The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, and the NFL Draft is still two weeks away.
Atlanta seems to be content heading into the 2023 season with Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback, but they’ve been bringing in quarterbacks like Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson for visits.
Levis is scheduled to be in Atlanta on Thursday according to Ian Rapoport.
ESPN’s Matt Miller suggests the likelihood of the Falcons taking a quarterback remains slim.
Sources close to the Falcons say they are taking a serious look at the quarterbacks in the class, but the team is comfortable with 2022 third-rounder Desmond Ridder under center. According to the source, who has knowledge of their plans, the Falcons would need a “dream scenario” to take one of the quarterbacks in the top 10. My read on that is it would have to be Bryce Young (Alabama) or C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) being available.
Matt Miller, ESPN+
Young and Stroud aren’t likely to be available at No. 8, and it seems doubtful the Falcons would want to trade up to select a quarterback.
Edge, wide receiver and left guard appear to be the biggest immediate needs for the Falcons heading into the draft, but Miller dropped a nugget that could have some ramifications in the defensive secondary.
The source also mentioned wide receiver and safety as areas Atlanta will attack on Day 2 of the draft. Brian Branch (Alabama) is the top-ranked safety in the class and won’t be on the board long if he makes it to Day 2. Atlanta could use him in the slot or on the back end next to new signee Jessie Bates III.
Matt Miller, ESPN+
Third-year pro Richie Grant played better in his second season last year, but the former second-round draft pick could still be under fire if Miller is correct and the Falcons are targeting a safety like Branch in the second round.
The Falcons have revamped their defensive secondary with Bates and cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Jeff Okudah, but is Grant safe?
The addition of Okudah could change the Falcons draft plans. In a mock draft we ran on Wednesday morning, we turned to offensive lineman Peter Skoronski as a plug and play left guard with long-term offensive tackle potential.
The Falcons have fewer holes to fill than the past two seasons and will concentrate on quality instead of quantity. Edge, left guard, and wide receiver appear to be the biggest needs.
Quarterback?
Only in a dream scenario.
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