Falcons: GM Terry Fontenot reveals he wants a quarterback

The Atlanta Falcons added another wrinkle to the 2021 NFL Draft, as their general manager, Terry Fontenot, gave some indication to his future plans. He discussed his process in evaluating players and coaches, but he outright stated some of the positions the Falcons plan to acquire.

According to Albert Breer at Sports Illustrated, Fontenot said he planned to “acquire at both [quarterback and wide receiver]” and “work hard to bring in competition”.

The Falcons currently hold the 4th overall pick in the NFL Draft, and with a quarterback heavy class, that means they are in a position to take top prospects such as Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson or North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance. The team is also in prime position to nab a top wide receiver prospect such as LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase or Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith if it chooses to do so.

Of course, the draft is not the only answer for bringing in a quarterback. Free agency is looming over the NFL, and the Falcons could choose to acquire pieces there, as they have about $20 million in cap space. However, there are more factors that show the team could draft quarterback Matt Ryan’s successor.

How many more years do Falcons give Matt Ryan?

Matt Ryan, 35, and wide receiver Julio Jones, 32, are aging, but no one should expect the team to move either in this offseason. Both are expensive, but they are still productive. If anything, the team seems inclined to have these two teach their successors. Ryan and Jones would be in the midst of a rebuild at the tail end of their career, and it’s clear that the Falcons plan to get younger.

Regardless of how Fontenot plans to acquire players at quarterback and wide receiver, he is clearly planning for life after Atlanta’s franchise faces. With the amount of talent in the draft and Atlanta’s rare top-five draft position, taking a quarterback may be something the new regime cannot pass.