While it remains unclear how the San Francisco 49ers plan to proceed with the No. 3 overall pick, the New York Jets trade of Sam Darnold Monday makes it pretty likely that the first three picks will be used on quarterbacks. That means that the real intrigue in the 2021 NFL Draft will start with the Atlanta Falcons at pick No. 4.
With that in mind, ESPN's Adam Schefter says that "multiple teams" have contacted Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot about potentially acquiring the pick. In fact, Schefter reports that Atlanta is "open to moving" the selection.
With the fourth overall pick, the Falcons could consider taking a quarterback. Pro Football Focus graded Matt Ryan as the 12th-best quarterback in the NFL in 2020, so he was far from the biggest problem on a 4-12 team. That said, Ryan will turn 36 before the 2021 season starts, so it's far from a certainty that by the next time that the Falcons contend he'll still be playing at a high level.
The Falcons moving forward with Ryan is very much a possibility, though. They could select Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, who some see as a generational talent. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell would also be a very good selection. Depending upon how far they would move down, though, the Falcons could still land their desired player while obtaining extra draft capital.
The division-rival Panthers are a less likely trade partner after acquiring Darnold, if the two sides would have ever seriously considered making such a trade anyway. The Denver Broncos at No. 9 could theoretically move up for a quarterback, but it's hard to imagine Pitts or Sewell still being on the board at that selection.
Nonetheless, the idea that the Falcons are at least willing to consider trading the No. 4 pick adds another wrinkle to what's already been a very eventual draft season.
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