Falcons ‘open to moving’ out of 4th overall pick

The Cincinnati Bengals are picking fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, and it is expected that the four teams picking in front of them are primed to select quarterbacks. Now we are hearing the Falcons, who pick fourth overall, are open to trading out of their pick.

What does this mean? Well it seems like Atlanta either isn’t confident a quarterback they’d like to have sit and learn behind Matt Ryan will be there are four, or they are all in on maximizing the closing window behind their 36-year-old quarterback. That could spell disaster for the Bengals, who it seemed like would have their choice of their preferred player among Penei Sewell, Ja’Marr Chase or Kyle Pitts, if the Falcons are unable to find a trade partner. However, when quarterbacks are on the line, it is unlikely that no one will be willing to move up to draft a franchise quarterback.

This may be a move that we will see made on draft night as there is still plenty of speculation on which quarterbacks will still be available at pick four after the Jaguars, Jets and 49ers get their picks in.

This still means the Cincinnati is probably in a great spot as it is very unlikely that a team will pay more a quarterback trade price for a non-quarterback such as Pitts or Chase. We have already seen the 49ers pay the Dolphins two future first round picks and a third to move from 12 to three, and then the Dolphins trade away one of their 2022 first round picks to move back to the sixth overall selection. Those are already pretty steep prices, but it is clear that getting into the top five picks costs way more. That means a team making that move is hoping to get a franchise changing player to match the price.

Overall, it is good news that if the Falcons weren’t intending to take a quarterback that they are open to moving back in such a stacked draft. Hopefully the team trading up just takes a quarterback, but either way Cincinnati is till sitting pretty.