2021 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after Super Bowl LV
Justin Fields. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 44. QB. Ohio State. 4. player
Although he’s given the Falcons some good years and plenty of wins — even a Super Bowl appearance — Matt Ryan is no Tom Brady. He’s 35 years old, but it’s pretty obvious that he’s past his prime and the organization may be ready to move on and find his replacement with the fourth pick.
Ryan could even be traded this offseason, but it would be smart to hang onto him and maybe draft his eventual replacement to learn for a year.
Who could be his replacement? Justin Fields, come back home. The Georgia-native began his career at the University of Georgia before transferring to Ohio State and winning a couple of Big Ten titles and making two appearances in the playoff. He could come back home to lead the team he grew up watching.
Atlanta could use a more mobile quarterback, too, in order to keep up with the rest of the league and Fields is just that. He’s a strong-bodied mobile quarterback with a strong arm and he makes good decisions. In fact, he had 41 touchdowns with just three interceptions in 2019. He had 22 touchdowns with six picks in 2020.
In two years with Ohio State, he passed for 5,373 yards and 63 touchdowns and completed over 68 percent of his throws. He also rushed for over 750 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Atlanta would be getting a really good one here and the post-Ryan era won’t be so scary after all.