The Falcons face a significant offseason dilemma centered around the quarterback position, a decision that falls into the hands of Arthur Blank despite the influence of Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson on Terry Fontenot and the front office. The available options are not as abundant as initially believed, with few candidates capable of meeting both short-term and long-term needs.
While Kirk Cousins could address immediate competitive requirements, his age of 35 suggests a limited duration of service. On the other hand, J.J. McCarthy emerges as a potential long-term prospect, although his immediate impact in the 2024 season might be modest.
The draft presents only two promising candidates who could serve as both a franchise quarterback and contribute to the Falcons’ competitiveness this season: Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. While Jayden Daniels could be a stellar draft pick, he may benefit from a season of learning behind an experienced veteran.
The prospect of landing one of these three players is diminishing, yet there remains a glimmer of hope, according to Lance Zierlein on The Move The Sticks podcast. He shared insights from an NFL evaluator who believes Drake Maye might experience a draft-day slide, drawing comparisons to Will Levis.
In his latest mock draft, Zierlein reaffirmed the notion of Drake Maye experiencing a draft-day fall. In this scenario, the Bears opt for Caleb Williams, the Commanders select Jayden Daniels, and the Patriots decide not to choose a quarterback. Eventually, Maye slips to the 5th pick, where the Chargers take him. In a surprising move, the Falcons trade up to secure Maye as their franchise quarterback, providing head coach Raheem Morris with a pivotal playmaker to lead the team.
Despite Maye’s inconsistencies in the previous season, his impressive traits and considerable upside make him an appealing choice for Atlanta. The prospect of such a move is seen as a dream scenario, and the idea of Terry Fontenot orchestrating a trade to acquire Maye is considered a significant accomplishment.
While acknowledging the potential challenges and expressing a hint of skepticism about the feasibility of this dream scenario, there is also a sense of optimism and a desire to embrace the possibility. The author refrains from being overly pessimistic, choosing instead to indulge in the hopeful fantasy of the Falcons landing Drake Maye.
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