Despite not having made the playoffs in seven years, the Atlanta Falcons have high expectations for their first year under new coach Raheem Morris, with postseason qualification being the target. General manager Terry Fontenot understands the urgency of finding a franchise quarterback this offseason. A recent CBS Sports mock draft suggests that the Falcons may trade with the New England Patriots to secure the No. 3 pick, with the intention of selecting Jayden Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner from LSU.
Daniels brings considerable experience to the professional level, having started 55 games (29 at Arizona State and 26 at LSU). He holds the distinction of being the only player in FBS history to accumulate over 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in his career. Additionally, he is the sole FBS player since the start of the 21st century to average more than 300 passing yards and 75 rushing yards per game in a season.
Thanks to the deliberate rebuilding efforts led by Fontenot and his team in recent years, the Falcons’ offense appears well-equipped for their next franchise quarterback. Despite their playoff absence, the Falcons have capitalized on three top-10 NFL Draft picks, adding talents like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson. With the potential addition of Daniels, Atlanta could boast one of the youngest and most promising cores in the league, requiring only competence from their rookie signal-caller.
Considering Daniels’ remarkable college career, marked by impressive statistics and a Heisman win, the Falcons’ expectations for their new quarterback may seem modest. However, the team’s interest in trading for Justin Fields from Chicago adds another intriguing dimension to their offseason plans. If Atlanta can secure a top-three pick, it would mark their highest draft selection since 2008 when they drafted Matt Ryan, making it a fitting opportunity to invest in a quarterback once again.