Over the Cap projecting trio of compensatory picks for the Falcons in 2021 NFL Draft

It’s a new day in Atlanta. With a new head coach and general manager in place, the Falcons have officially begun their journey down the long, windy road to redemption. It’s anyone’s guess how quickly they can right the ship, but there’s reason to think this won’t be too lengthy a process. And we certainly hope that’s the case.

The 2021 NFL Draft will be a keystone moment for this new regime. They need to take some big swings and make solid contact. Terry Fontenot, in consultation with Arthur Smith, will get his first, and perhaps his most meaningful, chance to put his mark on the franchise. He will begin to chart a path out of the abject disaster that has been the past three years of Falcons football. But he will need as much draft capital as possible to accomplish that feat.

Over the Cap’s Nick Korte released his final compensatory picks prediction yesterday. Given the shenanigans that characterized the 2020 season, Korte acknowledged that he is less confident than usual in his final projection. That said, he has the Falcons receiving a pair of 5th round picks (Vic Beasley and De’Vondre Campbell) and a 6th round pick (Wes Schweitzer).

The additional draft capital definitely won’t hurt the Falcons’ cause. As for the picks themselves, I’ll say this: After all is said and done, Vic Beasley could have some sort of lasting, positive effects on the franchise. I didn’t see that coming. The Falcons have struck gold in the 5th round in recent years; perhaps that trend will continue.

Compensatory picks will be announced in early March. If things play out as Korte predicts, Fontenot will have some much-need, additional flexibility in the draft, and what’s not to like about that scenario?

Your thoughts about OTC’s final projection, Falcoholics?