Falcons Draft Plans: 'Serious Look' at QB - Who Are 'Dream' Candidates?
The 2023 NFL Draft is just two weeks away - and the Atlanta Falcons' board is starting to take shape.
With coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot having committed to last year's third-round pick Desmond Ridder as the starting quarterback and several key players added in free agency, team needs have become clearer.
Except ...
According to ESPN, Atlanta remains involved with the top quarterbacks this draft has to offer.
"Sources close to the Falcons say they are taking a serious look at the quarterbacks in the class, but the team is comfortable with Ridder under center," ESPN writes. "According to the source, who has knowledge of their plans, the Falcons would need a 'dream scenario' to take one of the quarterbacks in the top 10."
That "dream," per ESPN, is one of the top two passers - Ohio State's C.J. Stroud or Alabama's Bryce Young - being on the board.
Of note, the Falcons are set to host two quarterbacks on top-30 visits - Kentucky's Will Levis and Florida's Anthony Richardson - but not Stroud or Young, perhaps in part because neither is expected to be around past pick No. 2 overall.
Richardson and Levis are seen as the third- and fourth-best quarterbacks, respectively, and could both be selected by the time the Falcons are on the clock.
In essence, if one of the home run passers goes through a highly unexpected slide, Atlanta will pounce - but if not, it'll carry on business as usual, likely targeting a defensive end at No. 8 overall.
Also of note is that the Falcons' positional targets on the draft's second day - rounds two and three - have evidently become clear.
"The source mentioned wide receiver and safety as areas Atlanta will attack on Day 2 of the draft," ESPN writes. "Brian Branch (Alabama) is the top-ranked safety in the class and won't be on the board long if he makes it to Day 2. Atlanta could use him in the slot or on the back end next to new signee Jessie Bates III."
Branch, who grew up in Fayetteville, Ga., half an hour outside of Atlanta, expressed excitement about the idea of returning home when asked by SI's Falcon Report.
"Playing for the Falcons would be huge," Branch said. "That's home - it'd be very comfortable. My mom and them are right up the street from the Falcons."
The Falcons have done plenty of work on the top of the safety class, holding formal Combine meetings and top-30 visits with both Branch and Florida State's Jammie Robinson. Atlanta also brought Illinois star Sydney Brown in for a top-30.
As for receivers, the Falcons have been connected with a number of wideouts set to go on Day 2; sources tell us that Cincinnati's Tyler Scott and Tre Tucker are options, while visits have been held with Nebraska's Trey Palmer, Michigan State's Jayden Reed and Ole Miss' Jonathan Mingo, among others.
Atlanta is also likely to pursue an interior offensive lineman, as left guard remains a question mark, and could still add to its cornerback, linebacker and running back rooms.
The 2023 NFL Draft will take place from Apr. 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.
Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.
Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the Si.com team page here
