Falcons make blockbuster trade, land Caleb Williams in latest mock draft.
The Falcons are once again on the market for a head coach, but it doesn’t matter who coaches this team until they find a quarterback.
The play of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke directly attributed to Arthur Smith’s firing; it will be the reason of the next coach’s demise too if they don’t get it right this time.
There aren’t many enticing alternatives on the pro personnel side of things. Justin Fields is perhaps the only player worth getting that still has the upside to turn into the next franchise quarterback.
The Falcons just can’t go with a band-aid in Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, or Baker Mayfield; they have to go younger. Ideally, the team discovers the answer in the draft. There are three at the top in Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, and Jayden Daniels that are worth trading up for, in my opinion.
My preference for those three would be in that sequence – Maye, Williams, and finally Daniels. However, it’s going to take a substantial trade to move up for any of them, especially for the top prospect.
In the newest mock draft from The Athletic, the Falcons strike out a deal with the Bears to move to the 1st overall choice and choose the 2022 Heisman trophy winner, Caleb Williams.
1. Atlanta Falcons (from CHI via CAR): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Proposed trade: Atlanta receives No. 1; Chicago receives Nos. 8 and 43 plus a future first-round selection and a future second-round pick
Chicago hasn’t made a decision yet on Justin Fields. If the Bears decide to move on, this pick will be for a quarterback.
At the same time, the Bears’ trade in March with Carolina again puts general manager Ryan Poles in a situation in which he can dump No. 1 for a haul, further build around (or kick the can on) Fields and really charge up an already impressive young squad.
Of all the QB-needy teams, Atlanta’s roster is the most poised to win. Now, add a new coach and a new face of the franchise. Williams next to running back Bijan Robinson, in an offense with tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London, might sell a ticket or two.
Two first-round picks and two second-round picks to move up from the 8th overall pick is a pipe dream, but I’m doing this trade every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
A pair of firsts and seconds for a franchise quarterback is chump change, and it won’t come close to what Chicago can collect in a trade should they decide to put the pick up for sale.
The price of the 1st overall pick will surpass what the Panthers spent last year. Carolina sent Chicago two firsts, two seconds, and D.J. Moore. Any agreement this year will start there.
A more likely deal for the Falcons to move up to the Bears’ top place would be three first-round picks, a pair of second-rounders and Kyle Pitts. Even still, I’m doing that transaction without blinking.
Without a quarterback, a Super Bowl is an afterthought.
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