Alabama Football: Patrick Surtain could become a Falcon

The Atlanta Falcons might draft Alabama football’s Patrick Surtain II

The 2021 NFL Draft essentially starts at fourth overall. Fans know that quarterbacks will be taken with the three first picks, and most believe that Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Alabama football‘s Mac Jones will be the players drafted. If that happens, the Atlanta Falcons hold all of the cards.

While the Falcons could simply stay put and take a quarterback, there is a chance that they will trade down to add more assets. Adam Schefter tweeted that they have been in talks to trade back.

When you look at who might be moving up, one team jumps off of the page. While teams like the Patriots and Washington need quarterbacks, they have limited capital to make it worth trading back into the teens of the first round. However, the Denver Broncos are slated to pick at ninth overall, and they could be looking to trade up with the Falcons.

If that happens, Atlanta would likely be unable to draft Penei Sewell or Kyle Pitts. They don’t need a wide receiver, so they would likely be looking to add a defensive player. That is where we could see Alabama football’s Patrick Surtain come off the board.

Surtain has elite traits that can’t be denied. He eliminated entire sides of the field in college against the best receivers in college football. With players like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Michael Thomas in the division, it is crucial for Atlanta to have solid corner depth.

The Falcons drafted A.J. Terrell last year in the first round, but they could still double down on the position. If they don’t want a quarterback and can’t take OT1 or Kyle Pitts, Surtain would make a lot of sense.

Many Alabama football fans are also Falcons fans, and this would pair Surtain with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley in Atlanta. While they have a lot of work to do, drafting Patrick Surtain would be a key step in the right direction.