Falcons trade up for a QB in The Athletic’s new 2024 mock draft

The Atlanta Falcons have plenty to be excited about going into the 2024 season, but they still need to figure out the most important position on the roster. Quarterback rumors have been piling up at an alarming rate over the last few weeks and they’re unlikely to stop until the team makes a move.

Speculation about Justin Fields and Kirk Cousins continues to grow as Atlanta is currently the betting favorite for both players in 2024. Whether or not the team adds a veteran quarterback during the offseason, the draft has too many talented QB prospects for the Falcons to pass on taking one.

Will they stay at No. 8 and take someone like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, or will they look to go after one of the top three QBs — Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye — in the class? The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released a new mock draft which has Atlanta trading up to pick No. 3 and taking Daniels out of LSU:

After years in salary-cap hell, would the Falcons be open to throwing a massive check at Kirk Cousins? Many in the league believe so, which speaks to Atlanta’s craving to upgrade at quarterback. But if Cousins elects to stay in Minnesota, the Falcons trading up to No. 3 feels like the next likeliest option. Owner Arthur Blank once signed off on a trade that surrendered a massive haul of draft picks to jump up for a wide receiver (Julio Jones). He won’t hesitate to do it again if it means landing the upgrade at quarterback his franchise has been coveting. Is Daniels that guy? It’s a strong possibility. — Dane Brugler, The Athletic

Daniels won the Heisman Trophy this year after his 40-touchdown, four-interception season for the Tigers. Falcons fans would likely be happy with landing LSU’s dual-threat, however, it wouldn’t be cheap.

Brugler had the team giving up two first-round picks and a second-rounder to the Patriots to move up five spots. It just comes down to whether or not the front office feels the move is worth the risk. After missing the playoffs for six straight seasons, I’d say it’s time to take a gamble.

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