5 things to know about the Falcons on Monday

Here are five things to know about the Falcons on Monday:

1A. Draft is finally here. The Falcons hold the fourth overall pick in the draft, which is starts at 8 p.m. Thursday and runs through Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio.

1B. Julio Jones on trading block? Peter King of Football Morning in America speculated that the Falcons could be open to trading 7-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones in his latest NFL notes column. Others at league-own NFL Media reported that the Falcons have been receiving calls for Jones as a possible post-June 1 deal so that his salary cap would he split over two seasons. The Falcons did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the trade rumors and don’t normally comment on personnel matters.

2. Who’s picking? Here’s some advice for new general manager Terry Fontenot and his new lieutenants Kyle Smith and Dwuane Jones from Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil “The Godfather” Brandt and former Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik.

3. Falcons options. The Falcons have studied the quarterback prospects very closely, but could also take an offensive tackle, tight end or trade their pick in the first round to amass picks to fix their defense which ranked 29th of 32 in yards allowed (398.4) and 25th in points allowed (29.9 per game) in 2020.

4. Chris Lindstrom to help. Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom will make the Falcons selection in the second or third round.

5. Georgia flavor. Former Clemson standout Trevor Lawrence, of Cartersville, and Ohio State’s Justin Fields, of Harrison High, are expected to be selected in the top 10 of the NFL draft. Here’s a look at the history of quarterbacks from Georgia being taken in the NFL draft.

AJC’S POSITION-BY-POSITION SERIES

QUARTERBACKS: How far will Justin Fields drop in draft? | Top 10 QBs

RUNNING BACKS: Plenty of prospects to pick from | Top 10 RBs

WIDE RECEIVERS: Draft deep with talent | Top 10 WRs

TIGHT ENDS: Ability to create mismatches is key | Top 10 TEs

OFFENSIVE TACKLES: A ‘nasty’ bunch | Top 10 OTs

OFFENSIVE GUARDS/CENTERS: The men in the middle | Top 10 C/OGs

END RUSHERS: Pass on this draft stock | Top 10 DEs

DEFENSIVE TACKLES: One star among lackluster block | Top 10 DTs

LINEBACKERS: Deep class for position | Top 10 LBs

CORNERBACKS: Plethora of options for first two rounds | Top 10 CBs

SAFETIES: Falcons likely will add position player | Top 10 Safeties

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