Braves Star Michael Harris II Reveals Who Falcons Should Pick in 2024 NFL Draft
The Atlanta Falcons entered the offseason with two burning questions set to decide the fate of the franchise. Who will be the next head coach, and who will be his quarterback?
The most important position in football will have to wait, but Atlanta signed Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to a five-year deal to be its next head coach. Morris spent six seasons with the Falcons, from 2015-2020, taking on roles on both sides of the ball before taking over as interim head coach in his final season.
He’s back, rightfully so, and gets to help decide what the Falcons will do with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It seems everyone has an opinion on the matter.
Oct 9, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) makes a catch at the wall for an out during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Truist Park.
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
That includes Atlanta Braves star center fielder Michael Harris II.
At Braves Fest – an event for players and fans to interact and generate excitement ahead of a new season – Harris was asked who he’d pick for the hometown team.
“I’d trade up and get Jayden Daniels,” Harris said, per Georgia Chambers.
Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback of the LSU Tigers, has been a riser in the draft process. He’s proven to be more than just an athlete, though his 1,134 rushing yards in his final collegiate season speak for themselves. He works well within structure and processes well enough to take on a range of responsibilities, whether his new offense is based on pure progressions or smoke and mirrors.
No player was more dynamic than Daniels. Throwing to star receiver prospects Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., he doused college defenses in flames. He threw for 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. As a result, there’s a good chance he’s a top-five pick in April’s NFL Draft.
Trading up for a quarterback is nothing new, it’s simply the price of doing business. There are more teams in need of hope under center than there are top prospects, and the regret of watching another team jump in front for a quarterback could run a front office out of a job.
If Atlanta is going to match its baseball counterparts’ success, it must find a franchise quarterback. Time will tell if the Falcons were tuned into Braves Fest.
