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6 Teams under the most pressure to succeed in 2021 NFL Draft

By Tadhg Flynn

Nov 29, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan looks on from the sideline during the first half against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan looks on from the sideline during the first half against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons, 2021 NFL Draft
Atlanta Falcons, 2021 NFL Draft (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3. Atlanta Falcons (No. 4 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft)

The Atlanta Falcons face a difficult choice in this draft. They have a good but aging quarterback in Matt Ryan but, since their Super Bowl collapse, they have been unable to deliver success. Now with a top-five pick, they could have a shot at a new quarterback or at playmakers on either side of the ball to help take a step forward.

Last season, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley both struggled to stay on the field while Todd Gurley failed to produce as expected after signing him in free agency. Injuries along both lines also hindered the Falcons in 2020. The Falcons were underwhelming and, with Ryan’s age and cap hit, that’s not a good position for the franchise to be in.

The current roster is built precariously. A few alterations should make the team competitive but, with so much cap space dedicated to Ryan, there is not much wiggle room to change and grow. Every decision made needs to be a hit and that is why there is so much pressure on the Falcons with the No. 4 pick.

There are multiple top receivers and offensive players available this year and quarterbacks are expected to be selected with the first three picks. The Falcons sit in the next board slot. The Falcons must be interested in securing a talent as game-changing as Kyle Pitts or Ja’Marr Chase and they will be given that chance. They could also pick up the next best quarterback and have them learn under Ryan for the coming season.

There is a risk this would destabilize the roster but it might be the best long-term option. They could also flip their pick in a trade to a more desperate team. San Francisco’s trade with the Dolphins to secure pick No. 3 set the market price on draft picks (and more pointedly the price of the quarterback class).

Atlanta can ask for whatever it wants at their pick, restock their draft capital to rebuild in the coming years and likely still have a top receiver or lineman option left in the first round this year from their trade. New general manager Terry Fontenot is going to learn on draft night just how much pressure the franchise is under to get it right.

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