2021 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Football Team goes offense in Round 1
Atlanta Falcons. Zach Wilson. 4. player. 44. . Quarterback
The Falcons could go in a few different directions here, but landing a successor to Matt Ryan should be a priority. Ryan is 35 and while he hasn’t slowed down yet, it’s fair to wonder just how much time he has left in the NFL.
It’s not often that teams get the No. 4 overall pick either, so in a strong quarterback class, the Falcons can take advantage of the availability of Zach Wilson.
Wilson is coming off a prolific campaign for the Cougars during which he burst onto the scene as a passer. He led BYU’s charge to the top 25 this year and posted a 73.5 percent completion rate, 3,692 passing yards, 33 passing TDs, and just three picks on the season. He also ran for 10 scores.
Wilson has a cannon of an arm and great playmaking ability. He’s mobile and throws very well on the run. On numerous occasions for the Cougars, he ran out of the pocket and tossed a deep shot down the field perfectly into his receiver’s hands.
In some ways, Wilson is reminiscent of a bigger Johnny Manziel. While Manziel flamed out as a pro, he was an elite playmaker on the field in college. No play was ever dead when he was on the field, and the enduring image of him avoiding Alabama defenders and completing a touchdown pass after a seven-second scramble will continue to haunt the Crimson Tide faithful.
Wilson is very similar in his ability to avoid pressure and make downfield plays and comes without the off-field baggage that plagued Manziel.
That said, Wilson may need some time to develop at the next level. BYU didn’t play a lot of high-level competition during Wilson’s final season with the Cougars and Wilson was a bit of a one-year wonder. The Falcons have that luxury thanks to the presence of Ryan, so this would make Wilson a great fit here.
Plus, Arthur Smith did a great job working with Ryan Tannehill and helping him improve with the Tennessee Titans. He should be able to work well with Wilson, especially if the rookie is honing his game behind the scenes.
The Falcons could consider Fields here if Wilson goes No. 2 overall. Trey Lance would be another option if he rises above Wilson or Fields during the draft process. And if they decide to build around Ryan to give him a few more shots at a title, taking a guy like Sewell or adding some pass rush help via a trade down would make the most sense.