- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,152,629
- Reaction score
- 59
The Atlanta Falcons have too much talent not to compete this season, but to say they are in win-now mode might be a stretch. With a new head coach and an open quarterback competition, the Falcons are already a few steps behind their competition in the NFC South.
For these reasons, many analysts are steering clear of Atlanta this season. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2017, and it's going to be tough to end the streak in 2026. Some have even started looking ahead to 2027 when the Falcons will have $100 million in salary cap space and a draft class that includes a first-round pick.
If either Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa can solidify the quarterback position this season, the Falcons would be set up for success next year and beyond. On the flip side, if neither QB is able to step up in 2026, Atlanta could end up targeting one in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The Falcons did just that in a new mock draft from Bleacher Report, which projects them to select Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr with the No. 8 pick.
"General manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski weren't part of the brain trust that drafted Michael Penix Jr.," wrote B/R's Brent Sobleski. "This group may have brought in Tua Tagovailoa, but the former Miami Dolphins' first-round pick signed a one-year, prove-it deal. Kevin Stefanski never got the quarterback situation right in Cleveland, even after being handed Baker Mayfield."
So, what would the Falcons be getting in Carr?
"CJ Carr gives Stefanski a smooth operator, who can efficiently run the coach's offensive system," Sobleski added. "The Notre Dame product presents Brock Purdy-like potential working in that particular scheme."
Carr is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound pocket passer. Last season, he passed for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing over 66 percent of his throws for the Fighting Irish.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2027 NFL mock draft: Falcons add Notre Dame QB CJ Carr in top 10
Continue reading...
For these reasons, many analysts are steering clear of Atlanta this season. The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2017, and it's going to be tough to end the streak in 2026. Some have even started looking ahead to 2027 when the Falcons will have $100 million in salary cap space and a draft class that includes a first-round pick.
If either Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa can solidify the quarterback position this season, the Falcons would be set up for success next year and beyond. On the flip side, if neither QB is able to step up in 2026, Atlanta could end up targeting one in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The Falcons did just that in a new mock draft from Bleacher Report, which projects them to select Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr with the No. 8 pick.
"General manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski weren't part of the brain trust that drafted Michael Penix Jr.," wrote B/R's Brent Sobleski. "This group may have brought in Tua Tagovailoa, but the former Miami Dolphins' first-round pick signed a one-year, prove-it deal. Kevin Stefanski never got the quarterback situation right in Cleveland, even after being handed Baker Mayfield."
So, what would the Falcons be getting in Carr?
"CJ Carr gives Stefanski a smooth operator, who can efficiently run the coach's offensive system," Sobleski added. "The Notre Dame product presents Brock Purdy-like potential working in that particular scheme."
Carr is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound pocket passer. Last season, he passed for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing over 66 percent of his throws for the Fighting Irish.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2027 NFL mock draft: Falcons add Notre Dame QB CJ Carr in top 10
Continue reading...
