Falcons Make Blockbuster Trade to Select Jayden Daniels in New Mock Draft
Despite a now-seven-year playoff drought, making the postseason is the expectation for the Atlanta Falcons in Year One under new coach Raheem Morris. This is exactly why general manager Terry Fontenot recognizes just how important it is that the team finds their franchise quarterback this offseason.
A new CBS Sports mock draft not only has the Falcons doing that but has them trading with the New England Patriots to acquire the No. 3 pick.
With that newly acquired No. 3 pick, CBS Sports projected the Falcons to select the reigning Heisman Trophy-winner and LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner enters the pros with 55 games of experience as a starter (29 at Arizona State, 26 at LSU), and he parlayed that experience into becoming the only player in FBS history with 12,000-plus career passing yards and 3,000-plus career rushing yards," CBS Sports writes. "He also became the only FBS player since the turn of the 21st century to average over 300 passing yards per game and 75 or more rushing yards per game in a season this past year."
Nov 25, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during warmups before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium.
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Thanks to the patient rebuilding process from Fontenot and co. over the last few years, the Falcons' offense, on paper, looks like a turnkey operation for its next franchise quarterback. One of the lone perks of not making the playoffs in the last seven years is that they've had three top-10 NFL Draft picks, which turned into three weapons: Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson.
Add in a quarterback like Daniels, and the Falcons seemingly boast one of the youngest cores in the league. At the very least, all they'd need from the rookie signal-caller is competence.
If his college career is anything to show for it, it seems like a low bar for the Tigers' quarterback, who put up video game numbers on the way to winning the Heisman. Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while rushing for 1,134 and 10 more scores in 12 games.
In the real world? We know that Atlanta is interested in trading for Chicago's young vet Justin Fields? But this is a compelling thought as well.
If the Falcons manage to trade into the top-three pick, it'd be the first time since 2008 that they have a pick in that range, and considering they took Matt Ryan back then, it'd seem fitting for them to draft a quarterback again.
