first-rounder but with all the consecutive picks that Tampa Bay gives up, it makes up for it.

Terry Fontenot decides to build for the future by selecting one of the finalists for the Heisman trophy, Kenny Pickett. Pickett would come into a perfect situation where he would get to learn from a future Hall of Famer in Matt Ryan. He would not be rushed to start in his rookie season, much like how the Chiefs handled Patrick Mahomes.

Kenny Pickett has significant upside, he is an aggressive player, which can be a good or bad thing for him. If he learns how to eliminate some of the big mistakes, he could seriously be the next big thing in the NFL.

He also has the ability to take off with his legs, which adds a factor that is lacking with Matt Ryan. We all know that Arthur Smith would appreciate a quarterback with the ability to use his legs like he had with Ryan Tannehill and the Titans.

Being able to trade down while still picking up a potential, future franchise quarterback is something that cannot be passed on.