A mock NFL draft posted Thursday at CBS Sports.com has the Falcons selecting Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
That’s a draft scenario that would excite the team’s fan best and help get fans back in the stadium.
Fields, who started his career at Georgia before transferring to Ohio State, played at Harrison High School.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has three years remaining on his contract. The Falcons could let Fields serve an apprenticeship under Ryan like Kansas City did with Patrick Mahomes and Alex Smith. When Mahomes was ready, the traded Alex Smith.
The Packers did the same with Aaron Rodgers when they had Brett Favre.
Mahomes led the Chiefs to the Super Bowl in his second season as a starter. Rodgers is still rolling in Green Bay and has a Super Bowl to his credit also.
Here’s what Josh Edwards of CBS Sports wrote about the pick:
“The Georgia native remains in local to play for Atlanta. The Falcons will welcome a new head coach and may not like the prospects of Matt Ryan long-term. As Ryan’s contract is currently constructed, it would be difficult for Atlanta to move on from him in 2021. However, the idea of drafting Justin Fields and stashing him for a year is not a bad option.”
CBS projects the Falcons to pick fifth. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, of Rome, went No. 1 overall to the New York Jets is this mock draft.
Falcons’ final three games
Buccaneers at Falcons at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20
Falcons at Chiefs at 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 27
Falcons at Buccaneers at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 3
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