Atlanta Falcons – QB Wanted

The Atlanta Falcons need some quarterback help. This year, the Falcons have a total of 2,811 passing yards ranking them as the 10th worst in that category. In average passing yards per game, the Falcons also rank as the 10th worst with just 200.8. As far as passing touchdowns go, the Falcons rank as the 7th worst with just 13 passing touchdowns.

Of the 13 Atlanta Falcons games this year, QB Desmond Ridder has been the Birds starter for 12. His passing stats this season are less than optimal. The Falcons QB has completed 63-percent of his passes for 2,528 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also thrown 10 interceptions, ranking him in the far lower end of starting quarterbacks in the league in that statistic.

Backup QB Taylor Heinicke has completed 55-percent of his passes for 498 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. On Wednesday, Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith announced, for the second time this season, that the Falcons were going to start Heinicke over Ridder for performance issues.

With all of this being said ititss obvious the Atlanta Falcons need an overhaul of their quarterback position. The problem, however, lies in the fact that as of week 16, the Atlanta Falcons sit at the 11th overall spot in the NFL Draft, which isn’t a likely spot to find a generational quarterback. There is a chance they could find a difference maker, so lets look at three potential Draft opportunities/situations the Falcons could utilize to improve their quarterback room for the 2024 season.

Jayden Daniels – LSU

With the 11th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Jayden Daniels, quarterback, Louisiana State University.

Daniels would be a dream for the  Atlanta Falcons organization. By selecting the 2023 Heisman winner the Falcons would win the draft and the fanbase. The dual-threat QB has the highest QBR in the nation this year (95.7) as well as a 40:4 touchdown to interception ratio. Daniels threw for 3,812 and has also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Daniels, at 6-foot, 4-inches and 210 pounds, fits the prototype mold for a franchise quarterback as well. Another upside for Daniels would be that he would be a, more likely than not, pro ready quarterback from the second he hit Falcons minicamp.

The Bears and Patriots draft ahead of the Falcons, and the consensus is that these two picks will be filled by Drake Male and Caleb Williams. Of the remaining 7 most likely draft positions, there aren’t any other franchises in dire need of a quarterback. So, Daniels could very easily wind up being an Atlanta Falcon.

Bo Nix – Oregon

Nix isn’t as pro ready as Daniels but he’s just as physically gifted. Nix also comes from the Oregon offensive system that has seen him throw for 4,145 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions. Nix is mobile as well, rushing for 226 yards and 6 touchdowns, but also being an extender of plays more than a downfield ball carrier.

Nix would be a solid option if Jayden Daniels isn’t available. Maybe the Cardinals have plans to trade Kyler Murray in the near future and they draft Jayden Daniels before the Falcons have a chance to snag him. In this scenario I could easily see the Atlanta Falcons swooping in and taking Nix with the 10th or 11th pick.

Michael Penix Jr – Washington or JJ McCarthy – Michigan

The obvious choice is Penix because he has thrown for 4,218 yards (1st in NCAA) and 33 touchdowns. McCarthy has thrown for 2,630 yards and 19 touchdowns,; however, McCarthy comes from a more pro-style offense at Michigan where the running game gets much more attention than it does at Washington.

So if the stats go Penix’s way, id say the injury factor goes to McCarthy. A potential top-10 pick needs to have low milage on them to be considered for such high value. If the Atlanta Falcons get in the position where, somehow, Daniels and Nix are gone, they’ll have a tough decision between these two quarterbacks. I’d lean Penix’s way but the McCarthy play wouldn’t be all bad either.