The Atlanta Falcons built the young nucleus of their current roster using top-10 overall picks in the NFL Draft.
It began in 2021 when Atlanta took Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4 overall, beginning a run of three straight years of landing legit stars in the top 10. The following year the Falcons picked USC wide receiver Drake London at No. 8 overall and then Texas running back Bijan Robinson at the same spot in 2023. The jury is still out on quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who went to Atlanta, again at No. 8 overall in 2024.
The Falcons got James Pearce Jr. at pick 26 the following year and didn’t have a first this year thanks to the trade up to get him. If all goes according to plan, Atlanta won’t be picking until at least the 20s next year.
If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans – and nowhere is that more evident than in the NFL, where the best-laid plans can get blown up on one bad snap.
In a new projection from Justin Melo at NFL Draft on SI, he has the Falcons finishing the season with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2027 draft.
That’s an appropriate number, because if Atlanta once again ends the year outside of the playoffs it will more than likely be because they didn’t get enough out of No. 9, worn by Penix – nor by his primary backup/competition Tua Tagovailoa. Both have serious potential but a team is paying Tua $100 million to not play for them this year and Penix’s extensive history of major knee injuries is more than just a little concerning.
Assuming Pearce isn’t suspended more than four games by the NFL, the Falcons should have more than enough talent to take the NFC South crown this season – and winning 10 games is a very realistic if optimistic goal.
Truth is they’ve been close for a while – Atlanta has just been missing that one all-important piece of the puzzle in their backfield. Until they find another star to pair with Bijan Robinson or at least a solid starter who they can rely on more often than not, a top-10 pick is definitely a possibility.
If the Falcons do end up in that spot again, it will be difficult to rule out a high pick at QB who may push Penix or Tagovailoa out.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2027 NFL Draft projection has Atlanta sliding back into another top-10