Could the Atlanta Falcons Snag Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud in 2023 NFL Draft?

Falcons have the No. 8 pick and a less-than-solid quarterback room, putting them in prime position to select Stroud should he fall far enough down the order.

Several teams have been tossed around as potential landing spots for Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud, but an unexpected destination might end up with the grand prize when all is said and done.

NFL analyst Ryan Wilson believes the Atlanta Falcons will spend the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft shopping for a new quarterback. If this is true, Stroud would be a great choice for the Falcons when they go on the clock.

Rumors have circled about Stroud dropping out of the top five picks. With the Falcons sitting eighth overall in the order (their only pick of the first round), they are in a good position to take advantage of the Rancho Cucamonga, California-native's fall.

Two quarterbacks spent time at quarterback with the Falcons in 2022: Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder.

Mariota had more snaps and games than Ridder, however, both had season completion percentages that ranked on the lower end of NFL QBs (Ridder with 63.5% and Mariota at 61.3%).

Since then, Mariota signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke came to Atlanta on a two-year, $20 million contract.

It would normally not make sense for a team with two quarterbacks to be shopping for a third, but Stroud could be the best QB prospect the Falcons have had a shot at in a long time.

Heinicke has been expected to serve as a depth-filling backup since he signed with Atlanta, and Ridder's so-so opening year in the league has left plenty to be desired (though there is some upside as well).

Add in the fact that the former Cincinnati Bearcat was an afterthought for the Falcons after they missed out on the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, and it seems like Ridder was brought on more as a consolation rather than a plan for the future.

Only time will tell if Stroud's next steps in Mercedes-Benz Stadium are as a member of the Falcons, but the potential is certainly there.

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft airs Thursday evening, beginning at 8 p.m. ET, on ESPN and the ESPN app.

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