The Atlanta Falcons' QB Problem Could Turn Them Into Draft Tank Candidates
The tanking plague that infected the NBA last season might already be spreading to the NFL. We're not even through the 2026 offseason, and one NFC team is already getting the side-eye from analysts who think they could be headed straight toward a top pick in the 2027 draft.
The usual suspects were already circling: the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Arizona Cardinals all figured to be in the hunt for Arch Manning and Dante Moore. But now the Atlanta Falcons are getting thrown into that conversation too. And honestly? Their situation is getting harder to ignore.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiA Quarterback Situation That Could Doom Them
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox laid out the problem plainly: the Falcons are "most likely to tank" ahead of next year's draft. But here's the thing,Knox is clear that they're not intentionally trying to lose. The problem is, they might tank anyway because of circumstances completely out of their control.
The Falcons finished 8-9 last season, which is brutal enough on its own. But their quarterback situation is a nightmare wrapped inside a crisis. Kirk Cousins? He's in Vegas now with the Raiders. Tagovailoa hasn't played well since the 2023 season. Michael Penix Jr. is coming off a torn ACL. That's not a roster built to compete.
Coaching Changes Make It Worse
Knox believes the constant churning of coaches around Atlanta is only making things worse. But the quarterback issue is the real killer. As he puts it: "If the Falcons can get above-average quarterback play, they're more likely to be in the playoff mix than the race for a top draft choice."
The problem? Atlanta has no guarantee they're getting reliable quarterback play. So they could end up shopping for guys like LaNorris Sellers, USC's Jayden Maiava, or Notre Dame's C.J. Carr for Kevin Stefanski's offense. The Jets, Cardinals, and Dolphins might be in worse shape overall, but don't sleep on Atlanta's chances to land themselves a high pick and a fresh start at quarterback.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.