2021 NFL Mock Draft: Zach Wilson rises to Jets at No. 2 in 3-round projection

This one might be the first real surprise as the Atlanta Falcons take Kyle Pitts at No. 4 overall. Many of the recent mocks have had them going quarterback, and they still very well could. However, in this mock, they decide to go a different route. Head coach Arthur Smith had success in Tennessee with a veteran quarterback in Ryan Tannehill and will look to find similar success with Matt Ryan.

While Ryan is in his mid-30s, he’s still been putting up good numbers and has the ability to lead a team to success on the offensive side of the ball. That becomes even easier for him with the addition of Pitts, who is hands-down the best tight end in the class. While Atlanta does have former first-round pick Hayden Hurst under contract, Pitts would still be a good addition. He’s more of a dynamic receiving threat than Hurst and Smith would surely like to be able to employ both in the same offense.

Atlanta making this move could be enough to once again make their offense elite, but it would not be without criticism. There will be those who felt they should have gone for a quarterback this season when they had the chance. There will also be those who believe the only substitute for a signal-caller at this point would have been a defensive player. While there’s merit to those arguments, the new regime decides to try and win now by loading up in offensive firepower.