3 Falcons takeaways after day one of the 2021 NFL draft
The Falcons walked away from day one of the draft as winners when they selected Florida tight end Kyle Pitts with their No. 4 pick. After the 49ers went with Trey Lance at No. 3, Atlanta passed on Justin Fields, Ja’Marr Chase and Penei Sewell to select Pitts.
Here are three Falcons takeaways from day one of the 2021 NFL draft.
Falcons excited about Pitts' upside
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest takeaway of the night was the Falcons bringing in a dynamic playmaker to bolster their offensive passing attack. Pitts brings a Calvin Johnson physique at a position that can be exploited in the seams. The potential that Pitts brings is enough to make a stoic Arthur Smith smile in excitement. https://twitter.com/FalconsKelsey/status/1387983397855899664?s=20 "You're getting a dynamic weapon," said Falcons GM Terry Fontenot. "He's tough, he's competitive, he's got a rare skill set. So, we're adding him to the building, we're excited about that, we're going to go add some more."
Julio Jones to Baltimore could be dead
(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
In the build up to the draft, a shift in focus for a brief moment went from the team's No. 4 pick to All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones. It was reported, and then confirmed, that the team was listening to offers for Jones in an effort to clear cap space. Baltimore, who was the leading favorite to land the Falcons All-Pro receiver, used their No. 27 selection to take Rashod Bateman from Minnesota. While the pick was great for the Ravens, it also meant that they were no longer in play for Jones. https://twitter.com/Deen_NFL/status/1387973773039652864?s=20 As the draft continues and the offseason goes on, the potential to trade Jones will always be present because the Falcons need to clear nearly $7 million in cap space just to have enough to sign their rookie class. Additionally, the team will need to create more space so there's enough money when the roster expands to 53 after the preseason. While a trade can be negotiated before June 1, it couldn't go into effect until after June 1.
Several good players are still available
(AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)
The Falcons may have hit a home run with their No. 4 overall pick, but they have another chance to add first-round talent on day two. Here is a quick list of players who could possibly be available for the Falcons at No. 35.
#12: DT, Christian Barmore - Alabama
#16: Safety, Trevon Moehrig - TCU
#19: LB, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - Notre Dame
#22: WR: Elijah Moore - Ole Miss
#25 OT, Walker Litter - Stanford
#29: CB, Asante Samuel - Florida State
#30: EDGE, Azeez Ojulari - Georgia
#34: LB, Nick Bolton - Missouri
#35: Safety, Elijah Molden - Washington
#42: EDGE, Carlos Basham Jr. - Wake Forest
#43: EDGE, Ronnie Perkins - Oklahoma
#44: Center, Landon Dickerson - Alabama
#47: Safety, Jamar Johnson - Indiana
After going offense in round one, it's plausible to expect the Falcons to turn to the defensive side of the football for day two.
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