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Atlanta Falcons draft picks: Best 2021 NFL Draft targets, potential draft selections

Atlanta Falcons draft picks: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Travis Etienne (9) scores a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

We’re highly intrigued to see what the Atlanta Falcons draft picks in 2021 look like under new general manager Terry Fontenot. It seems like Atlanta is still looking to keep its core group, Matt Ryan included.

If so, the 2021 NFL Draft will have to be a smashing success for both Fontenot and new head coach Arthur Smith following a four win season in Atlanta.

Related: If you’re a fan of the Falcons, check out #RiseUpATL rumors, rankings, and news here

Atlanta Falcons draft picks: Round-by-round targets in upcoming NFL Draft

As of right now, the Falcons are projected to pick fourth overall in the draft. However, that could change by the team trading down with another quarterback-needy franchise.

Atlanta needs more help on defense than offense right now. That will likely be the focus in trade-down scenarios for the team. Without further ado, let’s look at the Atlanta Falcons draft picks and what they should do come April.

Related: NFL mock draft 2023 – CJ Stroud, Bryce Young headline outstanding 2023 NFL Draft class

First round, 4th pick: Caleb Farley (CB, Virginia Tech), Micah Parsons (LB, Penn State), trade-down scenario

Top 2021 NFL Draft prospect Caleb Farley tests positive for COVID-19
Nov 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Caleb Farley (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, it seems more likely than not that new Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot will trade down from four with a quarterback-needy team rather than select an eventual heir-apparent to Matt Ryan. Even if Atlanta were to stay at four, there’s a better chance that the team goes defense.

That’s where both Farley and Parsons come into play. It really all depends what position the Falcons think they need more help. The 6-foot-2 Farley is considered the consensus No. 1 corner in the draft with true shutdown ability. Atlanta has not had that since Desmond Trufant was in his prime. It’s definitely a need for a Falcons defense that yielded a 101.7 passer rating a season ago.

On the other hand, Parsons was considered the top overall defender in the 2021 NFL Draft prior to opting out of his final season with Penn State. He, too, fits a need a linebacker for a Falcons defense that needs all the talent it can get. Even then, look for a trade down from this spot.

Read More: NFL rumors: Atlanta Falcons HC Arthur Smith suggests a Matt Ryan trade is not in the cards

Second round, 35th pick: Asante Samuel Jr. (CB, Florida State), Travis Etienne (RB, Clemson), Ronnie Perkins (EDGE, Oklahoma), Trevon Moehrig (S, Texas Christian)

Atlanta Falcons draft picks: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Dec 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Travis Etienne (9) scores a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

If Atlanta were to pass on Farley in the first round, Samuel Jr. would not be a bad backup option. He comes from pedigree (father was a Pro Bowl CB in the NFL) and showed out big time during a three-year career with Florida State. Quarterbacks largely avoided the corner with the Seminoles last season due to his shutdown ability, but Samuel Jr. was still able to record three interceptions.

Remaining on defense, the Falcons recorded only 29 sacks a season ago. Their best sack man from the edge position, Steven Means, had a mere three. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Perkins was a consistent figure with Oklahoma, recording at least five sacks in each of his three seasons and tallying 32 tackles for loss during that span. Moehrig also becomes an option as a single-high safety for a Falcons team that needs help in that regard.

With that said, I am most inclined to believe that the Falcons will look running back in Round 2 for new head coach Arthur Smith. We saw how much success Derrick Henry had in that role under Smith in Tennessee. Etienne was considered the consensus top running back ahead of the 2020 college football season. He’s since been passed up by Najee Harris.

Even then, here’s a dude that recorded 6,107 total yards and 78 touchdowns at a clip of nearly eight yards per touch during his four-year career with Clemson. The dude is a legit franchise back. Atlanta needs that after the failed Todd Gurley experiment of a season ago.

Related: Top NFL free agents of 2023 – Lamar Jackson, and Deebo Samuel lead the charge

Third round, 68th pick: Kyle Trask (QB, Florida), Amari Rodgers (WR, Clemson), Dylan Moses (LB, Alabama)

Kyle Trask
Dec 30, 2020; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Kyle Trask (11) throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter at ATT Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Even if the Falcons retain Matt Ryan (as expected), there’s no reason for the team to avoid a mid-round quarterback in the coming draft. The mock draft simulator from Pro Football Network utilized in this article had Trask available in Round 3 for Atlanta. If so, it’s pretty much almost a no-brainer.

The 6-foot-5 Trask was absolutely brilliant for Florida last season, throwing for 4,283 yards with 46 total touchdowns against eight interceptions. While he’s seen as a project, sitting behind Ryan for a couple years will help the talented quarterback.

If the Falcons want to go with immediate-impact players to help preserve the twilight of Ryan’s career, Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers makes sense. He’d be a perfect slot option to go with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Boasting game-breaking ability, the 5-foot-10 Rodgers caught 77 passes for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns this past season.

Read More: Ranking the top-10 NFL quarterbacks who could change teams during NFL free agency

Atlanta Falcons mock draft: Adding talent for one final run with Matt Ryan

Atlanta Falcons rumors: Will the Atlanta Falcons trade Matt Ryan?
Dec 20, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of a NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
  • First round, 8th pick: Caleb Farley, cornerback, Virginia Tech
  • Second round, 35th pick: Jaelan Phillips, edge, Miami (F)
  • Second round, 39th pick: Travis Etienne, running back, Clemson
  • Third round, 68th pick: Jabril Cox, linebacker/safety, LSU
  • Fourth round, 101st pick: Nico Collins, wide receiver, Michigan
  • Fifth round, 134th pick: Jamie Newman, quarterback, Georgia
  • Sixth round, 165th pick: Alaric Jackson, tackle/guard, Iowa

2021 NFL Draft trade: Atlanta Falcons send fourth overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for eighth selection, second-round pick and 2022 first-round pick

There’s a lot to look at here. First off, Atlanta will be in a great position with one of the top-three quarterbacks on the board at No. 4 overall. Whether it’s Zach Wilson (BYU) or Justin Fields (Ohio State), quarterback-needy teams will pay a premium to move up with the Falcons.

In lieu of Atlanta going quarterback, I am predicting that the team trades down four spots with Carolina — adding a valuable second-round pick in 2021 and first-round selection in 2022.

After being able to land the consensus No. 1 corner in the draft, Caleb Farley, the Falcons are able to pick up stud EDGE rusher Jaelan Phillips in the pick acquired from Carolina. They then add the above-mentioned Travis Etienne before closing out Day 2 with a talented linebacker/safety hybrid in that of Jabril Cox. That’s four likely Day 1 starters for the Falcons.

In the fifth round, Atlanta picks up project quarterback Jamie Newman. The former Georgia signal caller has impressed big time at the Senior Bowl and could be a potential heir-apparent to Matt Ryan.

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