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Falcons: 3 options instead of Kyle Pitts in 2021 NFL Draft

By Hunter Neel

Nov 28, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 28, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 28, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) scores a touchdown during a football game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 28, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Falcons target Rashawn Slater. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

Invest in the offensive line

While many think Penei Sewell will be the first tackle off the board if the Falcons do look to address the offensive line it should be Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater, not Sewell as the pick. Now, I have written previously about how Slater is my OT1, and reports are that many in the league believe the same thing.

We have seen some of the biggest names in NFL Draft media announce that Slater has a chance to be OT1. This includes the likes of NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who talks to many league officials and has Slater as the top lineman back in late November. We have Lance Zierlein, an NFL Draft analyst for NFL.com, who agreed with Jeremiah stating that Slater is better. And finally, we have Matt Miller, formerly of Bleacher Report and who is very well connected, stating that multiple area scouts and scouting directors he has spoken to believe Slater is the best tackle in the class.

Slater offers great position versatility, with the potential to play all five positions. He should get a fair chance to play tackle, as I think he can be very successful there, but if not he also could fill the hole at left guard for the Falcons or even potentially center if Matt Hennessy is not the guy. If the Falcons do not draft a quarterback and want to stay firm at four, the pick should be Slater, not Pitts, as it gives much more to the offense both now and projecting forward. While Pitts is a phenomenal talent, the offensive line is also a big need and arguably a much more valuable position.

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