Atlanta Falcons are huge winners in the 49ers draft trade

The Atlanta Falcons have multiple options now on the clock in the NFL Draft thanks to San Francisco 

When a team is trading away three future first-round picks to move up, that means they are drafting a quarterback. Like it or not, Jimmy Garoppolo’s days with the San Francisco 49ers are nearing its end.

The 49ers are betting it all by moving into the top-three thanks to a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins. Not only does this indicate they will be taking a quarterback, but they believe that the person they think can enhance the offense won’t be available at their original pick No. 12.

San Francisco is hopeful to walk away a winner in the long-term with the new field general at the helm. However, the real winner of the trade right now comes to the pick after Kyle Shanahan is off the clock.

The Atlanta Falcons have multiple options when pick at No. 4. Perhaps the best one of all? The asking price just exploded to move up come April 29.

NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons have options on the clock

Everything Atlanta does will be based off the pick before. A new head coach in Arthur Smith could be looking to build his system around a young franchise quarterback. The problem there is that Atlanta is tied to Matt Ryan’s contract for at least another two seasons.

As of now, scouts believe that Alabama’s Mac Jones is well on the radar for San Francisco. He look into Shanahan’s past shows he likes working with quarterbacks that have high accuracy rates. Jones reset the record for accuracy in a single-season with the Crimson Tide, connecting on 77.4 percent of his throws.

If that’s the selection, Smith and new GM Terry Fontenot would have to decide if they would like to rebuild with Ohio State’s Justin Fields or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance. If they trust that Ryan still has upside for three-plus seasons, the ideal option would be to trade down and fix the defense.

Atlanta needs pieces everywhere for Dean Pees to be successful in the NFC South. Outside of Deion Jones, AJ Terrell and Grady Jarrett, everyone is replaceable in the new look. However, in a heavy quarterback class, picking a cornerback or linebacker at No. 4 has little value.

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Washington, Carolina and Denver all could be considered when looking at trade partners. At the value for the pick, it would cost at least two mid-round selections over the next two drafts or perhaps even a first-rounder should Washington make the jump. From there, Atlanta could target Penn State’s Micah Parsons or South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn to fix the pass rush or secondary.

If Fields or Lance isn’t worth the rebuild, Atlanta’s best bet on winning draft weekend is to move outside their selection. Thanks to San Francisco, the asking price should bode well in their favor.