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2021 NFL Draft: 49ers bulk up secondary in full Round 1 mock

By Peter Panacy

University of Alabama's Patrick Surtain II (2) Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
University of Alabama's Patrick Surtain II (2) Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Fields, Ohio State Buckeyes
Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

. Quarterback. Atlanta Falcons. Justin Fields. 4. player. 44

2021 NFL Draft: Falcons select quarterback Justin Fields, Ohio State

There are plenty of signs the Atlanta Falcons will stick with their veteran quarterback, Matt Ryan, in 2021.

But while there are some serious needs in Atlanta on both sides of the ball, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invest the No. 4 overall pick elsewhere, it’s simply too hard for the Falcons to pass up on the opportunity to grab Ryan’s eventual successor.

And in the case of Ohio State’s Justin Fields, it’s about as easy a decision there could be.

Forget Fields having difficulty against Alabama during the CFB Playoff Championship game. Fields was on his mark, only to be let down by both his offensive line and receiving targets. And even though he’s the No. 3 quarterback selected in this year’s draft, he’d be the shoo-in No. 1 QB off the boards in other classes without a doubt.

Fields can sit behind Ryan for a year and learn the ropes, which isn’t the worst of situations.