While there is one game left on the schedule, the Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention ahead of their matchup with the Saints and it’s time to start thinking about the offseason. The Falcons could have a pick within the top 10 and Jon Chuckery says that Terry Fontenot has to get this one right to keep the momentum moving in the right direction.
"If the franchise is going to get back on track, they have to have a killer draft this year, and I don’t mean what guys look like three years from now. They need to get their Micah Parsons, their Ja'marr Chase. They need to get a guy who comes in here and makes a big impact on changing your franchise around, not putting up stats and numbers, not breaking records—I’m talking about having an impact on the success and changing of your franchise. That’s what Parsons and Chase have done," Chuckery said.
While free agency will occur first, Chuckery explained his belief that its importance pales in comparison to the draft.
“This team is never going to going to fix its ills in free agency. You can’t free agent your way to great pass rush and offensive line play…you have to draft those guys. You have to find young, cheap talent that way over performs for what they’re getting paid," he said.
As for where the Falcons should go in the first round, Chuckery says that the focus needs to be in the trenches. Currently, Matt Ryan is among the leagues most sacked quarterbacks and the Falcons have the fewest sacks in the NFL.