It’s no secret that I want to change the 2021 draft of the NFL, but why? Atlanta will need its quarterback from the future, eventually, and this draft is absolutely loaded at the top. I prefer Zach Wilson about any defender that might be available, but I really like Justin Fields and Trey Lance also. However, returning to the seventh overall choice would present Atlanta with the best opportunity – for several reasons.
Look, I’m not going to sit here and take out the Lions; they do this to themselves and in 2021 it should be no different. Matthew Stafford was replaced by Jared Goff, which is a substantial downgrade, and they are likely to lose two of their other best players in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. To make things worse – Jeff Okudah had a very difficult debut season, and they don’t have many other building blocks on the team.
Lions may see Jared Goff as their starting defender for the future, but their new general manager Brad Holmes should know more than anyone else, since he has been in Los Angeles for the whole of Goff’s career. Detroit may be starving to acquire a quarterback, and teams like Jets, Eagles, Panthers, 49ers, Falcons and others are potentially on their way in the next draft. Atlanta has a lot of advantage in selecting fourth overall, and they should use that to get the first round of Detroit in 2022, if they can.
To look, Dan Campbell he’s an … interesting guy, to say the least. He has a lot of passion, but how are his Xs and Os? It will transform Jared Goff in a quarterback who will drag a terrible list into the playoffs? My money is in no. In fact, I think Lions are the favorites to choose first overall in 2022, unless Texans have something to say about it. Negotiating back with Detroit not only gives Atlanta a premium choice at seven to get an elite prospect, but they can also get their hands on the first choice in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In this scenario, Falcons have their choice of defenders in a deep class presenting Sam Howell, Kedon Slovis, Tyler Shough, or Spencer Rattler – but they also have a year to see if Matt Ryan it even needs to be replaced. Atlanta returning with Lions and selecting an impact player in a position of need along with other choices makes a lot of sense. When you consider Detroit’s prospects for 2022, it would be a dream scenario if Brad Holmes came along.