The Atlanta Falcons decided to make the tough decision in this mock draft moving up to take a quarterback still not fully believing in Desmond Ridder. To be clear this isn’t an indication that this is what Atlanta should do when clearly the team’s best move is building around Ridder for a full season and allowing the quarterback to develop.
However, considering Atlanta’s recent record at the position and the rumors swirling about the Bears moving away from the number one pick it is a match that has to be considered.
This year the Falcons won’t pay a heavy price sending their first and third-round picks respectively to the Bears followed by next year’s first-rounder and their next two second-round picks. Considering Atlanta is giving Chicago a top-ten pick in return only including one more first-rounder is fair compensation for a team that will have plenty of draft picks to build around Justin Fields over the next two seasons.
Once Atlanta moves up they will have to decide which quarterback they believe to be clearly the best in the class and the debate shouldn’t last for long if Atlanta is serious about upgrading from Desmond Ridder.
Pick #1 Bryce Young
Outside of concerns over Young holding up due to his size at the next level, there is zero reason not to consider Bryce the obvious number-one pick. While his size is a slight concern his ability and consistency are far too exciting to pass up on.
The respect that Young was given in a great Alabama program was obvious and spoke to the leader that he was for a school that has had a lot of great players over the last decade. Three of their former quarterbacks are currently starters in the league with Tua, Jalen Hurts, and Mac Jones all heading into 2023 as starters.
Out of the four Young is clearly the most exciting prospect and going to start from day one. Atlanta’s only concern with this pick is going to be how Bryce holds up at the next level. Bryce can step in and run any system if healthy and protected. There isn’t an NFL throw Young can’t make and great straight-line speed that will allow him to run read options and quarterback-designed runs in Arthur Smith’s offense.
Pick #44 Darnell Washington
There isn’t any question that Washington is going to need time to develop and will take time to fit in at the next level. Still, if Darnell is on the board in the second round there should be no hesitation from the Falcons taking a walking mismatch who is a great blocker.
Much like Bryce Young, Washington is a great fit for Arthur Smith’s offense bringing a player who will fit perfectly in heavy run packages while giving Young a mismatch of a target. Washington would allow the Falcons to use Kyle Pitts in a receiver role using Kyle as their primary target instead of using him as a blocking tight end as they did during much of the 2022 season.
Pitts and Washington alone should solve Atlanta’s struggles scoring inside the twenty with two players that allows the Falcons to run a package that is going to be very difficult for the opposing defense to match up to attempting to stop the run or the tight ends in the passing game.
Pick #110, Karl Brooks
The Atlanta Falcons sent their third-round pick to Chicago and spent their first two selections on fixing the offense leaving the team still needing a lot of help along the defensive line. Brooks is a solid prospect who is entering the draft after his fifth season in college where he set a career-high in sacks with ten in his final season and at this point in the draft was the best fit for Atlanta.
Pick #113, Byron Young
At this point in the draft, the Falcons aren’t going to take an NFL-ready player, and neither Young nor Brooks are ready to start either on the inside or edge. Both players will need development and have to prove they can beat out Atlanta’s current options. Young and Brooks are great cheap depth pieces but not clear answers to Atlanta’s issues with the pass rush. Drafting two offensive pieces in the first round means the Falcons will have to find a top pass rusher either in free agency or the trade market.
Pick #161, DeWayne McBride
Last season the Falcons hit a home run in this spot taking Tyler Allgeier who in his rookie season rushed for over 1,000 yards and clearly will be Atlanta’s starter heading into next season. However, Arthur Smith’s system is clearly set up to have at least three or four viable running options on the roster leaving the door open for the Falcons to add to the position.
DeWayne is a great fit for the Falcons in a player who put together his best season at the perfect time just as Allgeier did before the 2022 draft. McBride is going to fall in this draft due both to where he played and the fact at times he runs sideways far too often.
Patience at the line of scrimmage is important but at the next level, McBride must accelerate faster not waiting for the perfect running lane to appear but making decisions far quicker. What makes McBride such a great fit for the Falcons is his willingness to finish runs and seek out contact something Arthur Smith clearly loves and appreciates.
Pick #226 Matt Landers
The Atlanta Falcons badly need to add both a starting receiver and depth to the position behind Drake London. Landers isn’t a starting option but an interesting prospect who would improve Atlanta’s depth and is clearly a far better prospect than Jared Bernhardt or Frank Darby who are Atlanta’s current depth options behind London.
Landers picked a great time to have the best season of his college career finishing with 901 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns in a senior season that could have Landers off the board before the final two rounds.
Pick #247 Mehki Blackmon
If the Falcons decide not to bring back Isaiah Oliver or to cut Casey Hayward to save cap space the team will need to add both a starter and another depth piece to the roster. Blackmon is a fifth-year prospect who has played a lot of football and has earned his shot at the next level. While not a starting option Blackmon could earn a spot as a depth option.