April 30, 2021
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – I’m thrilled with the Falcons first round selection! Bet Matt Ryan is too. Fontenot made the right move.
For a minute, I was thinking the best move would be to trade back and accumulate more quality picks in order to rebuild the defense. But obviously, nobody wanted to offer up a #1 pick in next year’s draft for Justin Fields or Mac Jones and make the trade up.
So, Fontenot stayed at 4. And took the draft’s #1 rated player not named Trevor Lawrence. As you know, it’s called taking the best available player.
But the smart move doesn’t stop there.
Apparently, finances require that we cut Julio Jones loose in a cost-cutting move salary cap wise.
So, with receiver Kyle Pitts in the fold now, the Julio exit won’t be a killer blow to the offense. With Pitts, Matt Ryan still has a match-up advantage in the passing game.
As you’ve probably heard me say on The “Buck & Hut” Show leading into the draft, I totally love Kyle Pitts skill set and it was on full display at Florida. Mullen had Pitts lining up all over the field. Tight-end flexed. Spilt out wide. At the slot. At X & Z. This man is a big receiver, not a tight-end.
Pitts is a weapon.
The rest of the story is this: Kyle Pitts is a high character guy! The Falcons are investing in a mature, hard-working young man. That counts for something in my book. Looks like the Falcons feel the same way.
As far as passing on Fields and Mac Jones, well they both landed in good spots. I wish them both the best. Justin is probably better off not here in his home town (lot of distractions) and Mac simply wasn’t a Top 5 pick.
Fontenot and I have the same NFL 1st Round Draft philosophy: Go get the Best Available Player!
And now, the new Falcons General Manager can go address all the needs this team has entering the 2021 season. Most of them are on defense.
That’s right, focus on needs in the rest of the draft.
Today we get the 2nd & 3rd rounds. Go find a corner and a safety. Please draft a quality defensive lineman! Focus on an interior offensive lineman too. The Falcons need to upgrade on the line of scrimmage!
Maybe pull in Asante Samuel, Jr. Or Alabama tackle Christian Barmore. Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari is available to come off the edge. Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey or Ohio State’s both Wyatt Davis look like a quality play.Nick Bolden at linebacker would be a nice addition. Maybe that TCU safety Trevon Moehrig?
Would you be shocked if Fontenot tool Stanford QB Davis Mills with today’s 2nd round pick? He can spin it and they said they would draft a QB.
Fontenot left the 1st round with a good first impression! Now, go get it done the rest of the way and let’s get this Atlanta Falcons team ready to go in 2021!
