Now that the Arthur Smith-Desmond Ridder experiment has come to an end, the Atlanta Falcons must find a new quarterback. Fortunately, there will be no shortage of quality quarterbacks available in this year’s draft class.
The projected No. 1 overall draft pick, USC QB Caleb Williams, officially declared for the 2024 draft on Monday. Williams passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Trojans in 2023.
Since I was 10, all I ever wanted to do was to play football. The journey would be empty without the people who have supported and loved me. I will Fight On forever and rep Hornsdown4Life. I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I am officially declaring for the NFL Draft.
✌🏽🤘🏽👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/6Ko9cbZ7S5
— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) January 15, 2024
Whether or not Williams is selected first overall, he’s a virtual lock for the top five. Other first-round options for the Falcons include North Carolina’s Drake Maye, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Washington’s Michael Penix.
One other name to watch is Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who also declared for the draft over the weekend. McCarthy led the Wolverines to a National Championship and is considered a first- or second-round prospect by most draft analysts.
Forever a Michigan Man 💙🙏 pic.twitter.com/0i50FzLsoB
— J.J. McCarthy (@jjmccarthy09) January 14, 2024
The Falcons are still in the process of finding a head coach, but most expect the team to address the QB position over the offseason. Atlanta has held five interviews thus far and the team has been linked to a handful of others.
